No proposal to blend ethanol with ATF, says Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu

Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu on Thursday dismissed as "completely false and irresponsible" claims that the Centre is planning to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), asserting that no such proposal exists and warning that misinformation on aviation safety creates unnecessary anxiety among passengers. 

The clarification came after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged in a post on X that the government was planning to mix ethanol with ATF, claiming that experts had raised concerns over potential risks to flight safety. 

Rejecting the allegation, Naidu said there is no proposal to blend ethanol with ATF. "The claim that the government plans to blend ethanol with ATF is completely false and irresponsible. There is no such proposal. Spreading misinformation on aviation safety only creates needless anxiety among air travellers. Passenger safety remains the Government's highest priority," the minister said in a post on X. 

Naidu further clarified that ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are fundamentally different and should not be confused. 

He said SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and widely adopted across the global aviation industry. According to the minister, SAF undergoes rigorous testing and complies with stringent international safety standards before being approved for use. 

The remarks come days after the Centre reiterated its commitment to the E20 ethanol-blended petrol programme while ruling out any rollback of the policy. 

Earlier this week, Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Suresh Gopi told the Rajya Sabha that there is no proposal to reintroduce E0 or E10 petrol, noting that the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme has been implemented in a phased and consultative manner with inputs from NITI Aayog, automobile manufacturers, Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI), the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) and other technical institutions. 

The government said the E20 programme has been scientifically validated and has resulted in foreign exchange savings of more than ₹1.97 lakh crore. 

Gopi also clarified in a separate written reply to Parliament that no decision has been taken to increase ethanol blending in petrol beyond the current 20% level. 

He said any future proposal to raise the blending percentage would be considered only after comprehensive scientific and technical assessments and consultations with key stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers, OMCs and research institutions. 

The clarification follows concerns from some quarters that higher ethanol blending could adversely affect vehicle performance and fuel efficiency. However, the government has maintained that any future policy changes would be guided by scientific evidence and stakeholder consultations.