**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has notified an amendment to the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001, dated 17 April 2026, to bring Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blends under its regulatory ambit. This measure aligns India with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), which begins its mandatory phase in 2027. The government has set indicative SAF blending targets for international flights starting at 1% in 2027, rising to 5% by 2030.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Regulatory and Definition Changes**
* The ATF Control Order is amended to expand the definition of Aviation Turbine Fuel beyond petroleum-based fuel.
* The new definition includes SAF co-processed with ATF in refineries as per IS 1571.
* The definition also encompasses SAF conforming to IS 17081 blended with ATF to meet IS 1571 standards.
**Technical and Quality Specifications**
* SAF must be chemically similar to ATF and fully compatible with existing aircraft engines without altering performance or safety.
* To be accepted for use, SAF must undergo ICAO-recognized testing processes as per ASTM International.
* Fuel must meet stringent Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) specifications and CORSIA sustainability criteria to qualify as CORSIA-eligible fuel (CEF).
**Blending Targets and Environmental Goals**
* Indicative blending targets for international flights are set at 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028, and 5% in 2030.
* The move aims to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and lower carbon offset requirements for international flights.
* The amendment serves as an enabling provision to strengthen domestic production capabilities and transition toward green fuels.
**Impact Analysis**
**Petroleum Refineries**
**Impact**
Refineries are now authorized to co-process and blend SAF with traditional ATF under the expanded regulatory framework. They must ensure production aligns with specific Indian Standards (IS 1571 and IS 17081).
**Action Required**
Refineries must adapt production processes to meet the new definitions and ensure all SAF-blended fuel meets the rigorous BIS and international quality specifications.
**International Airline Operators**
**Impact**
Airlines operating international flights will be subject to mandatory SAF blending requirements to meet carbon emission offset targets under CORSIA.
**Action Required**
Operators must prepare to integrate SAF-blended fuel into their operations, starting with the 1% target in 2027 and scaling up to 5% by 2030.
**Aviation Fuel Suppliers**
**Impact**
Suppliers must now manage SAF-blended fuel as a regulated product under the ATF Control Order, ensuring the supply chain meets global standards.
**Action Required**
Suppliers need to align their marketing and distribution infrastructure to handle SAF blends that conform to IS 1571 and CORSIA eligibility criteria.
Key Entities Referenced
Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) (Regulation of Marketing) Order, 2001: The primary regulatory framework being amended to include Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) within its legal ambit.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): A renewable fuel derived from alternative feedstocks that is being integrated into the ATF definition to reduce aviation greenhouse gas emissions.
Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA): An international initiative by ICAO to control emissions, driving India's mandatory SAF blending targets for international flights.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas: The primary government ministry responsible for notifying the amendment and overseeing the regulation of aviation fuel marketing.
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO): The global aviation body that defines the testing processes, sustainability criteria, and implementation timelines for SAF use.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Government Brings SAF-Blended Aviation Fuel
Under ATF Control Order
Posted On: 23 APR 2026 9:01PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has notified an amendment to the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) (Regulation of
Marketing) Order, 2001 (ATF Control Order) vide notification dated 17 April 2026. The amendment has
been issued as an administrative measure to bring Aviation Turbine Fuel blended with Sustainable
Aviation Fuel (SAF) under the ambit of the ATF Control Order.
SAF consists of specially processed aviation grade hydrocarbons, that are chemically similar to ATF and
fully compatible with aircraft engines. SAF does not alter the fundamental nature, safety, or performance
of aviation fuel. Inclusion of SAF for aviation use undergoes International Civil Aviation Organization
(ICAO) recognised rigorous testing process for aviation engines as per ASTM International and only after
such extensive procedure, SAF is accepted for use in aviation.
As recognised by ICAO, SAF is a renewable fuel derived from alternative feedstocks such as crops,
biogenic residues, and waste materials, offering significant reductions in GHG emissions. ICAO is
implementing CORSIA (Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation) to control
emissions from international flights. Mandatory phase of CORSIA begins from 2027, requiring
international flights to offset emissions above a baseline level. The use of SAF can help reduce these
offsetting requirements. Recognising this global requirement, the Government has already announced
indicative blending targets of SAF in ATF for international flights as 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028, and 5% in
2030.
Earlier, ATF was defined only as petroleum-based fuel meeting BIS specifications. The amendment
expands this definition to also include SAF co-processed alongside ATF as per IS 1571 in petroleum
refineries, and SAF conforming to IS 17081 blended with ATF, meeting IS 1571. This amendment is
essential to keep India aligned with global supply chain of SAF.
SAF required under the CORSIA not only needs to meet strict quality specifications as per extant BIS
stringent specifications (which conform to international specifications), but also must meet CORSIA
sustainability criteria to qualify as CORSIA-eligible fuel (CEF). The amendment to the ATF Control
Order is therefore an enabling provision to operationalise these targets.
Globally, similar steps are being taken by other countries. The European Union and United Kingdom have
introduced SAF blending mandates. In EU, mandate on SAF blending is 2% in 2025, 6% in 2030 and up
to 70% by 2050. In UK, mandate is 2% in 2025, 10% in 2030 and 22% in 2040. The United States is
promoting SAF through production incentives. Japan has also a SAF mandate of 10% SAF by 2030. In
Singapore, international flights will be required to use 1% SAF from 2026 and this target goes to 3 – 5%
by 2030.
India is committed to green fuel transition, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions, promoting
sustainable fuels like SAF, strengthening domestic production capabilities, and positioning the country as
a key player in the emerging global clean energy ecosystem.***
TM
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