New Delhi: Boeing has undertaken a commitment that all its commercial airplanes will be fully compatible with 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable aviation and reducing carbon emissions reported ET Infra.
In a conversation with ET Infra, Brian Moran, Chief Sustainability Officer at Boeing, emphasized that India holds significant potential for developing a sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) ecosystem. He noted that Boeing is eager to collaborate with the Indian government, offering its expertise and resources accumulated over the years to support this growth.
Recently, Boeing partnered with Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) to explore ways to scale up SAF production in India, certify locally produced fuels, and help shape policy frameworks to support long-term development of the sector.
“We’re deeply involved in the technical aspects — in making our airplanes compatible — but also in working with energy companies to assess what kinds of feedstock are best suited to different regions,” Moran said, noting Boeing has already conducted feedstock studies in countries like Brazil, Japan, and across Southeast Asia.
Now, in partnership with the United Nations’ International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Boeing is helping to carry out a new study in India to evaluate SAF production capacity and deployment strategies.
“What makes India exciting is the variety of possible feedstocks — from used cooking oil to municipal waste, and even new fuel types like e-fuels,” Moran said.
With global SAF usage expected to become mandatory from 2027 under ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), concerns remain over the impact on food security. Critics worry that farmland could be diverted from food crops to fuel production.
Moran addressed this directly, stating, “There should be no debate — if SAF competes with food, then it’s not sustainable. The goal is to develop fuels that don’t threaten the food supply.”
He pointed to advancements in farming techniques that allow for “cover crops” — non-food plants that can be grown in between food crop cycles — which not only provide feedstock for SAF but also help improve soil health. “This kind of regenerative agriculture improves the land while contributing to cleaner fuel,” he added.
Indian carriers such as Air India, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet, which are customers of Boeing, are expected to welcome the shift toward SAF as the country begins implementing international fuel standards.
Currently, Boeing’s aircraft are certified to run on up to 50% SAF. “By 2030, we aim for all our aircraft to be able to run on 100% SAF,” Moran confirmed.
India, as part of its commitment to CORSIA, has set a target of blending at least 1% SAF in aviation turbine fuel for international flights starting in 2027. The blend is expected to rise to 2% in 2028 and 5% by 2030.
With supportive government policies and collaboration with industry leaders like Boeing, India is positioning itself to play a major role in the global shift toward greener aviation.
