India Approves Ethanol Blending in Aviation Fuel

India Permits Blending of Ethanol and Synthetic Hydrocarbons in Aviation Fuel

India has taken a significant step towards reducing its reliance on oil imports and cutting emissions by permitting the blending of ethanol and other synthetic or man-made hydrocarbons in aviation turbine fuel (ATF). However, the government has not set any immediate mandatory blending targets, according to a recent government notification.

The move follows amendments to the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001, under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, which expanded the definition of ATF to include blends with synthetic hydrocarbons. This change is aimed at reducing reliance on oil imports and cutting emissions.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), through a gazette notification, amended rules governing the marketing of ATF, broadening the definition of the fuel and aligning enforcement provisions with updated criminal procedures. Under the amendment, ATF is now defined as a mixture of hydrocarbons conforming to IS 1571 specifications or blends with synthetic hydrocarbons under IS 17081 standards, enabling the inclusion of newer fuel variants.

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ATF is primarily produced by refining crude oil. Globally, countries such as the UK and Japan are increasingly mandating blending sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is produced by converting renewable feedstocks, such as waste oils and fats, sugar and cereal, municipal solid waste, wood and agricultural residues, or CO2, in ATF to cut emissions.

India is targeting to blend 1 per cent SAF into jet fuel for international flights by 2027, rising to 2 per cent by 2028 and 5 per cent by 2030 in line with the CORSIA mandate. No targets for fuel used in domestic flights have been set so far.

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is an International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)-led mandatory global scheme requiring airlines to offset CO2 emissions from international flights exceeding 2020 levels. While voluntary from 2021-2026, it becomes mandatory for most states from 2027 to 2035, aiming for carbon-neutral growth.

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The ministry's notification also updates enforcement provisions to apply search and seizure rules under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, replacing earlier references. The amendment, titled the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Amendment Order, 2026, takes effect upon publication in the Official Gazette.