Ethanol Blended ATF Recognised in India

· SAF-Blended Fuel Now Under ATF Rules

Government amended the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 (notification dated 17 April 2026) to include ATF blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

· Why the Amendment Matters

This brings SAF-blended aviation fuel under regulatory oversight and aligns India with evolving global aviation fuel standards.

· What is SAF?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a renewable aviation fuel made from alternative feedstocks like crops, residues, and waste materials, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

· Compatible with Existing Aircraft

SAF is chemically similar to conventional ATF, fully compatible with aircraft engines, and approved only after rigorous ICAO- and ASTM-recognized testing.

· Supports Global Emission Norms (CORSIA)

The move helps prepare for the mandatory phase of ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) beginning in 2027.

· India’s SAF Blending Targets

o 1% SAF blending in international flights by 2027

o 2% by 2028

o 5% by 2030

· Expanded Definition of ATF ATF now includes:

o SAF co-processed with ATF in refineries (as per IS 1571)

o SAF conforming to IS 17081 blended with ATF meeting IS 1571

· CORSIA Eligibility Requirement

SAF must meet both strict BIS fuel quality standards and CORSIA sustainability criteria to qualify as CORSIA-eligible fuel.

· Global Alignment

India joins countries like the EU, UK, US, Japan, and Singapore that are advancing SAF mandates or incentives.

· Strategic Objective

The amendment supports green fuel transition, lower emissions, domestic SAF production, and India’s position in the global clean energy ecosystem.

[ABS News Service/24.04.2026]

The Government has notified an amendment to the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 (ATF Control Order) vide notification dated 17 April 2026. The amendment has been issued as an administrative measure to bring Aviation Turbine Fuel blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) under the ambit of the ATF Control Order.

SAF consists of specially processed aviation grade hydrocarbons, that are chemically similar to ATF and fully compatible with aircraft engines. SAF does not alter the fundamental nature, safety, or performance of aviation fuel. Inclusion of SAF for aviation use undergoes International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) recognised rigorous testing process for aviation engines as per ASTM International and only after such extensive procedure, SAF is accepted for use in aviation.

As recognised by ICAO, SAF is a renewable fuel derived from alternative feedstocks such as crops, biogenic residues, and waste materials, offering significant reductions in GHG emissions. ICAO is implementing CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) to control emissions from international flights. Mandatory phase of CORSIA begins from 2027, requiring international flights to offset emissions above a baseline level. The use of SAF can help reduce these offsetting requirements. Recognising this global requirement, the Government has already announced indicative blending targets of SAF in ATF for international flights as 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028, and 5% in 2030.

Earlier, ATF was defined only as petroleum-based fuel meeting BIS specifications. The amendment expands this definition to also include SAF co-processed alongside ATF as per IS 1571 in petroleum refineries, and SAF conforming to IS 17081 blended with ATF, meeting IS 1571. This amendment is essential to keep India aligned with global supply chain of SAF.

SAF required under the CORSIA not only needs to meet strict quality specifications as per extant BIS stringent specifications (which conform to international specifications), but also must meet CORSIA sustainability criteria to qualify as CORSIA-eligible fuel (CEF). The amendment to the ATF Control Order is therefore an enabling provision to operationalise these targets.

Globally, similar steps are being taken by other countries. The European Union and United Kingdom have introduced SAF blending mandates. In EU, mandate on SAF blending is 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030 and up to 70% by 2050. In UK, mandate is 2% in 2025, 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. The United States is promoting SAF through production incentives. Japan has also a SAF mandate of 10% SAF by 2030. In Singapore, international flights will be required to use 1% SAF from 2026 and this target goes to 3 – 5% by 2030.

India is committed to green fuel transition, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions, promoting sustainable fuels like SAF, strengthening domestic production capabilities, and positioning the country as a key player in the emerging global clean energy ecosystem.