NEW DELHI – Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. and Akasa Air have officially entered into a Letter of Intent (LOI) to explore the future supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Signed during the Wings India 2026 event, the agreement establishes a strategic framework aimed at supporting the airline’s sustainability targets through the potential use of low-carbon fuels.
The Power of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)
1. Drastic Emission Reductions
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Lifecycle CO2 Impact: SAF can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional fossil-based jet fuel.
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Future Potential: Advances in synthetic SAF (power-to-liquid) could eventually lead to a 100% reduction in emissions.
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Cleaner Combustion: SAF contains fewer sulfur and aromatic components, leading to lower particulate matter (PM) and improved air quality around airports.
2. Diverse and Renewable Feedstocks
Unlike fossil fuels, SAF is produced from renewable resources that “recycle” carbon:
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Waste Streams: Used cooking oils, animal fats, and municipal solid waste (garbage).
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Agricultural Residues: Forestry waste, wood clippings, and non-food crops grown on marginal land.
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Next-Gen Sources: Algae and carbon captured directly from the air (for synthetic fuels).
3. Seamless Industry Integration
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“Drop-in” Fuel: SAF is chemically similar to traditional jet fuel and can be blended up to 50% without any modifications to existing aircraft engines or airport infrastructure.
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Energy Security: By using local waste and renewable crops, SAF reduces the aviation industry’s dependence on volatile global oil markets.
4. The Road to Net-Zero 2050
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Critical Pathway: SAF is estimated to provide roughly 65% of the total emissions reduction needed for the aviation industry to reach its net-zero goal by 2050.
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Immediate Action: As seen with the IndianOil and Akasa Air LOI, scaling SAF is the best short-term opportunity to meet international climate targets.
