The Union Government has approved indicative blending targets for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for international flights, though it has yet to designate any airport for the development of blending infrastructure.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, told Parliament that India is aiming for a 1 per cent SAF blend in ATF by 2027. The target will increase to 2 per cent in 2028 and reach 5 per cent by 2030.

The initiative aligns with India’s commitment to the mandatory phase of the Carbon Offsetting Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) from 2027. Under the scheme, airlines are required to offset carbon emissions above a specified baseline.

Mohol confirmed that public sector oil companies are establishing both pilot and commercial-scale plants to produce SAF, using standalone as well as co-processing facilities.

However, despite the 2026 deadline, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has not yet identified airports for the installation of SAF blending facilities.