New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed stakeholders to accelerate preparations for the rollout of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) ahead of the mandatory implementation of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) from January 1, 2027.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, officials reviewed India’s readiness for SAF adoption, domestic fuel production, certification, supply chain development and compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) global carbon reduction framework, ANI reported.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the ministries of civil aviation, petroleum and natural gas, environment, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), oil marketing companies, airlines and airport operators.
Officials reviewed the progress of Sustainable Aviation Fuel production projects being developed by oil marketing companies, their commissioning timelines and measures required to ensure adequate fuel availability to meet demand from 2027.
Naidu said India was building a globally competitive SAF ecosystem that would support aviation growth while contributing to global decarbonisation efforts.
“SAF is not merely a compliance requirement but a strategic national opportunity. Multiple stakeholders, including farmers, stand to benefit from the SAF value chain,” he said.
The minister said India’s aviation sector has already made progress in reducing emissions, noting that 104 airports now operate on 100% green energy, compared with none in 2014. He added that the government’s efforts to promote aircraft leasing have enabled airlines to modernise their fleets with more fuel-efficient aircraft.
Naidu said the government’s immediate priority is to achieve the 1% SAF blending requirement under CORSIA in the most cost-effective manner while developing a long-term carbon credit offset mechanism through coordinated action across ministries.
The meeting also reviewed the proposed implementation roadmap for the SAF blending mandate, including the responsibilities of oil marketing companies, airlines and airport operators. Discussions covered the establishment of a national SAF Registry with end-to-end traceability, accounting and reporting systems aligned with ICAO requirements, and measures to facilitate certification and market access.
The minister said the draft SAF policy is in its final stages, with consultations continuing across ministries and industry stakeholders.
“We have to ensure that this process imposes the least possible burden on passengers and airlines. We need to identify the most cost-effective SAF production and supply pathways,” he said.
Participants also reviewed India’s preparedness for broader CORSIA implementation, including the issuance of Letters of Authorisation and the development of a CORSIA-compliant domestic carbon market framework.
Naidu said all stakeholders had been directed to expedite identified action points to ensure India is fully prepared before the mandatory phase of CORSIA comes into effect on January 1, 2027. India has announced a 1% SAF blending mandate for international flights from 2027, with higher blending targets planned in subsequent years as domestic production capacity expands.
