Air travellers departing from Singapore will be subject to a sustainable aviation fuel levy starting October 2026. The levy, whose rates will vary between S$1 to S$41.60 (US$0.77 to US$31.92), applies to tickets sold from April 1, 2026, onwards for flights departing on or after October 1, 2026, as stated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
The exact levy amount is contingent on the travel class and destination. The destinations are divided into four geographical bands, with the levies increasing progressively.
Passengers travelling to destinations in Band 1, which encompasses Southeast Asia, will incur an additional charge of S$1 for economy or premium economy tickets and S$4 for business or first class tickets.
For Band 2, which includes Northeast Asia, South Asia, Australia, and Papua New Guinea, travellers will face an added fee of S$2.80 for economy class and S$11.20 for business class.
Travellers to destinations in Band 3 – Africa, Central and West Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Pacific Islands, and New Zealand – will incur additional levies of S$6.40 and S$25.60 respectively.
Lastly, passengers flying to the Americas, falling under Band 4, will be charged an extra S$10.40 for economy class and S$41.60 for business class.
Passengers merely transiting through Singapore will not be subjected to the above levies. For multi-stop flights, the fee will be determined by the next destination after departing Singapore.
Moreover, the levy will also extend to cargo, with rates ranging from S$0.01 to S$0.15 per kilogram. This calculation will follow the same geographical bands as those used for passenger flights.
The levy will also be applicable to general aviation, which includes private, non-commercial flights, and business aviation, such as private jets and chartered flights.
The levy was first introduced in 2024 as a component of the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, which aimed to achieve net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.
Han Kok Juan, the director-general of the aviation authority, emphasized the commitment of Singapore, as a global air hub and an International Civil Aviation Organisation council member, to its environmental responsibilities. He reiterated that the country would take necessary steps to contribute to the cause while maintaining the competitiveness of the Singapore air hub.
Unlike green fuel mandates or incentive programs prevalent in other countries, this levy operates on a “fixed cost envelope.” This means that regardless of fluctuations in sustainable aviation fuel prices in 2026, the levy will remain unchanged.
When will the aviation fuel levy take effect?
The aviation fuel levy will take effect from October 2026.
Will passengers transiting through Singapore be charged with the levy?
No, passengers only transiting through Singapore will not be charged the levy.
What is the goal of the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint?
The Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint aims to achieve net-zero aviation emissions by 2050.
