India Already Has the Ethanol, So What's Holding Back Greener Flights? Uncertain Policies and Investment Hurdles

AIDA deputy director Bharati Balaji says India’s existing ethanol capacity can jumpstart sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production, but investment is stalled by uncertain feedstock rules and no long-term offtake guarantees. She urges a feedstock-neutral, lifecycle-based SAF policy with 10-15-year procurement contracts, firm blending mandates, stable incentives, certification and transparent pricing to attract commercial investment.