India has recorded a 52% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) readiness score, indicating moderate but advancing preparedness for wider SAF adoption, according to a report by Boeing and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB), The Economic Times reported.
The assessment examines India’s readiness across nine areas, including feedstock availability, production capacity, policy and regulation, supply chains and logistics, market demand, investment and financing, research and development, technology readiness, and enabling infrastructure and services.
India has set SAF blending targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030. The country is also committed to participating in the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) from 2027.
Under a 5% SAF blending scenario in 2030, SAF demand from domestic and international aviation is projected at around 720 million litres, or approximately 0.6 million tonnes, annually.
The report estimates India’s potential SAF production capacity at 14 million to 33 million tonnes per year, significantly higher than projected demand under the 2030 5% blending scenario.
However, the assessment noted that production potential alone will not determine the pace of SAF adoption. Infrastructure, supply chains, financing, policy frameworks and market demand will also need to develop to establish a wider SAF ecosystem.
“As one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, India has an important role in enabling sustainable aviation — and pursuing a deliberate and well-researched path to SAF adoption is key,” said Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India & South Asia.
Gupte said the assessment identifies the foundational capacity already available in India while highlighting areas that require further development.
RSB said the assessment is intended to provide stakeholders with a common evidence base for developing India’s SAF market and identifying areas where greater coordination is required.
“India’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel opportunity is substantial. This assessment gives stakeholders a common evidence base from which to act,” said Bettina Paschke, Executive Director, RSB.
The report highlighted the need for coordinated action among government, aviation companies, financiers and other stakeholders to develop the SAF market.
Boeing said it would continue working with airline customers and policymakers in India and other markets to support the development of a SAF ecosystem and efforts to reduce aviation emissions.The assessment comes as India’s aviation sector continues to expand, increasing the importance of scalable lower-carbon fuels for the sector’s longer-term emissions reduction goals.
