In a significant development in the decarbonization of the aviation sector, India’s first commercial passenger flight using an indigenously produced Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend was successfully flown earlier today.
AirAsia India flight i5-767 departed from Pune to New Delhi using a blend of indigenous Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supplied by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (IOCL) in partnership with Praj Industries Ltd. (Praj).
Hon. Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, received this special flight at the airport.
This flight is a significant milestone in the country’s efforts towards sustainable aviation and demonstrates the commitment of the Air India group, IOCL, and Praj Industries, with the support and guidance of the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, to develop and propagate indigenous solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of aviation and pave the way for the widespread adoption of SAF in India.
In keeping with the country’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan mission, the SAF was produced indigenously by Praj Industries using captive agricultural feedstock.
The SAF sourced for this initiative by Praj Industries, is in partnership with Gevo Inc., which has developed a breakthrough Alcohol-to-Jet (ATJ) technology for the production of SAF using bio-based feedstock.
Praj produced SAF samples in its R&D facility, Praj Matrix, which underwent detailed testing at IOCL laboratories before it was blended for the special flight.
Describing the occasion as a significant milestone in the country’s efforts towards Net Zero emissions by 2070, Mr. Puri said :
Congratulating the home grown giants in their respective sectors, AirAsia India, IndianOil, and Praj Industries, Shri Puri reiterated the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister for an Atmanirbhar Bharat by developing indigenous solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of aviation and pave the way for the widespread adoption of SAF in India.
Mr. Aloke Singh, Managing Director, AirAsia India and Air India Express, said :
Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, Founder Chairman, Praj Industries, said :
Mr. Vaidya, Chairman, IndianOil said :
Global aviation is currently responsible for about 3% of total global GHG emissions. If the emission remains unchecked, it could be responsible for 22% of GHG emissions by 2050.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has released Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) regulations that have defined a target of reducing CO2 emissions from the aviation sector by 50% by 2050.
An alternative to the current use of fossil fuels is to use SAF that can result in high greenhouse gas (GHG) savings.
About AIX Connect (operating as AirAsia India):
AIX Connect Private Limited, formerly known as AirAsia India Private Limited, was launched in 2014 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Air India Limited.
AirAsia India flies over 50 direct and 100 connecting routes across India, offering plush leather seats, Gourmair hot meals, pioneering in-flight entertainment AirFlix, and a host of exclusive loyalty benefits for members of the Tata NeuPass rewards program.
The airline recently launched a consolidated digital presence with Air India Express, offering fast bookings, fab deals and fantastic value on its award-winning website.
About Praj Industries Limited:
Praj, India’s most accomplished industrial biotech company, is driven by innovation, integration, and delivery capabilities.
Over the past four decades, Praj has focused on the environment, energy, and agri‐process industry, with 1000 ++ customer references spanning 100+ countries across all five continents. Bio‐MobilityTM and Bio‐PrismTM are the mainstays of Praj’s contribution to the global Bioeconomy.
The Bio‐Mobility platform offers technology solutions globally to produce the renewable transportation fuel, thus ensuring sustainable decarbonization through a circular bioeconomy.
The company’s Bio‐PrismTM portfolio comprises technologies to produce renewable chemicals and materials, promising sustainability while reimagining nature.
Praj Matrix, the state‐of‐the‐art R&D facility, forms the backbone for the company’s endeavours towards a clean energy‐based Bioeconomy.
Praj’s diverse portfolio comprises Bio‐energy solutions, Critical process equipment & skids, Breweries, Zero liquid discharge systems and High purity water systems.
Led by an accomplished and caring leadership, Praj is a socially responsible corporate citizen.
Praj is listed on the Bombay and National Stock Exchanges of India.
About IOCL:
As a Brand with one of the largest customer interfaces in India, IndianOil reaches precious petroleum fuels to every nook and corner of the country through its network of over 58,000 plus customer touch-points, surmounting the challenges of tough terrain, climate and accessibility.
The marketing network is bolstered by 70.05 MMTPA of Refining Capacity and more than 15,000 KM of cross-country pipelines.
Moreover, IndianOil’s R&D Centre at Faridabad, one of Asia’s finest in downstream petroleum R&D, offers a competitive advantage to the Corporation through world-class technology and process solutions and innovative products.
IndianOil R&D has also been instrumental in pioneering path-breaking research to leverage the potential of Hydrogen and other cleaner fuels for the sustainable progress of the nation.
One of India’s most socially responsive brands, IndianOil, has successfully combined its corporate social responsibility agenda with its business offerings.
The Corporation has been partnering with communities in which it operates by supporting numerous initiatives connected with health, family welfare, education, environment protection, potable water, sanitation, empowerment of women and other marginalised groups.