Roadmap Highlights
The Ministries of Land Infrastructure and Transport plus Trade Industry and Energy issued a Sustainable Aviation Fuel Roadmap. It begins in 2027 with a one percent mandate for every international departure, rises toward three to five percent by 2030, and targets seven to ten percent by 2035, with periodic reviews.
Obligations for Suppliers and Airlines
Fuel Producers
Refining companies and fuel importers will be responsible for supplying the mandated blends starting in 2027. Compliance will be measured by the proportion of SAF delivered for international flights, creating a transparent metric that investors can track.
Airlines
From 2028 carriers will need to ensure that at least ninety percent of the fuel they uplift in South Korea contains the specified SAF percentage. Flexibility is built in: operators may defer up to twenty percent of their obligation and satisfy it within three subsequent years, smoothing cash flow for fleet renewal.
Smart Incentives
Rather than relying solely on penalties, the government has introduced a point system that increases access to coveted international traffic rights for airlines that exceed the minimum blend. This is a subtle but powerful lever because new route awards directly influence airline growth strategies.
An additional non obvious insight concerns passenger engagement. By granting lounge access or seat upgrades when travelers opt to co finance SAF, airlines effectively crowdsource a premium product while strengthening loyalty programs. This customer facing mechanism could become a blueprint for other regions seeking voluntary contributions.
Regional Collaboration
South Korea has launched a SAF Alliance uniting airports, carriers and refiners. The forum accelerates technical standard setting and prepares quality rules in 2026, paving the way for advanced feedstocks and renewable synthetic fuels after 2030.
Conclusion
South Korea is moving beyond vision statements toward an actionable timetable that balances certainty with flexibility. The mix of mandates, market rewards and consumer participation positions the nation as a regional catalyst for cleaner skies.