India now joins the list of few elite nations to operate an aircraft using alternative energy sources like biofuel as the low-cost carrier SpiceJet successfully flies a demonstration flight on biofuel from Dehradun to Delhi. The airline conducted a trial run using Bombardier Q400 (VT-SUI) turboprop aircraft at Dehradun.
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Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat flaged off the SpiceJet Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft from Dehradun’s Jolly Grant airport.
The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Dehradun-based Indian Institute of Petroleum has developed the fuel used in this project. This fuel is prepared using vegetable oils, sugar, animal fats and waste biomass, which can be used in existing engines without modification. The made-in-India alternative fuel has acquired all statutory clearances, including those from designated testing labs and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
The low cost airlines are looking to cut their operating costs, especially their aviation fuel bill and are switching to alternate fuels like biofuel could bring costs down which in turn could boost the aviation sector in the country. The transportation sector’s decision to test the feasibility of the usage of cleaner fuels is commendable, as it could bring greater efficiency with less pollution.
With this feat, India joins the league of elite countries, which include Canada, Australia and United States to operate commercial airways on bio fuel.