India has presented a feasibility study on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), outlining policy and implementation steps to reduce emissions and support aviation growth, ahead of the 42nd International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Assembly in Montreal later this month, reported Hindustan Times.

The study was conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation with support from ICAO and the European Union under the ACT-SAF programme. It identifies viable production and deployment pathways for SAF in line with global CORSIA standards.

The meeting, chaired by civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu, included aviation secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, ICAO officials, DGCA, oil firms and representatives from Boeing and Airbus. Officials said the roadmap aims to meet blending targets while cutting crude oil imports by US$5-7 billion annually and increasing farmer incomes through crop residue use.

With 24 crore passengers recorded in 2024 and numbers expected to double by 2030, SAF is seen as key to balancing growth with climate goals. India could produce 8-10 million tonnes of SAF annually by 2040, exceeding domestic demand and creating up to 1.4 million green jobs.

The government has set phased blending targets: one per cent by 2027, two per cent by 2028 and five per cent by 2030. Indian Oil's Panipat refinery is certified as the first SAF producer, with output expected by year-end.

India's green aviation efforts also include 88 airports running on renewable energy, carbon-neutral hubs in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, and the world's first airport-based hydrogen facility at Cochin. NTPC and IOC are developing large-scale SAF and hydrogen projects.

Source：