India proposes 1% mandatory blending of green jet fuel from January

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has circulated a draft policy of sustainable aviation fuel usage which proposes an initial blending mandate of 1% for international flights. The proposal, a copy of which was seen by ET, has outlined a two-phase roadmap, with SAF blending targeted to rise to 5% by 2030 in the first phase, and then to 20% by 2040 in the second.

SAF is a liquid fuel that can be blended with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) without the need to develop new planes or engines. It can potentially reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.

In October 2022, member states of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had agreed to a long-term aspirational goal (LTAG) of net-zero carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from aviation by 2050. SAF has long been seen as the industry’s fastest way to reduce emissions.

According to the draft, domestic and international airlines must uplift nearly 90% of their annual aviation turbine fuel (ATF) needs from international airports in India. This is aimed at preventing what the Centre describes as ‘economic tankering’. It involves airlines carrying additional fuel from another airport to avoid purchasing fuel at a destination where it is more expensive, ultimately affecting fuel demand and airport operations.

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Airlines and oil marketing companies (OMCs) could also face penalties for failing to comply with the proposed SAF blending requirements, per the draft.
However, airlines in talks with the government have stressed that despite policy push, unless the production cost of sustainable aviation fuel is brought down, it will be difficult to reach emission targets.