Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu has unequivocally denied any government proposal to blend ethanol directly with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). The minister's statement came in response to claims made by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal, who alleged that sources indicated plans for such a blend.
Minister Kinjarapu dismissed Kejriwal's assertion as "completely false and irresponsible," emphasizing that "there is no such proposal." He stressed the crucial distinction between ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), stating they "are entirely different and should not be conflated."
Addressing Safety Concerns and Misinformation
Kejriwal had raised significant safety concerns, tweeting that if ethanol were blended into ATF, "the airplane engine might just stop in the air," questioning who would risk flying under such conditions. The minister warned that spreading such misinformation could induce panic among air travelers.
Kinjarapu clarified that SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel, recognized by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and adopted globally. He highlighted that SAF undergoes rigorous testing and meets stringent global safety standards, making it safe for aircraft engines.
Distinguishing Ethanol from Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya also weighed in, making a similar distinction. He explained that SAF is not raw ethanol but an aviation-grade fuel produced through advanced processing. Chemically similar to conventional ATF, SAF is fully compatible with existing aircraft engines.
While the immediate proposal for blending raw ethanol with ATF is denied, the aviation industry is moving towards sustainable fuel options. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) mandates sustainable aviation fuel for the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). For India, a 1 percent blending target with ATF is set to kick in from 2027 onwards.
It is noteworthy that India had previously amended the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001, to permit the blending of ethanol and other synthetic or man-made hydrocarbons in ATF. This amendment, made under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955, aimed at reducing emissions and decreasing reliance on oil imports, but did not set immediate mandatory blending targets for raw ethanol. Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) have also established facilities for ethanol-blended ATF, likely in preparation for SAF production or future sustainable fuel initiatives.