India is planning to supply Sustainable Aviation Fuel in large amounts to help cut aviation’s carbon footprint worldwide.

India is set to make a major contribution to the environmentally friendly side of flying by exporting SAF. Salil Gupte, President of Boeing India and South Asia, pointed out this potential at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 in New Delhi.

As aviation accounts for around 2–3% of the world’s emissions, SAF is seen as an essential way to improve the sector’s environmental score. Gupte pointed out that abundant feedstock like agricultural leftovers and used oil in India can be made into SAF. He added that India’s production of SAF could reach 8–10 million tons and provide around 5% of what the world needs.

The number of aircraft operating in India is set to double in the next two decades because more than 1,000 have already been ordered by air carriers. Although this makes the country’s ambitions for more sustainable transport achievable, a main issue is sourcing enough SAF at low enough prices to make a difference, as it today costs much more than regular fuel.

If the global goal of net-zero aviation by 2050 is to be met, annual SAF production must hit 185 million tonnes. According to Gupte, India can use biofuels to help aviation and create economic value from agricultural waste. Boeing is playing an essential part in boosting India’s aviation industry as well as its sustainability.

Sustainable aviation fuels in India mean the global skies will face less pollution going forward.