New Delhi, September 9, 2026: Akasa Air has successfully operated a commercial passenger flight using Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) blended with 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) supplied by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), marking another step toward the adoption of sustainable fuels in India’s aviation sector.
The flight operated on September 8, 2026, departed from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, at 13:05 IST and arrived at Manohar International Airport (GOX), Goa, at 14:30 IST.
The initiative follows a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Akasa Air and BPCL in July 2026. The partnership focuses on exploring SAF adoption and other measures aimed at supporting the aviation industry’s transition toward lower-carbon operations.
Under the agreement, the two companies are working toward establishing a framework for the supply and offtake of SAF-blended ATF at selected airports across India.
Akasa Air Highlights SAF Transition
Ankur Goel, Chief Financial Officer of Akasa Air, said the airline’s sustainability strategy is focused on building more efficient and responsible operations over the long term.
According to the airline, wider adoption of SAF in India will require collaboration across the aviation ecosystem, including the development of domestic SAF supplies, supportive policies and commercially viable solutions.
The airline said the latest flight will provide both Akasa Air and BPCL with practical operational experience and insights that can support future SAF-related initiatives.
Boeing 737 MAX Fleet Supports Fuel Efficiency
Akasa Air also highlighted the role of its Boeing 737 MAX fleet in its fuel-efficiency and environmental initiatives.
The aircraft is powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines and features advanced-technology winglets. According to Akasa Air, the 737 MAX can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by approximately 20% compared with the aircraft it replaces.
The airline has also partnered with OpenAirlines to use SkyBreathe®, a fuel-management platform that applies advanced analytics to improve operational efficiency and help reduce carbon emissions across its network.
Akasa Air said it has additionally introduced several operational sustainability measures. The airline was the first Indian carrier to voluntarily stop traditional water-cannon salutes during route inaugurations, a move that it says has helped save more than 5.5 lakh litres of water so far.
BPCL Focuses on Sustainable Fuel Ecosystem
Subhankar Sen, Director (Marketing) at BPCL, said the shift from conventional fuels to sustainable alternatives is important for both environmental objectives and India’s long-term energy strategy.
He noted that challenges such as feedstock availability and fragmented supply chains have historically affected the development of the SAF ecosystem. However, continued efforts across the value chain are helping establish the foundation for a more viable sustainable aviation fuel industry.
BPCL said it remains committed to supporting sustainable fuels as part of India’s broader energy transition and sees indigenous energy solutions as an important contributor to strengthening the country’s energy security.
The latest Akasa Air-BPCL flight represents a practical step toward evaluating the use of SAF in commercial aviation and could provide valuable operational experience as India works toward expanding the sustainable aviation fuel ecosystem.
