DGCA May Require Carbon Emissions Reporting for International Flights as India Boosts SAF Blending: CORSIA Compliance, Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap, Airline Impact & What It Means

India is preparing for a significant shift in aviation sustainability as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is expected to make carbon emissions reporting mandatory for international flight operators. The proposed framework would require Indian and foreign airlines operating international services to and from India to report data covering at least 90% of their annual carbon emissions from operations involving international airports in the country. The move aligns India's aviation sector with the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) while supporting the government's ambitious Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) roadmap. Recent discussions chaired by the Ministry of Civil Aviation have also focused on carbon accounting, SAF production and blending targets, indicating that India is accelerating its aviation decarbonisation strategy.

The proposed reporting requirement is expected to create a uniform regulatory framework for all international carriers operating in India, ensuring transparency in emissions reporting while preventing competitive distortions between domestic and foreign airlines. Alongside the reporting mandate, India has reaffirmed its phased SAF blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 for international flights departing from India. These measures are part of a broader effort to reduce aviation's carbon footprint while strengthening India's position as an emerging hub for sustainable aviation fuel production.

Key Highlights

What Is DGCA Planning?

According to government and industry sources, DGCA is likely to introduce regulations requiring airlines operating international flights to:

• Report verified annual carbon emissions.

• Cover at least 90% of emissions generated from international operations involving Indian airports.

• Follow internationally accepted monitoring and reporting standards.

• Submit emissions data for regulatory compliance under India's CORSIA implementation framework.

The proposal is intended to establish consistent reporting requirements for both domestic and foreign operators.

Why Is This Being Introduced?

India's aviation sector is witnessing rapid passenger growth while simultaneously facing increasing global pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The proposed framework aims to:

• Meet ICAO CORSIA obligations.

• Improve carbon accounting accuracy.

• Encourage greater adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

• Support India's long-term climate commitments.

• Create a level playing field among international carriers.

• Strengthen environmental compliance within the aviation sector.

Understanding CORSIA

The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) is ICAO's global mechanism designed to stabilise emissions from international aviation.

Under CORSIA, participating countries monitor airline emissions and require eligible operators to offset emissions growth through approved carbon reduction mechanisms.

India is now strengthening its domestic regulatory framework to ensure smooth implementation of these international obligations.

India's Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Roadmap

Alongside emissions reporting, India has outlined an ambitious SAF blending programme.

Proposed Targets

These targets currently focus on international departures, with domestic production capacity expected to expand through refinery upgrades and private sector participation.

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

Sustainable Aviation Fuel is produced using renewable feedstocks such as:

• Agricultural residues.

• Used cooking oil.

• Municipal waste.

• Biomass.

• Industrial waste streams.

Compared with conventional aviation turbine fuel, SAF can significantly reduce lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions while remaining compatible with existing aircraft and airport infrastructure.

Which Airlines Could Be Affected?

The proposed reporting norms are expected to apply to:

• Indian scheduled international airlines.

• Foreign airlines operating international services to and from India.

• Eligible operators covered under CORSIA reporting requirements.

Domestic-only flights are not the immediate focus of the current proposal.

Impact on Airlines

If implemented, airlines may need to:

• Upgrade emissions monitoring systems.

• Maintain detailed fuel consumption records.

• Strengthen carbon accounting processes.

• Submit verified annual environmental reports.

• Increase the use of SAF over time.

• Integrate sustainability reporting into operational planning.

Large international carriers already following similar international standards are expected to adapt more easily.

Benefits for India

The proposed framework could:

• Improve aviation sustainability.

• Encourage domestic SAF manufacturing.

• Reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels.

• Support India's Net Zero ambitions.

• Enhance global regulatory credibility.

• Attract investment in green aviation technologies.

• Promote innovation in low-carbon aviation.

Challenges Ahead

Despite the benefits, implementation may face challenges such as:

• Limited availability of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.

• Higher SAF production costs.

• Infrastructure development.

• Carbon verification mechanisms.

• Additional compliance costs for airlines.

• Scaling domestic refinery capacity.

Industry stakeholders continue to discuss policy incentives to accelerate SAF adoption.

What Happens Next?

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA are expected to finalise:

• Carbon reporting regulations.

• Technical reporting standards.

• Compliance timelines.

• Verification mechanisms.

• Integration with India's SAF implementation roadmap.

Detailed operational guidelines are expected once the regulatory framework is formally notified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is carbon emissions reporting mandatory now?

Not yet. DGCA is likely to introduce the reporting requirement, and detailed regulations are expected after the policy framework is finalised.

Who will have to report emissions?

The proposal is expected to cover both Indian and foreign airlines operating international flights involving Indian airports.

What is the 90% reporting requirement?

Operators may be required to report emissions covering at least 90% of their annual international flight operations connected with Indian airports.

What is Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)?

SAF is an alternative aviation fuel produced from renewable feedstocks that can substantially reduce lifecycle carbon emissions compared with conventional jet fuel.

What are India's SAF blending targets?

India has outlined targets of 1% SAF blending by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030 for international flights.

Why is India introducing these measures?

The initiative supports ICAO CORSIA compliance, strengthens carbon accounting, promotes cleaner aviation fuels and advances India's long-term aviation sustainability goals.

Final Update

India's aviation sector is entering a new phase of environmental regulation as the DGCA moves towards mandatory carbon emissions reporting for international airlines while simultaneously accelerating the adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Together, these initiatives are expected to strengthen India's compliance with global aviation climate standards, encourage investment in domestic SAF production and improve transparency in airline emissions reporting. Although detailed implementation guidelines are still awaited, airlines, fuel producers and airport operators are expected to begin preparing for a more sustainability-focused regulatory environment over the coming years.