India is making decisive strides toward sustainable aviation, with 93 airports now operating entirely on green energy, marking a major milestone in the country’s clean transport transition. The update was shared in Parliament by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, highlighting how renewable power is becoming central to airport operations nationwide.
In a written response to the Lok Sabha, Mohol confirmed that four major airports have achieved Level 5 carbon accreditation, the highest global benchmark under the Airport Carbon Accreditation framework. This status recognises them as carbon neutral, underscoring India’s alignment with international climate standards in aviation.
As the minister stated, “India’s aviation sector is moving decisively towards carbon neutrality through renewable energy adoption and policy-driven reforms.”
Beyond airport operations, the government has approved indicative blending targets for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in conventional jet fuel, starting with international flights. The roadmap sets blending levels at 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030, reinforcing India’s long-term decarbonisation strategy for air transport while encouraging domestic SAF production.
Policy reform is also reshaping infrastructure development. A Greenfield Airport Policy now guides the planning of new airports, with proposals reviewed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in coordination with state governments and regional authorities. These projects are a core component of the Viksit Bharat vision, aimed at inclusive economic growth and stronger regional connectivity.
Large greenfield airports are expected to act as growth engines, stimulating industrial clusters, logistics corridors, and urban development in surrounding regions. Parallel to this, India is nurturing an aircraft manufacturing ecosystem, including regional transport aircraft and aviation equipment.
Supportive measures such as tax rationalisation, regulatory simplification, streamlined maintenance procedures, and facilitation for foreign aviation specialists are helping position India as a competitive, sustainable aviation hub in the coming decade.
