MUMBAI, September 14, 2026 — First BPCL SAF uplift for Akasa Air powers scheduled Mumbai-Goa flight. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited and Akasa Air operated scheduled flight QP1105 from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, to Manohar International Airport, Goa, on September 8, 2026, on Aviation Turbine Fuel blended with 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The aircraft left at 1304 hrs IST and arrived at 1407 hrs IST.
The sector places a 1% SAF mix on a regular passenger timetable and records how the fuel is handled at an Indian airport. It follows the July 2026 memorandum of understanding between BPCL and Akasa Air on development, supply and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel and on work to cut aviation’s carbon footprint. BPCL completed its first SAF refuelling for Akasa Air at Mumbai. Officials from BPCL, Akasa Air, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Mumbai International Airport Limited, the Central Industrial Security Force and other aviation parties watched the uplift.
Subhankar Sen, Director (Marketing), BPCL, said the shift from conventional fuels to sustainable alternatives is an environmental and strategic need for India. Fragmented feedstock chains had limited supply; work along the value chain has built a base for a viable SAF system. India imports large volumes of crude, so indigenous sustainable fuels support energy security. He thanked the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA.
Ankur Goel, Chief Financial Officer, Akasa Air, said sustainability shapes how the airline is built. The flight turns the BPCL partnership into operational use. Scaling SAF in India will need domestic supply, policy and commercial viability.
BPCL has identified SAF manufacturing pathways at its Mumbai, Bina and Kochi refineries. The flight adds operational data on blend use in scheduled service.
BPCL is an integrated energy company. Akasa Air operates a growing Indian network.
