Environment

Electrification drive at airports

Our ground operations are working on a focused electrification strategy. As a part of this strategy, we have been investing heavily on electric vehicles (EVs) as a preferred option for all new vehicle purchases. However, this is subject to the availability of corresponding airport infrastructure and opportunity in the form of re-fleeting or expansion plans.

Since our inception, operations have been heavily reliant on ground power units (GPUs), instead of auxiliary power units (APUs). The former significantly contributes to reducing CO2 emissions. In FY 2023, we initiated utilising pre-conditioned air to further our decarbonisation journey.

Sustainable aviation fuel

Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is emerging as a game changer in decarbonisation efforts for most global airlines. SAF reduces life cycle emissions by up to 80%6, when compared to Jet Fuel. As per the IATA Net Zero by 2050 roadmap, 65% of the net zero goal will be achieved through the use of SAF. IndiGo is committed and focused on deploying SAF as an alternative fuel option. However, globally, and also in the Indian context, SAF’s availability is a constraining factor. We have already partnered with IIP (Indian Institute of Petroleum) Dehradun, a research organisation, which is conducting research in this field. In FY 2023, a leading oil marketing company in India has initiated work on commissioning a plant in northern India, which is likely to reach completion by 2026. This is a welcome news for the industry as it will help airlines deploy sustainable fuel options in the near future. However, for the Indian aviation industry to use SAF as mainstream fuel, it is imperative that significant SAF capacity is created rapidly and the fuel is available at a commercially viable price to allow an easy substitution for the operators.

IATA roadmap to achieving net zero by 2050

Electrical and CNG ground vehicles and equipment

206,444 GJ

Energy saving

14,540 tCO2

Carbon emission saving

65% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

13% New technology, electric and hydrogen

3% Infrastructure and operational efficiency

19% Offsetting and carbon capture

GHG Intensity

GHG (Greenhouse Gases) Intensity, a unit measure of GHG emissions for an airline, can be calculated by dividing the total carbon emissions of an airline with its capacity (measured in ASKs7), or its passenger traffic (measured in RPKs8).

GHG Intensity is positively affected by usage of latest generation aircraft, sustainable aviation fuel, high seat density, passenger load factor, and efficiency during in-flight

59.5 gm of CO2 /ASK in FY 2023 and on-ground operations. Our focussed efforts on most of these items have helped us improve our GHG Intensity over the years, making us a global leader in low GHG emissions. In the future, GHG Intensity may become an influencing factor in a customer’s decision-making process. There is a growing consensus in certain parts of the world on the eco labelling of flights. This will enable customers to review the environmental impact of the flight they are booking.

72.4 gm of CO2 /RPK in FY 2023

20% reduced emissions vs FY 2016