SYLLABUS
GS-3: Infrastructure: Energy.
Context: The Government has notified an amendment to the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001, to bring ATF blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) under its regulatory ambit.
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- The amendment expands the definition of ATF, which was earlier limited to petroleum-based fuels meeting BIS standards.
- It now includes fuels blended with sustainable or synthetic hydrocarbons such as SAF.
- This provides legal clarity and allows oil companies to blend and supply SAF within the existing regulatory framework. The move aligns India with the global carbon-reduction mechanism known as CORSIA, which becomes mandatory in 2027.
- The move is aligned with India’s broader strategy to transition toward cleaner fuels, reduce dependence on crude oil imports, and comply with global climate commitments.
- It also prepares the aviation sector for upcoming international emission regulations under International Civil Aviation Organization frameworks.
About Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a renewable aviation fuel made from alternative feedstocks such as agricultural residues, waste oils, municipal waste, and non-food crops.
- It consists of aviation-grade hydrocarbons chemically similar to conventional jet fuel, ensuring compatibility with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure.
- It can be produced through multiple pathways, including Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), where ethanol is processed into high-energy jet fuel comparable to conventional ATF.
- SAF undergoes rigorous certification under ASTM standards and is approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization for aviation use.
- Currently, SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel (typically up to 50%) and used without modifying aircraft or infrastructure.
Benefits of SAF
- Decarbonisation Potential: SAF alone is expected to contribute over 60% of the global aviation sector’s decarbonisation efforts, making it the most critical near-term solution for reducing aviation emissions.
- Engine and Infrastructure Compatibility: SAF blended with conventional jet fuel can be used in existing aircraft engines and fuel infrastructure without requiring major modifications.
- Lower Emissions: Compared to conventional jet fuel, 100% SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%, depending on the feedstock and production pathway.
- Operational Flexibility: SAF acts as a drop-in replacement fuel and can be produced from a wide range of feedstocks using multiple technological pathways.
Challenges of SAF
- High Production Cost: SAF currently costs nearly three times more than conventional aviation fuel, limiting its commercial viability.
- Airline Resistance: Airlines remain cautious about adopting SAF due to concerns over increased operational costs and reduced profitability.
- Delayed Domestic Mandates: India plans to mandate SAF blending for domestic flights only after 2027, which slows down demand creation and large-scale adoption.
- Supply and Scale Limitations: Limited availability of sustainable feedstocks and underdeveloped production infrastructure restrict the ability to scale SAF to meet growing aviation demand.
- Ethanol Feedstock Constraint: Large-scale SAF production using ethanol can increase pressure on sugarcane and other feedstocks, making sustainability dependent on the timely expansion of second-generation (2G) ethanol from agricultural residues.
India’s SAF Blending Roadmap
- India has announced indicative SAF blending targets for international flights:
- 1% by 2027
- 2% by 2028
- 5% by 2030
- No mandatory targets have yet been set for domestic flights.
- India’s approach focuses on:
- Gradual scaling aligned with global mandates
- Promoting domestic SAF production
- Integrating ethanol and synthetic hydrocarbons into aviation fuel
- Globally, countries are moving faster:
- EU: 2% (2025) → 70% (2050)
- UK: 10% by 2030
- Japan: 10% by 2030
- Singapore: 1% (2026) → 3–5% (2030)
- Globally, SAF has already been used in over 360,000 flights and is considered the most viable near-term solution for decarbonising aviation.