The centre is mulling the formation of a special committee to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel, according to an official source' statement on Monday. Known as the National Council on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (NC-SAF), it is intended to ensure the implementation of SAF Policy.
The NC-SAF will be co-chaired by Civil Aviation & Petroleum Secretary. It will have members from the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) as well as the Ministry of Agriculture, Environment, Finance and Consumer Affairs.
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This development comes after the Centre proposed mandatory blending of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for international flights from January 2027. The requirement is reportedly set to increase in phases to 20% by 2040. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has circulated the 'Draft SAF Policy, 2026', which proposes an initial blending mandate of 1% for international flights.
The proposal, a copy, outlines a two-phase roadmap, with SAF blending targeted to incraese to 5% by 2030 under the first phase, and then to 20% by 2040 under the second phase.
Airlines and oil marketing companies (OMCs) could also face penalties for failing to comply with the proposed SAF blending requirements, according to the draft seen by NDTV Profit.
This is aimed at preventing what the Centre describes as 'economic tankering'. This involves airlines carrying additional fuel from another airport to avoid purchasing fuel at a destination where it is more expensive, ultimately affecting fuel demand and airport operations.
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The airports will also have separate responsibilities under the proposed policy. They will be required to ensure that infra for SAF storage, handling and distribution is in order.
The draft copy also proposes that airports coordinate with oil marketing companies to facilitate the logistics and blending operations needed to supply the required SAF.
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