Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, has become the first Indian airline to operate a domestic flight using sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The flight, which took off from Delhi and landed in Mumbai, used a blend of SAF and traditional Jet-A1 fuel. Vistara has partnered with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) to procure SAF that is produced by using indigenous feedstock, such as Used Cooking Oil (UCO). The airline also plans to undertake a biofuel-powered test flight in the near future.
The use of SAF is significant as it is a cleaner alternative to traditional aviation fuel. The production of SAF involves the use of feedstock that has already served its original use and would otherwise have been discarded as waste. SAF reduces the carbon footprint of air travel and promotes the circular economy.
Vistara’s initiative is in line with the government’s push to reduce aviation emissions. India aims to achieve net zero aviation emissions by 2050 and has set a target to use 10% of biofuel in aviation fuel by 2025. According to a report by the International Air Transport Association, SAF could help the aviation industry reduce CO2 emissions by up to 63% compared to conventional jet fuel.
Vistara’s SAF-powered flight has been lauded by industry experts, who have also called for more airlines to adopt sustainable aviation practices. The airline industry has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, but experts believe that the current crisis presents an opportunity to build a more sustainable and resilient aviation sector. The use of SAF could be a key component in achieving this goal.
In addition to Vistara, other airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, and KLM have also experimented with the use of SAF. However, the adoption of SAF has been slow due to factors such as high cost and limited availability. To address these challenges, industry stakeholders have called for greater investment in SAF and the establishment of regulatory frameworks to promote its use. The success of Vistara’s SAF-powered flight is expected to create momentum for increased uptake of the fuel in India and beyond.
Overall, Vistara’s adoption of sustainable aviation practices sets a positive example for the industry and demonstrates the feasibility of using more eco-friendly alternatives in air travel. As demand for air travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, it will be important for airlines to prioritize sustainability in their operations to meet global climate targets and foster a more sustainable future for the industry.