SAF-blended jet fuel brought under ATF Control Order
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The government notified an amendment to the Aviation Turbine Fuel (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 on 17 April 2026 to bring SAF-blended aviation fuel under the Order. SAF is chemically similar to ATF and engine-compatible after ICAO-recognised ASTM testing. Indicative SAF blending targets for international flights are 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% in 2030.
- Notification
- 17 April 2026 amendment to ATF Control Order, 2001
- What changed
- SAF co-processed/blended with ATF now under the Order
- SAF
- Renewable aviation hydrocarbons from crops, biogenic residues, waste
- India targets
- 1% (2027), 2% (2028), 5% (2030) for international flights
- Global driver
- ICAO CORSIA mandatory phase from 2027
- Standards
- BIS IS 1571 (ATF); IS 17081 (SAF) plus CORSIA sustainability for CEF
Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the ATF Control Order: what happened?
International flights will soon have to offset extra carbon under CORSIA. Airlines that blend Sustainable Aviation Fuel need less offsetting. India needed the marketing-control law to treat SAF blends like ATF so the targets can actually work.
- Earlier ATF meant only petroleum-based fuel meeting BIS specs.
- Now includes SAF co-processed with ATF as per IS 1571 in refineries, and SAF meeting IS 17081 blended with ATF to IS 1571.
- CORSIA-eligible fuel must meet quality and sustainability criteria.
- Comparators: EU, UK, US, Japan and Singapore already have mandates or incentives.
What is CORSIA?
- ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation. Its mandatory phase starts in 2027: international flights must offset emissions above a baseline.
What is SAF?
- Specially processed aviation-grade hydrocarbons, chemically similar to ATF, fully compatible with aircraft engines after rigorous testing.
How do India’s indicative SAF targets compare?
| Jurisdiction | Near-term | Later |
|---|---|---|
| India (indicative, intl. flights) | 1% (2027), 2% (2028) | 5% (2030) |
| European Union | 2% (2025) | 6% (2030); up to 70% by 2050 |
| United Kingdom | 2% (2025) | 10% (2030); 22% (2040) |
| Japan | — | 10% by 2030 |
| Singapore | 1% from 2026 | 3–5% by 2030 |
Why does Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the ATF Control Order matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Climate | Cuts aviation GHG intensity for CORSIA. |
| Industry | Lets Indian supply chains sell and market SAF blends under clear rules. |
What are the challenges in Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the ATF Control Order?
- Targets are indicative until production and offtake scale up.
- SAF must meet both BIS quality and CORSIA sustainability rules.
What should be done next on Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the ATF Control Order?
- Build domestic SAF production and certification.
- Align marketing and offtake with the 2027 CORSIA start.
What can Prelims ask on Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the ATF Control Order?
- ATF Control Order 2001 amended 17 Apr 2026 to cover SAF blends.
- India indicative SAF: 1%/2%/5% for 2027/2028/2030 (intl. flights).
- CORSIA mandatory phase from 2027.
- BIS: IS 1571 (ATF), IS 17081 (SAF).
How to write about Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the ATF Control Order in Mains
Practice question (10 marks, 150 words): Why is bringing Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the ATF Control Order important for India’s CORSIA readiness?
- Intro: CORSIA 2027.
- What the amendment does.
- Targets and BIS/CORSIA criteria.
- Global comparison.
- Conclusion: production next.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-04-23): the ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 was amended to cover aviation fuel blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
- Bringing SAF under the order gives it a legal basis to be sold, a needed step before blending targets.
Quotable data pointThe ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001 was amended to cover aviation fuel blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
PIB: MoPNG: SAF under ATF order, 23 Apr 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: SAF, CORSIA.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
India's indicative SAF blending target for international flights in 2030 is
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB (Petroleum), 23 April 2026.
CORSIA, which motivates SAF use, is a scheme of
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (Petroleum), 23 April 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What did the April 2026 ATF Control Order amendment do?
It brought aviation fuel blended with Sustainable Aviation Fuel under the ATF (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001.
What are India's indicative SAF blending targets?
1% in 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% in 2030 for international flights.
When does CORSIA's mandatory phase begin?
From 2027.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB: MoPNG: SAF under ATF order, 23 Apr 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending