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India Legalises SAF Blending In Jet Fuel, Expands ATF Definition In Major Policy Shift

Aviation Today News Desk April 24, 2026

New Delhi, India: India has formally allowed the blending of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), ethanol and other synthetic hydrocarbons into aviation

New Delhi, India: India’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector is set for sustained growth, with the market expected to reach $5.7 billion by 2030, up from an estimated $4.4 billion in 2025, according to a study report by Alan Lim and Joshua Ng, Directors of Singapore-based Alton Aviation Consultancy and aviation industry veterans. The report estimates a compound annual growth rate of about 5.4 percent, supported by rapid fleet expansion, increasing passenger traffic, and ongoing policy support aimed at strengthening the country’s aviation ecosystem. India’s commercial aircraft fleet is projected to expand significantly, crossing 1,800 aircraft by 2030. The growth will be led by narrow-body aircraft, which are expected to nearly double in number from over 700 currently to more than 1,300 within the decade. Beyond MRO growth, India is advancing a broader aerospace ecosystem to sustain long-term aviation expansion. “The government has set ambitious targets to expand domestic passenger traffic, increase the number of operational airports, and strengthen workforce and manufacturing capabilities, supported by large scale investments in airport infrastructure and new greenfield developments,” said Lim. Ng added, “Special economic zones, including GIFT City, are being positioned to anchor aircraft leasing.” Airlines in India have also placed substantial aircraft orders, with over 500 deliveries expected in the next five years, indicating a steady rise in maintenance demand across the aviation value chain. India’s airport infrastructure expansion continues to gather pace, with Navi Mumbai International Airport already operational since December 2025 and Noida International Airport set to begin operations in 2026, offering initial capacities of 12 million and 20 million passengers annually, respectively. Further capacity additions are underway with Dholera International Airport, targeted for completion by December 2026, and Bhogapuram International Airport, expected by June 2026, backed by significant planned investments. The study highlights that engine maintenance will contribute nearly half of the total MRO demand, making it the dominant segment in the market. At the same time, airframe maintenance and modification services are expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. Global and domestic players are accelerating investments in India’s MRO ecosystem. Safran has inaugurated a €200 million LEAP engine MRO facility in Hyderabad to strengthen next-generation engine overhaul capabilities. IndiGo, in collaboration with Bengaluru International Airport, has also begun developing a dedicated MRO facility to support its growing fleet. Meanwhile, Thales has expanded its presence with a new avionics MRO facility, while the Adani Group has strengthened its position in the sector through the acquisitions of Air Works and AAR-Indamer Technics. Higher aircraft utilisation and increased flight frequencies are likely to drive more frequent maintenance cycles, particularly for engines and structural components. The government’s ongoing push to expand aviation infrastructure is expected to play a critical role in supporting the sector. Plans to develop over 100 additional airports in the coming years are set to take the total number of airports in India to more than 200 by 2030. This expansion, along with improved regional connectivity and continued growth of low-cost carriers, is expected to sustain long-term demand for MRO services. The report notes that recent policy measures including tax rationalisation, liberalised foreign investment norms, and initiatives to strengthen aircraft leasing and financing are improving the overall operating environment for MRO providers in India. These reforms are aimed at enhancing cost competitiveness and encouraging global players to establish or expand their MRO operations in the country, while reducing dependence on overseas facilities.

India’s MRO Market To Reach $5.7 Billion By 2030 Driven By Rapid Fleet Expansion

Aviation Today News Desk April 11, 2026

New Delhi, India: India’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector is set for sustained growth, with the market expected to reach

India Sees 11 Airline Exits Since 2016 Amid Financial Stress, Structural Challenges

Aviation Today News Desk April 4, 2026

New Delhi, India: At least 11 airlines have exited India’s aviation sector since 2016, the government informed Parliament, focusing on the

New Delhi, India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has placed on hold its directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight without additional seat selection charges, effectively pausing a key passenger-rights reform introduced last month. According to official communication cited by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the provision has been kept “in abeyance till further orders” pending a comprehensive review of its operational and commercial implications. The directive, announced on March 18, 2026, had proposed that airlines make a majority of seats available for free selection at the time of booking. It also aimed to address long-standing passenger concerns over paid seating preferences and family members being separated during allocation. However, the ministry has now paused implementation after receiving representations from airline operators and industry bodies, including the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents major carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet. Airlines had strongly opposed the move, arguing that seat-selection fees form a significant portion of their ancillary revenue. Industry stakeholders warned that limiting this income stream could force carriers to increase base fares across the board, potentially impacting overall affordability for passengers. According to the ministry’s communication to DGCA, the decision to pause the directive was taken after reviewing concerns related to “operational and commercial implications,” as well as consistency with India’s deregulated airfare framework. Under the current system, airlines are permitted to independently price services such as preferred seating, baggage, and meals, with regulators intervening only in cases of unfair or non-transparent practices. The suspended directive was originally introduced as part of a broader effort to improve transparency in airline pricing and address complaints regarding “dark patterns” in seat allocation, where passengers often end up paying extra to avoid random seating. At present, airlines typically offer only 20% share of seats free of charge, with the rest subject to selection fees that vary depending on seat location and demand. The ministry has not indicated a timeline for a revised framework, stating that the matter remains under examination. With the directive now on hold, airlines will continue operating under the existing seat selection policy until further notice. The government is expected to reassess the balance between consumer protection and airline financial sustainability before issuing a revised order.

Govt Puts 60% No-Fee Seat Selection Rule On Hold Amid Airline Revenue Concerns

Aviation Today News Desk April 3, 2026

New Delhi, India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation has placed on hold its directive requiring airlines to offer at least 60

New Delhi, India: The Government of India has appointed senior IAS officer Vir Vikram Yadav as the new Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), replacing Faiz Ahmed Kidwai in a significant bureaucratic reshuffle affecting multiple senior administrative positions across ministries. According to an official order cited by PTI and reported across multiple outlets, the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) approved the transfer as part of a broader restructuring of top government posts. Yadav, a 1996-batch IAS officer of the Odisha cadre, was serving as Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change before his appointment to the aviation regulator. He will now head the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India’s apex civil aviation safety and regulatory authority. Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, who assumed charge as DGCA chief in January 2025, has been transferred to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) as Additional Secretary. The reshuffle comes amid heightened attention on India’s civil aviation sector, which has faced operational disruptions, safety scrutiny, and regulatory challenges over the past year. Recent reports indicate that the DGCA has been engaged in oversight of airline safety compliance, pilot duty-time regulations, and operational disruptions involving major carriers like IndiGo. The regulator has also been under pressure following incidents that triggered large-scale cancellations and intensified scrutiny of airline preparedness and safety systems. Both IndiGo and Air India, which together dominate India’s domestic aviation market, have been at the centre of regulatory attention over the past year due to operational and safety-related issues. Last Year In December, IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, faced heightened regulatory scrutiny after operational disruptions led to widespread flight delays and cancellations. Airline reports indicated that the disruption resulted in hundreds of cancellations over a short period, affecting passenger movement during peak travel schedules and triggering passenger inconvenience across key airports including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. While the government has not officially linked the leadership change to sector developments, reports indicate that the reshuffle is part of a wider administrative exercise involving 12 secretary-level and 27 additional secretary-level postings across ministries. The DGCA, functioning under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, is responsible for regulating air safety, licensing, airworthiness standards, and enforcement of civil aviation regulations in India.

DGCA Appoints Vir Vikram Yadav As The New Director General Replacing Faiz Ahmed Kidwai

Aviation Today News Desk April 1, 2026

New Delhi, India: The Government of India has appointed senior IAS officer Vir Vikram Yadav as the new Director General of

India-EU Aviation Pact Boosts Manufacturing As Airbus-Tata H125 Project Advances

Aviation Today News Desk March 28, 2026

New Delhi, India: India and the European Union signed a Working Arrangement on Industrial Aviation Production on March 23, 2026, in

India Approves $3Bn Aviation Push, Plans 100 New Airports Under Revamped UDAN Scheme

Aviation Today News Desk March 26, 2026

New Delhi, India: India has approved a sweeping expansion of its aviation sector, committing approximately $3.06 billion (₹28,840 crore) to strengthen

Govt Removes Fare Caps As Airlines Oppose 60% Seats Free Of Selection Charges

Aviation Today News Desk March 24, 2026

New Delhi, India: A policy push by the government to strengthen passenger rights and enforce fare transparency has triggered sharp resistance

India Aviation Sector Losses Cross ₹24,000 Crore In 3 Years; ₹10,000 Crore More Likely

Aviation Today News Desk March 20, 2026

New Delhi, India: India’s aviation sector has incurred cumulative losses of ₹24,819 crore over a three-year period from FY2022–23 to FY2024–25,

India Mandates 60% Seats Free of Selection Charges, Ensures Same PNR Seating Together

Aviation Today News Desk March 18, 2026

New Delhi, India: In a significant passenger-centric reform for India’s rapidly expanding aviation sector, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed

India

India Legalises SAF Blending In Jet Fuel, Expands ATF Definition In Major Policy Shift

India’s MRO Market To Reach $5.7 Billion By 2030 Driven By Rapid Fleet Expansion

Govt Puts 60% No-Fee Seat Selection Rule On Hold Amid Airline Revenue Concerns

DGCA Appoints Vir Vikram Yadav As The New Director General Replacing Faiz Ahmed Kidwai

India-EU Aviation Pact Boosts Manufacturing As Airbus-Tata H125 Project Advances

India Approves $3Bn Aviation Push, Plans 100 New Airports Under Revamped UDAN Scheme

Govt Removes Fare Caps As Airlines Oppose 60% Seats Free Of Selection Charges

India Aviation Sector Losses Cross ₹24,000 Crore In 3 Years; ₹10,000 Crore More Likely

India Mandates 60% Seats Free of Selection Charges, Ensures Same PNR Seating Together

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