Indian airline SpiceJet has successfully completed the county’s first biofuel powered commercial flight.
It also marks a first for a developing country.
The maiden biofuel flight from Dehradun to New Delhi was operated on a Bombardier Q400 jet using a blend of aviation fuel and jatropha seeds.
SpiceJet said it plans to operate up to a quarter of all flights with biofuel in the coming years, to help reduce carbon emissions by 15%.
The Modi government has set a goal of reducing oil imports by at least 10% over the next four years with biofuel development a major focus.
The country has made strides in electrically powered ground transportation but until now there has been little progress in cleaner aviation fuel.
India is slated to become world’s third largest aviation market by 2025 with domestic air travel booming.
However, virtually every airline has been struggling due to an ultra-competitive low fare market exacerbated by surging fuel costs.
