Akasa Air Flies Mumbai-Goa Commercial Route Using BPCL Biofuel Blend
Low-cost carrier Akasa Air has operated a commercial flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai powered by aviation turbine fuel blended with sustainable aviation fuel. The aircraft departed Mumbai at 1:05 pm and touched down at Manohar International Airport in Mopa, Goa, at 2:30 pm.
The flight utilised conventional aviation turbine fuel blended with 1% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) supplied by state-run energy firm Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL). The sector flight gathered operational data and fuel-performance metrics for both organisations to support future scaling.
The service was the first operational milestone following a memorandum of understanding signed between Akasa Air and BPCL in July 2026. Under that agreement, both entities aim to test, scale, and build a commercial framework for SAF distribution across major Indian aviation hubs.
While the 1% blend serves as an incremental ratio, industry experts consider such commercial flights essential proof-of-concept demonstrations to refine handling procedures, regulatory frameworks, and supply chains. The initiative aligns with India’s national target to achieve a mandatory 5% SAF blend by 2030, as well as the International Air Transport Association’s goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions across commercial aviation by 2050.
Akasa Air Chief Financial Officer Ankur Goel noted that operationalising the blend translates strategic intent into practical progress. "Sustainability is one of Akasa Air's core values and shapes how we are building the airline for the long term. 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," Goel said.
Industry experts note that domestic SAF production can reduce emissions and bolster energy security for India, which remains heavily reliant on crude oil imports. However, scaling efforts continue to face obstacles from fragmented supply chains and complex feedstock aggregation.
BPCL Director of Marketing Subhankar Sen addressed these challenges, pointing to the long-term potential of renewable fuels. "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 SAF ecosystem," Sen said.
