Travelers Leaving Changi Will Soon Pay for Sustainable Fuel

Starting April 2026, passengers flying out of Singapore will find a new fee tucked into their tickets: a Sustainable Aviation Fuel levy. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) argued that the money will be used directly to purchase cleaner jet fuel and fund related administrative costs.

The fine will vary depending on how far you fly and how comfortably you do it. An economy passenger hopping to Bangkok will pay about 77 US cents, increasing to $31.95 for a business-class traveler heading to the Americas. Cargo operators will also face fees, charged per kilogram on board.

The policy follows Singapore’s Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, launched in early 2024, in hopes of making aviation emissions net-zero by 2050. It requires departing flights to use at least 1% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) beginning in 2026 and gradually building up from there. Officials claim SAF will ultimately deliver about two-thirds of the emission cuts needed to reach those lofty goals… as long as production and adoption can catch up.

The final figures are lower than the government’s original projections. CAAS had initially estimated that passengers would pay around two to three times the actual charge for trips to Bangkok, Tokyo, and London. Those numbers were trimmed thanks to declining SAF prices.

CAAS says the collected money will go into a dedicated SAF Fund that is legally restricted to fuel purchases and certification costs rather than general budget padding.

“The introduction of the SAF Levy marks a major step forward in Singapore’s effort to build a more sustainable and competitive air hub,” said CAAS General Director Mr Han Kok Juan. “It provides a mechanism for all aviation users to do their part to contribute to sustainability at a cost which is manageable for the air hub. We need to make a start. We have done so in a measured way, and we are giving industry, businesses and the public time to adjust.”

FMI: www.caas.gov.sg