Travellers Flying Out Of Singapore To Be Charged "Green Fuel Levy" From Next Year

In a world where travellers are increasingly aware of their carbon footprints, Singapore is taking a bold step to make flying greener. From a particular date in 2026, passengers flying out of Changi Airport will see a small additional charge on their tickets: a "green fuel levy" aimed at funding the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The move makes Singapore one of the first countries in the world to formally integrate environmental accountability into flight pricing. While the added cost per ticket is modest, the initiative marks a major milestone in how global aviation hubs approach climate responsibility. For travellers, this new charge represents a glimpse into the future of sustainable flying, where cleaner skies may come with slightly higher fares.

Understanding The Green Fuel Levy: What It Is and How Much It Costs

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The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has introduced the green fuel levy to support the use of sustainable aviation fuel. This is a cleaner alternative made from low-carbon sources such as used cooking oil and waste biomass. Unlike traditional jet fuel, SAF can reduce emissions by up to 80% over its lifecycle, though it's still far costlier to produce.

To help cover this gap, every passenger departing from Singapore will pay a small, fixed contribution that goes toward SAF purchases. The amount depends on the flight distance and travel class:

• Economy/Premium Economy: Between S$1 (around Rs 68) for short regional routes and S$10.40 (around Rs 700) for long-haul flights to destinations like the Americas.
• Business/First Class: Between S$4 (around Rs 270) and S$41.60 (around Rs 2,800) for longer, more fuel-intensive journeys.
• Cargo Flights: Levies range from S$0.01 to S$0.15 per kilogram (around Rs 0.68-Rs 10/kg) depending on distance.

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When It Kicks In: Key Dates and Who It Applies To

The levy officially begins in October 2026, but it applies only to tickets issued from 1 April 2026 onward. Travellers who book their tickets before April 2026 will not be charged the levy, even if their flight departs after implementation. The levy applies only to flights departing from Singapore. Transit passengers merely passing through Changi Airport will not have to pay for it. The fee will appear as a separate line item on air tickets for full transparency.

Why Singapore Is Introducing The Green Fuel Levy

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As one of Asia's busiest air hubs, Singapore plays a key role in shaping aviation's future sustainability. The levy supports the country's target for sustainable aviation fuel to make up 1% of total jet fuel use by 2026, with plans to increase this to 3-5% by 2030, depending on global supply and cost trends. Rather than burdening airlines or taxpayers, the government is spreading the cost fairly among air travellers who directly benefit from aviation. This ensures that Singapore's path to greener skies remains both financially viable and environmentally responsible.

The policy also offers predictability: airlines know how much to collect, passengers see the charge clearly, and the funds are dedicated solely to sustainable fuel procurement. It's a carefully designed model that other nations are likely to watch closely.

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What The Green Fuel Levy Means for Travellers

For most passengers, the levy won't dramatically change travel budgets. However, it does reflect a meaningful shift in how the aviation industry is tackling its carbon challenge. Here's what travellers should keep in mind:

• For economy travellers, the additional cost ranges from Rs 68 to about Rs 700, which is negligible compared to the total ticket prices. Business and first-class flyers will pay more, reflecting their larger share of flight emissions.
• Tickets bought before 1 April 2026 won't include the levy, even for later travel dates.
• The funds directly finance sustainable aviation fuel, helping make air travel more eco-friendly.

By asking travellers to share in the cost of cleaner skies, Singapore is setting a global benchmark for responsible aviation.