Gurugram: Air India, a Tata Group airline, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) for the supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), marking a significant milestone in India’s green aviation journey.
The collaboration underscores the airline’s commitment to the IATA Net Zero by 2050 vision and the broader national push for decarbonization.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel at the Core of Green Transition
The MoU establishes a roadmap for Air India and IndianOil to work together on creating a reliable and certified SAF supply chain.
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Air India has been expanding its green initiatives, ranging from operational efficiency to reducing single-use plastics and investing in low-emission technologies. Its fleet renewal plan, with 570 new aircraft on order, is designed to create one of the lowest carbon-emitting fleets globally.
IndianOil, meanwhile, recently became the first Indian company to receive ISCC CORSIA certification for SAF production at its Panipat Refinery.
This certification, under ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), confirms its capability to produce SAF that complies with stringent international sustainability and lifecycle carbon emission standards.
AS Sahney, Chairman of IndianOil, said, “The signing of this MoU with Air India represents a strategic step in India’s transition to sustainable aviation. With our ISCC-CORSIA-certified SAF from Panipat, IndianOil is ready to provide a sustainable fuel solution that will help decarbonize air travel. Partnering with India’s flagship carrier sets a strong benchmark for the industry.”
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Campbell Wilson, CEO & Managing Director of Air India, added, “Through this MoU with IndianOil, Air India reaffirms its commitment to support India’s sustainability goals and to achieve the IATA Net Zero by 2050 target. This collaboration is central to our long-term green aviation strategy.”
India has set a target of achieving 5% SAF blending by 2030. Air India’s MoU with IndianOil directly contributes to this national objective while also ensuring compliance with CORSIA obligations for international flights.
The partnership will enable Air India to access a consistent and sustainable supply of SAF, reinforcing India’s position as a frontrunner in green aviation.
It also supports ongoing initiatives such as Air India’s research collaborations with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Indian Institute of Petroleum for SAF development.
