Indian Airlines to Integrate Sustainable Aviation Fuel to Cut Emissions

Indian ethanol supply and lipid feedstocks, such as non-edible industrial oils, could make India a major provider of sustainable aviation fuel, according to a top official at the international airline association IATA.

Decarbonization is the main focus of efforts to cut emissions, and Indian carriers have used a combination of standard aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) on various flights over the years.

The ecosystem for SAF has grown, but more has to be done, according to Hemant Mistry, Director of Net Zero Transition at the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

About 340 airlines, including Indian carriers, are represented by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which oversees more than 80% of all air travel worldwide. With its current and sophisticated ethanol sources, India, the world's third-largest producer and user of ethanol, has the potential to become a major producer of SAF.

"At IATA, we see sustainable, low-carbon-intensity ethanol as a promising feedstock to propel India's aviation sector growth," Mistry said.

IATA estimates that global SAF production will reach 1 million tonnes (1.3 billion liters) this year, which is less than the previous forecast of 1.5 million tonnes (1.9 billion liters), but more than the 0.5 million tonnes (600 million liters) recorded in 2023.