New Delhi, Aug 2026 : Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Thursday rejected claims that the government is considering blending ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), describing such assertions as false and irresponsible and warning that misinformation on aviation safety could create unnecessary concern among passengers.
Naidu's clarification came after former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal alleged that the government was planning to mix ethanol with aviation fuel, raising questions over the safety of air travel.
Responding on social media platform X, Naidu categorically denied the claim and said there was no such proposal under consideration.
“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,” Naidu said.
The Minister also sought to distinguish between ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), saying the two should not be confused.
According to Naidu, SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and is being adopted by several countries as part of efforts to reduce carbon emissions from the aviation sector.
He said SAF undergoes stringent testing and must meet internationally prescribed safety and performance standards before being approved for use in aircraft.
The clarification comes amid India's rapid expansion of aviation infrastructure and growing efforts to modernise the country's airports.
Earlier this week, the government informed Parliament that India's total annual passenger-handling capacity at airports has crossed 580 million passengers, reflecting significant growth in infrastructure over recent years.
The increase has been driven by continuous expansion and modernisation undertaken by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) as well as private airport operators.
The government said airport development projects are being undertaken after considering several factors, including passenger traffic growth, operational requirements, airline demand, financial viability and techno-economic feasibility.
With India's aviation sector expanding rapidly, the government has emphasised that safety standards will remain central to the adoption of new fuels and technologies, while efforts to reduce aviation emissions continue.
Team Maverick
