India is launching a pilot project to introduce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, marking a major step towards decarbonizing its aviation sector.
India is taking a significant stride towards a sustainable aviation future with the announcement of a pilot project to introduce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
The pilot is strategically placed in Delhi due to a critical piece of existing infrastructure: a dedicated pipeline from the Indian Oil Corporation's (IOC) Panipat refinery, which supplies Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) directly to the airport depot. IOC recently received certification to produce SAF, which will initially be a blend created using the Hydroprocessed Esters and Fatty Acids (HEFA) pathway. Crucially, the feedstock for this fuel includes readily available domestic resources like used cooking oil and even rice straw (parali).
The launch comes as India is in the process of framing a comprehensive national policy to support the SAF segment. This effort aligns with India's commitments under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which applies to international flights. While India chose not to participate in the voluntary phases, offsetting requirements for Indian carriers will become mandatory starting in 2027.
To meet these future obligations, the Centre is planning indicative blending targets, starting with a one per cent SAF blend in ATF in 2027, escalating to two per cent in 2028, and aiming for five per cent by 2030.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu has expressed confidence in India's potential to become a global leader in SAF production, citing two primary natural advantages. "The first advantage is our geography, which allows us to become an exporter, and the second is the massive availability of feedstock," the Minister explained.
India's potential feedstock capacity is immense, with over 750 million tonnes of available biomass and nearly 230 million tonnes of surplus agricultural residue that can be converted into SAF. This enormous domestic supply capability is projected to exceed India's own domestic demand, positioning the country to become a major exporter of green fuel. Given that India currently exports about 50% of its ATF production, this transition into a SAF exporter appears to be a natural progression, underscoring the nation's commitment to sustainability in the global aviation industry. The Delhi pilot is the first tangible step on this ambitious journey to make Indian skies significantly greener.
