Akasa Air and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL) on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the adoption of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in India, in a move aimed at strengthening the country's SAF ecosystem and supporting the aviation industry's efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Under the partnership, the two companies will establish a framework for the supply and offtake of SAF-blended aviation turbine fuel (ATF) at select airports across the country. They will also work towards long-term supply preparedness by sharing indicative demand forecasts, supporting production planning and gradually increasing SAF blending as India's domestic SAF ecosystem develops.
The collaboration is aligned with India's clean energy objectives and global aviation sustainability frameworks, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA).
Akasa Air and BPCL will also engage jointly with government bodies and industry stakeholders through knowledge-sharing initiatives and policy advocacy. The companies said these efforts would support the development of a stronger and more reliable SAF ecosystem in India.
Akasa Air Chief Financial Officer Ankur Goel said sustainability had remained one of the airline's core values since its launch and had guided its investments in modern aircraft, technology and operational efficiency. He said the partnership with BPCL would help strengthen the airline's preparedness for the use of SAF while contributing to the development of the country's SAF supply ecosystem.
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BPCL Director (Marketing) Subhankar Sen said the state-owned oil marketing company remained committed to supporting the aviation sector through reliable fuel supply, operational excellence and innovation. He said BPCL was pursuing several green energy initiatives and was working to support the aviation industry's transition towards lower carbon emissions through sustainable energy solutions.
The MoU was signed by BPCL Chief General Manager (Marketing-Aviation) Sujit Kumar and Akasa Air CFO Ankur Goel in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
Akasa Air said sustainability had been integrated into its operations since its inception. The airline operates an all-Boeing 737 MAX fleet powered by CFM LEAP-1B engines, which consume around 20 per cent less fuel and generate lower emissions compared with the aircraft they replace.
The airline has also deployed the SkyBreathe fuel management platform, developed by OpenAirlines, to improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions across its network.
As part of another sustainability initiative, Akasa Air said it became the first Indian carrier to voluntarily discontinue ceremonial water-cannon salutes for inaugural flights. The move has helped conserve more than 5.3 lakh litres of water so far, the airline said.
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