IndiGo embarks on SAF journey

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Aiming to cut carbon footprint, IndiGo is undertaking various steps to modernise its fleet by phasing out older Airbus A320 CEO aircraft for the more fuel-efficient A320 Neo aircraft.

Implementing weight reduction measures on board, optimising flight routes, improving flight operations, and following fuel-efficient best practice are some of the other steps India’s largest airline is undertaking as it focuses on environment social governance (ESG).

In its first ESG report, the first domestic airline to do so, it showcased its efforts in sustainable aviation.

“The report comes as IndiGo is in the process of raising Rs 3,000 crore through a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) and is aiming to attract marquee overseas funds that are focusing increasingly on sustainable investing,” a report in the Business Standard said.

IndiGo is also exploring the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in aircraft. The airline has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with an international SAF provider.

However, the carrier did not reveal the name of the SAF provider.

Commercial aviation is responsible for about 2-3% of the global carbon emissions. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg has given up flying to reduce her personal carbon footprint, boosting the “flight shame” movement in Europe and other parts of the world.

“The utilisation of SAF commercially is still a few years away but as a leader in Indian aviation, we have already embarked on this journey by signing our first MoU with an international SAF provider,” IndiGo said.

The airline said it saved 4.67 lakh tonnes of aviation turbine fuel between 2014-15 to 2020-21.

The carrier said it aims to reduce its carbon dioxide emission by 18% per available seat kilometer (ASK) in 2022-23 as compared to 2015-16.

ASK measures the passenger carrying capacity of the airline and it is calculated by multiplying the total number of seats in flights to the total number of kilometres flown by them.