India has achieved a 52% readiness score for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as the country prepares to expand the use of cleaner fuels in aviation, according to an assessment by Boeing and the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB). The findings come as India moves from developing its SAF ecosystem towards broader commercial adoption, with a phased blending roadmap already outlined for the coming years.

Under the roadmap, India is targeting SAF blending of 1% in 2027, 2% in 2028 and 5% by 2030. At the 2030 target, annual SAF demand from domestic and international aviation is expected to reach around 720 million litres, equivalent to about 0.6 million tonnes. The assessment puts India's estimated annual SAF production potential at between 14 million and 33 million tonnes, indicating substantial capacity compared with projected demand.

The report, however, highlights that production potential alone will not determine how quickly SAF can be adopted across the aviation sector. The Boeing-RSB assessment evaluated India's preparedness across nine areas, including feedstock availability, production capacity, regulations, logistics, market demand, financing, research and development, technology and supporting infrastructure. Progress across these areas will be required to translate potential production into a functioning commercial supply network.

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The assessment also underlines the importance of coordinated policy support and investment as India develops its SAF ecosystem. Financing, supply-chain development and technological capabilities will need to grow alongside production capacity, while infrastructure and logistics will play an important role in making SAF available for wider aviation use. The findings therefore point to a need for progress across multiple parts of the ecosystem rather than focusing only on fuel production.

India is also committed to joining the International Civil Aviation Organization's CORSIA programme from 2027, adding another policy dimension to its efforts to reduce aviation emissions. Boeing India and South Asia President Salil Gupte said India's position as one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets gives the country an important role in sustainable aviation.

RSB Executive Director Bettina Paschke said the assessment provides stakeholders with a common evidence base to guide the further development of India's SAF ecosystem. Overall, the report indicates that India has established several foundations for SAF adoption, while the next stage will depend on coordinated progress in policy, financing, infrastructure, technology and supply chains to convert production potential into actual aviation fuel use.

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