Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) a practical and immediate solution to decarbonize the aviation sector , says Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) a practical and immediate solution to decarbonize the aviation sector , says Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu
Ministry of Civil Aviation, in partnership with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and with support from the European Union has officially released the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Feasibility Study for India here today.
The launch event was addressed by Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, Secretary of Civil Aviation Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, Director General of Civil Aviation Shri Faiz Ahmed and Ms. Jane Hupe, Deputy Director Environment, Air Transport Bureau, ICAO.
Undertaken under the ICAO ACT-SAF Programme, the feasibility study assesses the potential for producing and utilizing drop-in Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in India. It evaluates domestic feedstock availability, viable production pathways, infrastructure and policy readiness and the enabling conditions needed to establish a robust domestic SAF market. Drawing upon international best practices and tailoring them to India’s socio-economic and environmental context, the report provides a roadmap for sustainable fuel adoption.
The study is being deliberated at a two-day workshop at Udaan Bhawan, New Delhi, with participation from ICAO, EASA, DGCA, industry partners, and multiple government departments, reflecting a whole-of-government approach towards SAF.
Welcoming stakeholders to this landmark event, the Minister underscored SAF’s critical role in advancing India’s sustainable aviation growth. He reaffirmed India’s readiness to become self-sufficient in SAF production, targeting 1% blending by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 in line with the CORSIA mandate.
The Minister stated, “SAF is a practical and immediate solution to decarbonize the aviation sector, with the potential to cut lifecycle CO₂ emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional fuel”. He further highlighted that 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.
Shri Ram Mohan Naidu pointed to important milestones already achieved, including the designation of COTECNA Inspection India Pvt. Ltd. as the country’s first SAF certification body and the certification of Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery as India’s first SAF producer.
The Minister emphasized that SAF production will not only reduce crude imports and cut emissions by 20-25 million tonnes annually, but also boost farmers’ incomes by creating a strong value chain for agricultural residue and biomass.
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India is on track to become the world’s largest domestic aviation market. With a collaborative approach, we are committed to positioning India as a leader in green aviation”, Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu added.
The Secretary underlined that global warming is a collective challenge and mitigating its impact is a shared responsibility. He reiterated India’s commitment to the UNFCCC framework and emphasized that India already operates one of the youngest and most fuel-efficient aircraft fleets in the world. He also noted that 88 airports have already transitioned to 100% green energy usage, setting benchmarks for global best practices.
The DGCA DG highlighted India’s position as the third-largest aviation market, with passenger traffic expected to double to 500 million by 2030. He stated that 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 SAF Feasibility Report marks a significant step in the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s commitment to creating a robust SAF ecosystem in India. This vision is anchored in a long-term policy framework that supports both the production and utilization of sustainable aviation fuels. With strong supply-side dynamics and significant sources of low carbon-intensity feedstocks such as energy crops, agricultural waste and Municipal Solid Waste, India holds immense potential to emerge as a global leader in SAF production.