The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in collaboration with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and backed by the European Union, officially launched the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Feasibility Study for India today.
The event was attended by key dignitaries including Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Ram Mohan Naidu, Civil Aviation Secretary Shri Samir Kumar Sinha, Director General of Civil Aviation Shri Faiz Ahmed, and Ms. Jane Hupe, Deputy Director of Environment at ICAO’s Air Transport Bureau.
Conducted under the ICAO ACT-SAF Programme, the study explores the potential for producing and deploying drop-in Sustainable Aviation Fuel in India. It analyzes the availability of domestic feedstocks, viable production pathways, existing infrastructure, policy readiness, and the enabling environment needed to build a sustainable SAF market. The report adapts global best practices to India’s socio-economic and environmental realities and lays out a comprehensive roadmap for SAF adoption.
The study is being discussed at a two-day workshop held at Udaan Bhawan, New Delhi, bringing together stakeholders from ICAO, European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), DGCA, industry representatives, and multiple government departments. The event reflects a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to accelerating SAF development in India.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized the pivotal role of SAF in driving India’s sustainable aviation ambitions. He reiterated India’s commitment to becoming self-reliant in SAF production, with a phased blending target of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030, in alignment with the CORSIA mandate.
“SAF offers a practical and immediate pathway to decarbonize aviation, with the potential to reduce lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to conventional jet fuel,” the Minister said. He added that with over 750 million metric tonnes of biomass and nearly 230 million metric tonnes of surplus agricultural residue, India is well-positioned not only to meet domestic SAF needs but also to become a global SAF hub and exporter.
Highlighting progress already made, the Minister cited the certification of COTECNA Inspection India Pvt. Ltd. as the country’s first SAF certification body and the designation of Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat Refinery as India’s first SAF production facility.
He further noted that scaling up SAF production would reduce India’s crude oil imports, cut emissions by 20–25 million tonnes annually, and generate new income streams for farmers through a biomass-based value chain.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is rapidly advancing toward becoming the world’s largest domestic aviation market, the Minister said. He affirmed the government’s commitment to making India a global leader in green aviation through a collaborative and forward-looking approach.
Civil Aviation Secretary Shri Samir Kumar Sinha reinforced India’s dedication to combating climate change within the UNFCCC framework, stating that India already operates one of the world’s youngest, most fuel-efficient aircraft fleets. He also pointed out that 88 airports across the country have already transitioned to 100% green energy, setting new benchmarks for sustainability.
DGCA Chief Shri Faiz Ahmed highlighted that India, currently the third-largest aviation market, is projected to witness passenger traffic doubling to 500 million by 2030. He said the SAF Feasibility Study offers valuable insights to guide the development of a national policy on SAF, ensuring that sustainability remains a cornerstone of India’s aviation expansion.
The release of the SAF Feasibility Report represents a crucial step in building a comprehensive SAF ecosystem in India. Anchored in a strong policy framework, the vision supports both production and adoption of sustainable fuels. With abundant low-carbon feedstock sources—such as energy crops, agricultural residues, and municipal solid waste—India has the potential to emerge as a global leader in SAF production and innovation.
