The international aviation industry has already discussed its plan to obtain net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The authentic equipment manufacturer, namely, the renowned Boeing is decidedly traversing its way to convert the airline’s present fleet to an absolute 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). To throw some light on SAF, it is a biofuel presented with a lower carbon footprint as compared to traditional jet fuel. SAF is currently approved for employment in every aircraft in a combination of 50% with jet fuel.
This whole instance is backed by Boeing’s further commitments as to how every aircraft from 2030 onwards will be accomplished as well as licensed to fly with the help of 100% SAF. Concurrently, it is also finding methods to fly the prevalent fleet on SAF. Ryan Faucett, director of the environmental strategy of Boeing Co. has stated in an interview that “Imagine that if there is something required for the older aircraft to accept a 100% SAF it will have the same process where you are getting an upgrade to the airplane or fuel system if required.”
Coming to the ongoing process, the aircraft manufacturer is in the process of analyzing technical solutions that scrutinize in detail the methodology of advancing airframes or engines for greater improvisation. This is conducted for understanding the aircraft’s competence to operate on completely 100% SAF through the implementation of a component fix. If such a mix is permitted by all the regulators, then the airlines will be able to advance their fleet either during the time of maintenance or transport the aircraft to a licensed repair establishment of Boeing.
The establishment is also attending to the solutions where the fuel ingredients in a high-mixture green fuel can repay for the blend limit in an aircraft. According to Faucett, the regulatory authorities might also consider the fuel properties and refine them to enable a fuel for 100% SAF license without requiring any modification conducted in the aircraft.
It has also been backed that the regulatory bodies will pass on the final verdict regarding whether there is a requirement for any technical fix or not. Though, the whole concept of SAF is still fresh in Indian airlines. To this day, only a handful of demonstration flights have operated on this blended fuel for restrained carbon emissions.
In 2018, SpiceJet set off the first-ever flight operating on a mixture of 75% aviation turbine fuel and 25% bio jet fuel extracted from the jatropha plant. India is in the process of making it mandatory for airlines to mix eco-friendly fuels with fossil-based aviation fuels. Presently, India has three favorable approaches to retrieving eco-friendly fuel, and those are focused on cooking oil, feedstock, and power-to-liquid utilizing green hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
According to a June 2021 report stated by the World Economic Forum, India is perceived to become the third biggest aviation fuel enjoyer in the world by the year 2050 – an escalation from the eighth position in 2019. Currently, India is home to greater than 700 commercial airplanes.
