NEW DELHI: The Centre on Thursday dismissed claims that it is planning to blend ethanol with aviation turbine fuel (ATF), calling the reports “completely false and irresponsible” and urging people not to spread misinformation on aviation safety.Union civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, in a post on X, said there is “no such proposal” under consideration by the government.“The claim that the Government plans to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) is completely false and irresponsible. There is no such proposal,” he said.He clarified that ethanol and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are “entirely different” fuels and should not be confused with one another.Explaining the distinction, Naidu said SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and has been adopted globally. He added that it undergoes rigorous testing and meets stringent international safety standards before being approved for use.“Ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are entirely different and should not be conflated. SAF is an internationally certified aviation fuel recognised by International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and adopted globally. It undergoes rigorous testing and meets stringent global safety standards,” he said.The minister also cautioned against circulating misleading claims related to aviation, saying such misinformation only creates unnecessary anxiety among air travellers.“Spreading misinformation on aviation safety only creates needless anxiety among air travellers. Passenger safety remains the Government’s highest priority,” he said.The clarification comes amid an ongoing debate over ethanol-blended fuels as road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari informed Parliament that E20 petrol (20% ethanol, 80% petrol) may reduce vehicle fuel efficiency by 2-6%, depending on the vehicle category and age, but extensive studies found no evidence of engine failures.
