India Joins CORSIA: What Changes and Why It Matters

ASIM, Nov 02

As India establishes itself as one of the main engines of global aviation growth, the country’s entry into the mandatory phase of the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) starting in 2027 marks a fundamental milestone.

🌍 Key Highlights from the ICF Analysis:

• Accelerated Growth: Departing passengers in India are projected to rise from approximately 244 million in 2025 to over 330 million by the early 2030s, with the fleet growing by about 6% annually through 2035.
• The Scheme’s Impact: CORSIA addresses emissions growth (rather than total emissions), with ICF estimating that India’s participation will add around 140 Mt of $CO_2$ to cumulative global offsetting requirements between 2027 and 2035 (approximately 10% of the global total).
• Indian Airlines’ Exposure: Direct obligations for Indian operators represent only an estimated 3% of the roughly 1.36 billion tonnes of $CO_2$ expected to be offset globally during this period.
• The Role of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF): India’s SAF blending targets (with gradual milestones moving toward 2030) could reduce offsetting obligations on international flights departing from the country by approximately 13%.

India’s participation represents not only a compliance obligation, but also a strategic opportunity to scale the use of SAF and boost carbon projects that drive sustainability in global aviation.

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