New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday dismissed claims that the Centre was planning to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), calling the allegations “completely false and irresponsible.”
In a post on social media platform X, Naidu said there was no proposal to blend ethanol with aviation fuel and warned that spreading misinformation about aviation safety could create unnecessary anxiety among air travellers, The New Indian Express reported.
“There is no such proposal. Spreading misinformation on aviation safety only creates needless anxiety among air travellers,” the minister said, adding that passenger safety remains the government’s highest priority.
Naidu’s remarks came in response to allegations made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who claimed the Centre was considering ethanol blending in ATF and questioned the safety of such a move.
Clarifying the issue, the minister said ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are entirely different fuels and should not be confused.
He said SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is already being adopted globally. According to the minister, SAF undergoes rigorous testing and complies with stringent international safety standards before being approved for aviation use.
Aviation experts also said ethanol cannot simply be blended with aviation turbine fuel because of technical and chemical compatibility issues. They noted that while ethanol is commonly blended with petrol, it is not compatible with diesel or conventional jet fuel without extensive scientific evaluation.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced from renewable feedstocks and can reduce lifecycle carbon dioxide emissions by 65% to 80% compared with conventional jet fuel.
The International Civil Aviation Organization has identified SAF as the most effective pathway for achieving the aviation sector’s goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and is supporting member countries in expanding its production and use through training and technical assistance.
