Towards a Greener Sky: The Promise and Challenges of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in India

 A country with 1.4billion people and growing, growing fast. According to IndiaTimes and Indian Brand Equity Foundation, the aviation market in India is rising high with 33% growth factor (2022) and the number of airports have gone up from 74 in 2013-2014 to 170 today and new terminals being added and expanded (the new Bangaluru T2). To add more spice into this information, the takeover of Air India by TATA hence forth merging with Vistara later on acquiring the new A350's (Aeroflot A/C's, taken over by Air India from Airbus as the manufacturers could not hand it over to Aeroflot due to sanctions) and the clue left on the table by Akasa Air of potentially ordering aircrafts in three digits soon, makes us think the propensity of the market and the upcoming demand. And also Through some sources there has been rumor's that some foreign airlines has plans for shift their aviation business to India.

Now, India being one of the rising aviation stars, will there be enough SAF for them?

An answer a country with a huge developing population must find an answer for and find it soon. As there are only studies and potential discussions and MoU's to develop SAF in India, Much of which was discussed in the IATA Aviation Energy Forum 2022. And developing an affordable SAF will be the key to make SAF more accessible to all the carriers in the country and make the aviation industry in India more green and self-sufficient.

India's civil aviation secretary Rajiv Bansal stated that his team at the ministry are working closely to mandate a certain percentage of blending of SAF with jet fuel. he also stated "We do realize that unless we mandate over a period of time, demand will not be created" according to an article from Argus News dated 16th November 2022, while the IATA Aviation Energy Forum 2022.

The driving factor of the SAF production in India is majorly hoped by the feed stock and the other agricultural by products produce and other related industries , which are a major backbone of the current economy. This being said, there were also points made by an IATA executive that India has a high potential of being of the the largest producer of SAF.

Fingers are crossed to see how this will come into action as soon as possible. To potentially support SAF in India, "if" they wish to do it large scale, now could be the best time to start gearing up and setup the maze of pipes for production.