28 August, 2018: SpiceJet, a low-cost airline headquartered in Gurgaon, India has successfully conducted the country’s first-ever biojet fuel powered flight. The aircraft, a Bombardier Q400, took off from Dehradun and landed at the airport in the national capital.
SpiceJet is the only airline in India to explore aerial operations powered by biojet fuel and intends to commence operations using a blend of 75 percent of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and 25 percent of biojet fuel, which has the potential of reducing carbon footprint by 15%.
Made from Jatropha crop, the fuel has been developed by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), one of the constituent laboratories of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research based in Dehradun.
Last year, SpiceJet placed an order for 205 Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The fuel-efficient Max planes are expected to reduce fuel consumption by about 15 percent. The advanced technology winglet in these aircraft helps reduce the drag and further improves fuel efficiency. Besides, the new Max fleet will leave 40 percent lesser noise footprint. Complete induction of Max fleet with lightweight titanium seats will bring in savings of 22,000 tonnes of fuel each year. With these initiatives SpiceJet will be much ahead of IATA target of 2020 and 2025.