Fast-growing SpiceJet has successfully conducted India’s first-ever biofuel-powered flight. The airline performed the flight on the Dehradun-Delhi route using a Bombardier Q400.

SpiceJet claims to be the only airline in India to explore operations powered by biofuel and says it intends to undertake operations using a blend of 75% aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and 25% biofuel, which has the potential of reducing the carbon footprint by 15%.

Made from Jatropha crop, the fuel has been developed by the Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP), one of the constituent laboratories of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) based in Dehradun.

The fuel has been recognised by ASTM International and meets the specification standards of Pratt & Whitney and Bombardier for commercial application in aircraft.

SpiceJet chairman Ajay Singh says biofuel has the potential to reduce the carrier's dependence on traditional aviation fuel by up to 50% on every flight. Thanks to this and other “green” initiatives — including the arrival of 200 fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX aircraft over the coming years — the airline expects to be “much ahead” of IATA targets for 2020 and 2025.