Why This Policy Matters
South Korea announced that every international flight departing its airports must contain sustainable aviation fuel starting in 2027. The mandate begins at one percent blending and climbs to as much as ten percent by 2035. SAF produced from waste oils biomass or renewable electricity derived fuels can cut life cycle emissions by up to eighty percent compared with conventional kerosene. The decision aligns Korea with International Civil Aviation Organization targets and the European ReFuelEU plan, signalling that Asia is ready to compete within a rapidly evolving green aviation market.
Implementation Timeline
- 2027 airlines blend at least one percent SAF
- 2030 requirement increases to three to five percent
- 2035 obligation reaches seven to ten percent
Unlike some regions that fix an exact percentage Korea will adjust later targets according to domestic supply capacity. This pragmatic flexibility lowers compliance risk for carriers while still giving producers a reliable growth trajectory.
Economic Opportunity Hidden in Plain Sight
A less discussed benefit is reduced exposure to volatile imported oil costs. By replacing a fraction of kerosene with locally sourced waste oils and renewable electricity Korea effectively hedges part of its fuel bill. Airline finance teams rank fuel price swings as their largest planning uncertainty. Even a ten percent hedge across an entire fleet can noticeably flatten that volatility curve, improving medium range budgeting accuracy.
Support Measures and Collaboration
The government has pledged subsidies tax credits and a national certification platform to guarantee fuel quality and price clarity. An alliance of refiners chemical companies universities and airlines has already begun testing feedstocks including used cooking oil and micro algae. Early cooperation keeps scientific knowledge onshore and accelerates the march toward commercial scale refineries.
Conclusion
Koreas staged SAF roadmap shows that climate responsibility and industrial policy can move in lockstep. By coupling firm goals with investor friendly flexibility the nation positions itself as a future exporter of low carbon aviation expertise.
Source – The Korea Times