SINGAPORE: Green flying comes with a COST — Singapore slaps SAF levy on airfares
If you’re flying out of Singapore from mid-2026, get ready to pay a little extra to support the island state’s net-zero by 2050 sustainability initiative.
From April next year, Singapore will introduce a green tax on airfares, the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy. From October 2026, that tax will be passed on to passengers.
It’s designed to fund the country’s goal of using 1% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2026, with the money funnelled straight into a SAF purchasing fund. But for passengers, it’ll just look like another line item on the ticket. Economy and Premium Economy pay one rate; Business and First Class pay more.
How much more will you pay?
Singapore’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS) is taking a neat four-band approach, based on destination:
| Band | Destination Region | Economy/Premium Economy (SGD) | Business/First (SGD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southeast Asia | $1 | $4 |
| 2 | Northeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, Papua New Guinea | $2.80 | $11.20 |
| 3 | New Zealand, Pacific Islands, Africa, Central & West Asia, Europe, Middle East | $6.40 | $25.60 |
| 4 | North & South America | $10.40 | $41.60 |
That means if you’re flying from Singapore to Sydney, expect around SGD $2.80 to be added to your economy fare. If you are at the pointy end, then it will be more like SGD $11.20. Not a wallet-breaker, but it’s the principle (and perhaps the precedent) that matters. On the upside, it will be itemised on your ticket; on the downside, you will be reminded of the additional charge every time you travel through Changi Airport.
Who pays and who escapes
Only passengers originating in Singapore will pay the levy. Those merely transiting through Changi, for example, on the classic Qantas QF1/QF2 or British Airways BA15/BA16 Kangaroo Routes, or on a through-flight by Singapore Airlines from Australia to Europe, you will be spared.
So if you’re just stopping over for a shower at the SilverKris Lounge, you can relax. But if Singapore’s where your journey starts, you’ll be chipping in to make aviation greener.
2PAXfly Takeout
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) says the rates are based on the projected price premium of SAF over standard jet fuel, along with other associated costs. It’s a small step toward aviation’s cleaner future, but for frequent flyers, it’s another reminder that sustainable travel comes at a cost.
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