Whatever the Aviation Fuel!

Yesterday, SpiceJet operated our country's first biojet fuel flight from Dehradun to Delhi. It was a 43 minutes flight in Spicejet’s Bombardier Q-400 aircraft with 20 officials and 5 crew members on board. The flight was powered by a blend of 75% air turbine fuel (ATF) and 25% biojet fuel -A blend of oil from Jatropha seeds and aviation turbine fuel.

As of now the main advantage of biojet fuel is its potential to reduce harmful emissions. However, due to limited production of biojet fuel, its cost is prohibitive. But in future, if produced commercially on a large scale it may turn out to be more economical than imported aviation fuel, thereby making flights environment-friendly and cheaper!

Whatever the Aviation Fuel!

Flights are meant for speedy travel,

Safe and comfortable journey,

With wholesome entertainment,

And some carefree sleep!

Fossil Aviation Fuel,

And homegrown Bio-jet Fuel,

In a mix of any amount,

When entirely safe for the flight,

And better for the environment,

And beneficial to our farmers,

And in lowering airfares,

Is a welcome invention!

I hope you would ensure,

That no fertilizer,

Or pesticide,

Would creep,

Into the fuel,

As is normal,

With our Vegetables,

And Fruits,

And goes uncontrolled,

Causing untold problems.