The Kerala Congress party has raised alarms about the Indian government's recent decision to permit the blending of ethanol and synthetic hydrocarbons in aviation turbine fuel (ATF). They likened the potential dangers to the Air India Express Flight 1344 crash, emphasizing that ethanol's lower energy density of 26.8 MJ/kg compared to ATF's 43.2 MJ/kg could significantly impact aircraft performance, especially during critical phases like take-off. The party highlighted that using ethanol blends might require higher fuel volumes, reducing payload capacity and efficiency. Additionally, they pointed out that ethanol's hygroscopic nature could lead to moisture absorption, risking ice formation in fuel lines at high altitudes. Concerns were also raised about ethanol's potential to degrade materials used in aircraft fuel systems, leading to leaks or contamination. They have called for comprehensive testing before any public rollout to ensure aviation safety. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) has amended regulations to allow for these new fuel variants, aligning with global trends towards sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). India aims to blend 1% SAF into jet fuel for international flights by 2027, increasing to 5% by 2030.