New Delhi, 06 August (H.S.): Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya has termed Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convenor Arvind Kejriwal’s claim regarding ethanol blending in Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) as misleading. Malviya said the central government has not announced any plan to mix regular ethanol with ATF but has only brought Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) under a regulatory framework.

In a post on X on Thursday, Malviya said SAF is not ordinary ethanol but an aviation-grade fuel developed through advanced technologies. He explained that SAF has a chemical composition similar to conventional aviation turbine fuel and is fully compatible with aircraft engines.

He added that before receiving approval for use in aircraft, SAF undergoes strict testing and certification according to internationally recognised ASTM standards, which are also acknowledged by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). According to the government, certified SAF does not adversely affect the basic nature, safety, or performance of aviation fuel.

Malviya said India is moving forward in line with global aviation standards. Under the ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) framework, several major aviation markets across the world are promoting the use of certified SAF to reduce emissions while maintaining the highest safety standards.

He said comparing certified Sustainable Aviation Fuel with mixing ordinary ethanol into jet fuel is factually incorrect and could create unnecessary concerns regarding aviation safety.

Earlier, Kejriwal had claimed in a post on X that the central government was planning to blend ethanol with ATF. Citing views of some experts, he had alleged that such a move could compromise flight safety.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar