Akasa Air Advances Green Travel Goals As First SAF-Blended Flight Signals New Era For Indian Aviation

Written By: Ricky Acharjee

Ricky Acharjee

I am travel writer at Travel And Tour World with 3 years of experience covering global tourism, aviation, hospitality, and destination news. Dedicated to accurate reporting and compelling storytelling, Ricky explores the trends, innovations, and developments shaping the international travel industry while delivering engaging insights for travellers and industry professionals.

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September 9, 2026 11:53 AM

Akasa Air, one of India’s rapidly expanding airlines, has successfully completed a commercial flight powered by a blend of conventional aviation turbine fuel and 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) provided by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). The milestone operation took place on September 8, 2026, marking another step towards advancing cleaner aviation solutions in India.

The SAF-powered flight took off from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai at 13:05 IST and landed at Manohar International Airport in Goa at 14:30 IST. The successful operation demonstrated the potential of integrating sustainable fuel solutions into regular airline operations while maintaining existing aviation standards.

The initiative follows the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Akasa Air and BPCL in July 2026 to explore the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and identify additional opportunities to support the aviation sector’s transition towards lower carbon emissions.

Through this flight, both organisations will gain valuable operational experience and technical insights that can contribute to future SAF adoption strategies and broader efforts aimed at reducing the environmental impact of air travel.

Commenting on the milestone, Ankur Goel, Chief Financial Officer, Akasa Air, said, “Sustainability is one of Akasa Air’s core values and shapes how we are building the airline for the long term. Since inception, we have invested in next-generation aircraft, technology and responsible practices that enable more conscious and efficient operations, both on the ground and in the air. This flight with BPCL translates our partnership into tangible action. Scaling SAF in India will require coordinated action across the ecosystem, supported by domestic supply, enabling policy and commercial viability. We are committed to exploring this transition.” 

Mr. Subhankar Sen, Director (Marketing), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), said, “The transition from conventional fuels to sustainable alternatives is both an environmental imperative and a strategic necessity for India. While feedstock availability and aggregation have historically posed challenges due to fragmented supply chains, sustained efforts across the value chain have helped create the foundation for a viable Sustainable Aviation Fuel ecosystem. BPCL remains firmly committed to advancing sustainable fuels as part of India’s broader energy transition journey. As a nation that relies significantly on crude oil imports, enhancing energy security through sustainable and indigenous energy solutions is the way forward. BPCL is actively driving sustainability initiatives across multiple sectors, and today’s milestone with Akasa Air marks an important step in extending these efforts to aviation and supporting India’s decarbonisation goals. He also thanked the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and DGCA for their unwavering support and guidance in making this achievement possible.” 

Akasa Air’s SAF-powered flight aligns with India’s long-term goal of introducing a 5% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) blend by 2030, highlighting the airline industry’s growing commitment to lowering carbon emissions and building a cleaner aviation future. The initiative also supports the global aviation sector’s ambition, led by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Sustainability has remained a core part of Akasa Air’s operational strategy since the airline began flying, with a continued focus on responsible practices, resource efficiency and environmentally conscious growth.

The airline’s modern Boeing 737 MAX fleet plays a central role in its sustainability roadmap, helping Akasa Air operate one of India’s most fuel-efficient and environmentally advanced aircraft fleets. Equipped with CFM International LEAP-1B engines and advanced winglet technology, the Boeing 737 MAX delivers improved fuel efficiency while reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions by around 20% compared with the aircraft models it replaces.

To further strengthen its environmental performance, Akasa Air has partnered with OpenAirlines to introduce SkyBreathe®, an advanced fuel-management platform that uses data analytics to identify efficiency improvements, optimise operations and reduce emissions across its network. The airline has also taken steps beyond aviation technology, becoming the first Indian carrier to voluntarily discontinue traditional water-cannon salutes during route inaugurations, saving more than 550,000 litres of water so far.