SYLLABUS

GS-3:  Infrastructure: Energy.

Context: The Government has notified an amendment to the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001, to bring ATF blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) under its regulatory ambit.

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• The amendment expands the definition of ATF, which was earlier limited to petroleum-based fuels meeting BIS standards.
• It now includes fuels blended with sustainable or synthetic hydrocarbons such as SAF.
• This provides legal clarity and allows oil companies to blend and supply SAF within the existing regulatory framework. The move aligns India with the global carbon-reduction mechanism known as CORSIA, which becomes mandatory in 2027.
• The move is aligned with India’s broader strategy to transition toward cleaner fuels, reduce dependence on crude oil imports, and comply with global climate commitments.
• It also prepares the aviation sector for upcoming international emission regulations under International Civil Aviation Organization frameworks.

About Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

• Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a renewable aviation fuel made from alternative feedstocks such as agricultural residues, waste oils, municipal waste, and non-food crops.
• It consists of aviation-grade hydrocarbons chemically similar to conventional jet fuel, ensuring compatibility with existing aircraft engines and infrastructure.
• It can be produced through multiple pathways, including Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ), where ethanol is processed into high-energy jet fuel comparable to conventional ATF.
• SAF undergoes rigorous certification under ASTM standards and is approved by the International Civil Aviation Organization for aviation use.
• Currently, SAF can be blended with conventional jet fuel (typically up to 50%) and used without modifying aircraft or infrastructure.

Benefits of SAF

• Decarbonisation Potential: SAF alone is expected to contribute over 60% of the global aviation sector’s decarbonisation efforts, making it the most critical near-term solution for reducing aviation emissions.
• Engine and Infrastructure Compatibility: SAF blended with conventional jet fuel can be used in existing aircraft engines and fuel infrastructure without requiring major modifications.
• Lower Emissions: Compared to conventional jet fuel, 100% SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%, depending on the feedstock and production pathway.
• Operational Flexibility: SAF acts as a drop-in replacement fuel and can be produced from a wide range of feedstocks using multiple technological pathways.

Challenges of SAF

• High Production Cost: SAF currently costs nearly three times more than conventional aviation fuel, limiting its commercial viability.
• Airline Resistance: Airlines remain cautious about adopting SAF due to concerns over increased operational costs and reduced profitability.
• Delayed Domestic Mandates: India plans to mandate SAF blending for domestic flights only after 2027, which slows down demand creation and large-scale adoption.
• Supply and Scale Limitations: Limited availability of sustainable feedstocks and underdeveloped production infrastructure restrict the ability to scale SAF to meet growing aviation demand.
• Ethanol Feedstock Constraint: Large-scale SAF production using ethanol can increase pressure on sugarcane and other feedstocks, making sustainability dependent on the timely expansion of second-generation (2G) ethanol from agricultural residues.

India’s SAF Blending Roadmap

• India has announced indicative SAF blending targets for international flights:
  • 1% by 2027
  • 2% by 2028
  • 5% by 2030
• No mandatory targets have yet been set for domestic flights.
• India’s approach focuses on:
  • Gradual scaling aligned with global mandates
  • Promoting domestic SAF production
  • Integrating ethanol and synthetic hydrocarbons into aviation fuel
• Globally, countries are moving faster:
  • EU: 2% (2025) → 70% (2050)
  • UK: 10% by 2030
  • Japan: 10% by 2030
  • Singapore: 1% (2026) → 3–5% (2030)
• Globally, SAF has already been used in over 360,000 flights and is considered the most viable near-term solution for decarbonising aviation.