Here is today’s Currens affairs from Naukri Market
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
Why in the News?
The Government of India is actively working to reduce the environmental footprint of aviation by encouraging the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and proposing the inclusion of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) under GST to ensure uniform and reduced taxation. This is seen as a step towards achieving the Net Zero by 2050 target set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF)
- Definition: ATF is a highly refined, kerosene-based fuel used primarily to power aircraft equipped with jet engines. The most common variant, Jet A1, is standardized globally.
- Composition: It consists mainly of hydrocarbons such as alkanes, cycloalkanes, and aromatics, offering high energy output, low freezing point, and resistance to thermal degradation.
Economic Concerns:
ATF is one of the largest cost drivers in the aviation industry. Airlines spend nearly 30–40% of their operational budget on fuel. On top of that, high state-level VAT (up to 30%) makes air travel more expensive and less competitive, especially for domestic carriers. The Civil Aviation Ministry has long advocated for bringing ATF under GST to create a uniform tax structure and ease the financial burden on airlines.
Environmental Impact:
The burning of ATF leads to the emission of harmful pollutants including carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM). These emissions contribute to global warming, ozone layer depletion, and local air quality deterioration. While ATF has evolved for better efficiency, its environmental toll remains a major concern.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
- Definition: SAF is an eco-friendly alternative to ATF, derived from renewable sources. It is termed a drop-in fuel because it can be blended with ATF and used in existing aircraft without any technical modifications.
Sources of SAF:
SAF can be produced from a wide variety of feedstocks:
- Biomass-based: Like used cooking oil, oilseeds, and animal fats.
- Residues: Such as agricultural waste, forestry residues, and wood mill byproducts.
- Waste: Including municipal solid waste and wastewater sludge.
- Synthetic Pathways: Like Power-to-Liquid (PtL), where CO₂ captured from the atmosphere is converted into liquid fuel using green hydrogen.
Advantages:
SAF is a game-changer for the aviation industry:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Lifecycle GHG emissions can be reduced by up to 94% compared to conventional ATF.
- Engine Compatibility: It works seamlessly with today’s aircraft and infrastructure.
- Sustainability: Most SAF sources do not compete with food crops or cause deforestation, making it an environmentally conscious choice.
Challenges:
Despite its promise, SAF faces multiple roadblocks:
- High Cost: It is around 4 times more expensive than ATF due to limited scale and complex production processes.
- Low Availability: Current global production of SAF is only a fraction of aviation demand.
- Policy & Regulation: There’s a pressing need for clear regulatory frameworks, financial incentives, and technological investment to scale SAF usage.
India’s SAF Targets (Indicative)
India has committed to introducing SAF in a phased manner, especially for international operations initially. Here’s the proposed timeline:
| Year | Blending Target | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 1% | International flights |
| 2028 | 2% | International flights |
| 2030 | 5% | Broader aviation sector |
These targets are aligned with the ICAO’s Net-Zero Carbon Emission plan by 2050. If successfully implemented, SAF blending could significantly cut India’s aviation emissions.
The Way Forward
Adoption of SAF is crucial for the sustainable growth of aviation. While India is taking steps in the right direction—such as launching pilot SAF blending programs and proposing fiscal reforms—scaling up will require public-private partnerships, investment in infrastructure, and international cooperation. Making SAF affordable and widely available is the next big challenge that needs to be tackled with urgency.
