Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Centre rejects ethanol-ATF blending claims as 'completely false, irresponsible'
Some people said the Indian government wanted to mix ethanol, a fuel made from plants, into the fuel used by airplanes.
The minister in charge of civil aviation said that is not true at all, and called the claim 'completely false and irresponsible'.
He said the government has no plan to do this.
He explained that ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel are completely different things.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a special fuel checked by international experts and used safely by planes around the world.
A leader named Arvind Kejriwal said he was worried that adding ethanol to plane fuel could be dangerous, and asked if an engine might stop in the air.
Another leader from the ruling party named Amit Malviya said Kejriwal was spreading fear and making up stories.
The argument also included car fuel, because India already sells E20 petrol, which has some ethanol mixed into it.
The government says there is no plan to add more ethanol beyond E20.
The two sides do not agree, but the government says passenger safety is its top priority.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu dismissed claims of a government plan to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), calling them 'completely false and irresponsible'.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said no such proposal is under consideration, following remarks by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal.
Kejriwal raised safety concerns over what he called 'adulterated aviation fuel', questioned whether aircraft engines might stop mid-air, and alleged the government planned ethanol blending in diesel and in petrol beyond 50%.
The minister clarified that ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are entirely different fuels, with SAF internationally certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and adopted globally.
BJP IT department head Amit Malviya accused Kejriwal of spreading 'fake news' and 'panic', saying the Centre has made clear there is no decision to increase ethanol blending beyond E20.
- Who
- Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT department head Amit Malviya.
- What
- The government rejected claims of a proposal to blend ethanol with Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF), while a heated dispute over E20 petrol and possible future ethanol blending unfolded.
- When
- Thursday, August 6.
- Where
- India, in public exchanges on the social media platform X, with the Ministry of Civil Aviation issuing statements from New Delhi.
- Why
- Kejriwal raised safety concerns over what he called 'adulterated aviation fuel' and alleged plans for higher ethanol blending; the minister said such claims are false and create 'needless anxiety' among air travellers.
Government's Position
AAP / Opposition's Position
Ethanol blending with aviation fuel
Government's Position
There is no proposal to blend ethanol with ATF; ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are entirely different fuels, and the claim is 'completely false and irresponsible'.
AAP / Opposition's Position
Citing media reports, Kejriwal claimed travellers could be asked to fly on 'adulterated aviation fuel' and questioned whether aircraft engines might stop in the air.
Ethanol blending in petrol and diesel
Government's Position
No decision has been taken to increase ethanol blending beyond E20; the programme was implemented in phases over more than two decades.
AAP / Opposition's Position
Kejriwal alleged the government planned ethanol blending in diesel and blending beyond 50% in petrol, urging people not to buy new petrol or diesel vehicles; AAP says E20 is harming vehicle owners.
Scientific backing for E20
Government's Position
Malviya said E20 was not a rushed decision and was preceded by extensive testing and consultations with all relevant stakeholders; a debate on an 'imaginary E50' is 'politics of spreading fear'.
AAP / Opposition's Position
Kejriwal challenged Malviya to make public any study carried out before the rollout of E20 petrol.
- Civil Aviation Minister
- Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu
- Date
- Thursday, August 6
- Government position
- No proposal to blend ethanol with ATF; claims called 'completely false and irresponsible'
- Sustainable Aviation Fuel
- Internationally certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and adopted globally
- E20 fuel
- A blend of 80% petrol and 20% ethanol
- Government stance on blending
- No decision to increase ethanol blending beyond E20
- Kejriwal's allegations
- Ethanol blending planned in diesel and in petrol beyond 50% (E50)
- AAP position
- E20 petrol is harming vehicle owners
Sources
Centre rejects AAP's claims of ethanol blending in aviation fuel
Ram Mohan Naidu clears the air on ethanol blending with ATF claim, says no such proposal exists: ‘Completely false’
Govt rejects claims of ethanol blending in aviation fuel
