SINGAPORE, Nov 10 — Passengers departing from Singapore will soon be footing part of the bill for the country’s shift to greener skies, with a new levy of between S$1 (RM3.20) and S$41.60 to support the purchase of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), The Straits Times reported today.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) announced today that the charge will apply to tickets sold from April 1, 2026, for flights leaving Singapore from October that year.
The levy, which airlines must list as a separate line item on air tickets, will be based on flight distance and travel class — with business and first-class passengers paying up to four times more than those in economy.
For economy or premium economy travellers, the levy will range from S$1 for a flight to Bangkok to S$10.40 for one to New York. Those flying in premium cabins will pay between S$4 and S$41.60.
CAAS said the charges were lower than previously forecast due to a drop in green jet fuel prices.
“Sustainable aviation fuel prices have since moderated,” said the authority’s director-general Han Kok Juan at a press conference.
The roll-out is timed to give airlines and travellers room to adapt, according to CAAS chief sustainability officer Daniel Ng.
“If you go out and buy a ticket today, the levy will not apply, even if you travel beyond October 1, 2026,” he said.
The fee will also not apply to transit passengers, training flights or humanitarian operations.
Singapore aims for sustainable aviation fuel to make up 1 per cent of all jet fuel used at Changi and Seletar airports in 2026, rising to 3 to 5 per cent by 2030.
Despite volatile fuel prices, Han said the levy will remain fixed until the SAF target changes.
The levy will come on top of existing airport fees, bringing total charges for an economy passenger flying to New York to S$75.60 in 2026, and S$106.80 for a premium passenger.
Changi’s current S$65.20 passenger fee is set to rise gradually to S$79.20 by 2030 to help fund airport upgrades and higher operating costs.
The new charge will also apply to cargo shipments, private jets and chartered flights, with rates adjusted for aircraft size and distance.
The announcement follows Singapore’s creation of the Singapore Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company (SAFCo), which will manage fuel purchases using levy proceeds. The fuel will be blended with conventional jet fuel and supplied at both of Singapore’s airports.
Under the country’s sustainable air hub blueprint launched in February 2024, the government and industry aim to cut airport emissions by 20 per cent from 2019 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.