India Unveils Roadmap for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production
New Delhi: India released a feasibility study today, outlining a roadmap to produce Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), a renewable fuel aimed at reducing the aviation sector’s carbon footprint, as the nation targets self-sufficiency and global leadership in green aviation. The study, launched by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the European Union, outlines how India’s vast biomass resources can support a sustainable aviation sector amid rapid growth in air travel.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a renewable or waste-derived fuel that can reduce lifecycle carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel, according to the study. Conducted under ICAO’s Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ACT-SAF) Programme, the report assesses India’s potential to produce and utilise SAF, evaluating domestic feedstock availability, production pathways, infrastructure, policy readiness, and conditions needed for a robust SAF market. It draws on international best practices, tailored to India’s socio-economic and environmental context, to guide sustainable fuel adoption.
The study was released at a launch event in New Delhi, addressed by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Faiz Ahmed, and Jane Hupe, Deputy Director Environment, Air Transport Bureau, ICAO. A two-day workshop at Udaan Bhawan, attended by ICAO, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), industry partners, and government departments, is discussing the findings to shape India’s SAF policy framework.
Naidu emphasised SAF’s role in decarbonising aviation, stating, “SAF is a practical and immediate solution to decarbonise the aviation sector, with the potential to cut lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuel.” He highlighted India’s resource advantage, noting, “With over 750 million metric tonnes of available biomass and nearly 230 million metric tonnes of surplus agricultural residue, India has the capacity not only to meet its own SAF demand but also to emerge as a global leader and exporter.” Naidu set blending targets of 1% SAF in aviation turbine fuel by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030, aligning with ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) mandate.
Key milestones include the designation of COTECNA Inspection India Pvt. Ltd. as India’s first SAF certification body and the certification of Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery as the country’s first SAF producer. “These steps lay the foundation for a robust SAF ecosystem,” said Naidu, adding that SAF production could reduce crude oil imports by $5–7 billion annually and cut emissions by 20–25 million tonnes yearly while boosting farmers’ incomes through agricultural residue use.
Sinha underscored India’s environmental commitment, stating, “Global warming is a collective challenge and mitigating its impact is a shared responsibility.” He noted that India operates one of the world’s youngest and most fuel-efficient aircraft fleets, with 88 airports running on 100% green energy, per 2025 ministry data. Ahmed highlighted India’s aviation growth, saying, “India is the third-largest aviation market, with passenger traffic expected to double to 500 million by 2030. The SAF Feasibility Study will provide strategic insights to shape India’s national SAF policy framework, ensuring that sustainability remains integral to India’s aviation growth story.”
The study leverages India’s abundant feedstocks, including energy crops, agricultural waste, and municipal solid waste, to position the country as a potential SAF exporter. However, challenges remain: SAF production costs are up to six times higher than fossil kerosene, per 2025 industry estimates, and global SAF supply is only 0.7% of jet fuel demand. Scaling infrastructure, ensuring certification standards, and integrating rural supply chains for biomass collection are critical hurdles, as India’s aviation fuel consumption is projected to reach 16 million tonnes by 2030, per ministry forecasts.
The workshop at Udaan Bhawan reflects a whole-of-government approach, with discussions aimed at finalising policy steps to meet blending targets. The study’s release, ahead of ICAO’s 42nd Assembly in Montreal later in September 2025, positions India to align with global sustainability goals under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). While the report marks a step toward a greener aviation sector, its success depends on overcoming economic and logistical barriers in a rapidly growing market.
– global bihari bureau
