Air India Uses Data-Driven Tech to Cut Emissions and Boost Efficiency

Air India Group has begun a broad rollout of data tools and cleaner fuel commitments designed to cut emissions and save fuel across its network, a move company leaders say ties directly to its five‑year Vihaan.AI transformation plan and India’s push to build a greener aviation sector. The airline confirmed on 13 September 2025 that SITA OptiFlight, including its OptiClimb module, and the SITA eWAS weather platform are now live on Airbus A320 aircraft and Air India Express Boeing 737s serving domestic and international routes, with the widebody fleet set to follow in the coming months. Combined with a new supply agreement for Sustainable Aviation Fuel with Indian Oil Corporation Limited, the strategy positions the carrier to cut about 35,000 tons of carbon emissions and save roughly 11,100 tons of fuel each year, according to company disclosures and partner statements.

Key leadership statements

• Sumesh Patel, President for Asia Pacific at SITA, called the deployment across Air India and Air India Express “a strong example of how smart digital technologies can cut emissions, save fuel, and unlock real operational value across every flight.”
• Basil Kwauk, Air India’s Chief Operations Officer: “Sustainability and efficiency are core to our transformation into a world-class airline. With SITA OptiFlight and SITA eWAS, we’re taking meaningful steps to modernize our operations and reduce our carbon footprint.”
• CEO and Managing Director Campbell Wilson tied the Sustainable Aviation Fuel agreement to broader goals: Air India’s Memorandum of Understanding with IndianOil supports the Government of India’s efforts on greener growth and aligns the airline with IATA’s Net Zero by 2050 commitment.

What the technology does (flight deck and dispatch impact)

SITA OptiFlight and SITA eWAS work together to give crews more precise, flight-specific guidance:

• SITA OptiFlight / OptiClimb
  • Uses historical flight records and aircraft‑specific performance models.
  • Matches performance data with four‑dimensional weather forecasts.
  • Produces a tailored climb plan for the exact aircraft and day—critical because climb is one of the most fuel‑hungry phases of flight.
• SITA eWAS
  • Feeds real‑time weather and predictive updates (satellite weather, turbulence, convective activity) to cockpit tablets or avionics apps.
  • Helps crews avoid turbulence, take smoother routes, and prevent fuel‑wasting deviations.

Together, pilots receive pre‑pushback guidance and then adjust in flight based on live weather and performance data. The objective: reduce wasted fuel without compromising safety.

Small, repeated improvements—fewer minutes at non‑ideal altitudes, smoother tracks, fewer last‑minute reroutes—add up across hundreds of daily flights.

Projected environmental and operational impact

• Annual reduction: ~35,000 tons CO₂
• Annual fuel saved: ~11,100 tons
• Scope: Targeted narrowbody fleets now; widebody integration expected late 2025 or early 2026
• SAF supply: MoU with IndianOil’s Panipat Refinery (ISCC CORSIA‑certified) supports India’s 5% SAF blend target by 2030 and helps meet obligations under ICAO’s CORSIA

While initial SAF volumes will be modest, executives describe the deal as a practical step to build a reliable domestic SAF supply chain.

How the program is measured and refined

Operational teams have established a continuous measurement and feedback loop:

1. Predicted savings are compared to actual fuel burn.
2. Learnings feed back into flight planning rules and crew guidance.
3. Climb profiles and weather‑based choices are fine‑tuned as more data arrives.
4. Pilots and dispatch see tangible results—liters saved and CO₂ avoided—which improves buy‑in.

This is intended as a living program, not a one‑off installation.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) — basics and relevance

• SAF is a drop‑in fuel that can be blended with conventional jet fuel and used in existing aircraft without technical changes.
• Lifecycle emissions reductions depend on feedstock and production pathways.
• IndianOil’s Panipat certification ensures chain-of-custody and emissions accounting meet global standards, which matters for CORSIA compliance.
• Early SAF use may be targeted on select routes or stations with simpler logistics; scale depends on production growth and costs.

Broader corporate and market context

• Air India returned to Tata group ownership in 2022, leading to a deep operational review and the Vihaan.AI five‑year plan aimed at:
  • Better on‑time performance
  • Stronger customer focus
  • Meaningful climate action
• Practical measures already under Vihaan.AI:
  • Digital flight planning tools (SITA OptiFlight, eWAS)
  • Lighter onboard materials; reduced single‑use plastic
  • Single‑engine taxi where safe
  • Growing use of electric ground vehicles
  • Massive fleet renewal (reported 570 aircraft on order), expected to lower emissions per seat over the decade

Who benefits and how

• Pilots: new preflight briefings, cockpit apps, tailored climb guidance, in‑flight weather updates.
• Dispatchers: more precise data for planning and clearer opportunities to save fuel.
• Maintenance/performance teams: ability to spot aircraft that deviate from expected performance, prompting inspections or adjustments.
• Passengers: smoother rides, quieter climbs, and fewer weather‑related delays.
• Corporate buyers: route‑level emissions data and SAF usage can support corporate climate targets and travel policies.

Financial and competitive implications

• Fuel is one of the largest costs for carriers. Saving ~11,100 tons of fuel per year supports network economics and buffers against price volatility.
• SAF MoU helps de‑risk future compliance costs and supports corporate climate reporting.
• If successful, the rollout could establish a new baseline for Indian and regional carriers and encourage similar tool and SAF adoption.

Operational daily workflow (summary)

• Preflight planning: Review OptiFlight climb plan and eWAS weather visuals.
• In‑flight adjustments: Modify speed and route based on live weather and turbulence data.
• Post‑flight review: Compare actual burn with the plan; track fuel and CO₂ savings and on‑time performance.
• Feedback loop: Use results to refine planning rules and training.

Policy context and market implications

• India’s 5% SAF blend target by 2030 creates demand signals for SAF producers.
• State producers moving into certified SAF supply help carriers meet blend targets without relying solely on imports.
• Participation in ICAO CORSIA ensures international credibility.
• Better climb profiles and weather‑informed routing can ease airport and ATC pressures—helpful during monsoons and peak periods.

Stakeholders watching:
– Regulators and policymakers: Program provides a measurable proof point for cleaner aviation roadmaps.
– Airports and ATC: Potential to reduce delays and smooth traffic flows.
– Competitor airlines: A successful rollout could prompt broader adoption.
– Corporate buyers and travelers: Clear emissions data and SAF use can influence travel and procurement decisions.

What to watch over the next year

• Wider use of SITA tools on long‑haul routes as widebodies are integrated.
• Announcements of SAF uplift on specific flights as supply chains mature.
• Annual emissions and fuel‑burn reporting verifying projected savings.
• Progress on ground‑side projects (electric tugs, gate power, reduced single‑use materials).

Longer‑term outlook

Air India Group’s approach pairs near‑term operational wins—smarter climbs, better weather awareness, lighter aircraft—with longer‑term moves (fleet renewal, SAF scale‑up). Next‑generation technologies (hydrogen, synthetic fuels) are still some way off; for now, this combination offers immediate emissions reductions and operational savings while supporting the airline’s transformation into a more modern, lower‑emissions carrier.

Official sources and contacts

• Company announcements and fleet news: www.airindia.com
• Sustainability projects: Air India Sustainability
• SITA product information and case studies: www.sita.aero
• Indian Oil corporate and refinery updates: www.iocl.com
• Government policy context (Ministry of Civil Aviation): Ministry of Civil Aviation
• Media enquiries: [email protected]

Technology roll‑out and expected impact (summary table)

This coordinated digital‑plus‑fuel strategy aims to deliver measurable emissions reductions now while enabling further gains as widebodies, SAF production, and fleet renewals scale over the coming years.