In a significant development towards decarbonizing of the aviation sector, India’s first commercial passenger flight using indigenously produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend was successfully flown on May 19.
Key points
- Air Asia flight (I5 767) flew from Pune to Delhi powered by SAF blended aviation turbine fuel (ATF) produced by Praj Industries Ltd by using indigenous feedstock, supplied by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and used by Air Asia.
- This would be the First domestic commercial passenger flight with SAF blending up to 1% as demonstration mode.
- Unlike traditional jet fuels, SAF is produced from renewable sources such as agricultural waste, municipal solid waste, and forestry residues.
- This means that SAF has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel.
- Production of SAF using sugarcane molasses as indigenous feedstock and technology in India is a major step towards self-reliance and de-carbonization of the aviation sector in line with our commitment for achieving Net Zero by 2070.
- SAF is a biofuel used to power aircraft that has similar properties to conventional jet fuel but with a smaller carbon footprint.
- Depending on the feedstock and technologies used to produce it, SAF can reduce life cycle GHG emissions dramatically compared to conventional jet fuel. Some emerging SAF pathways even have a net-negative GHG footprint.
- SAFs lower carbon intensity makes it an important solution for reducing aviation GHGs.
