The Singapore Parliament has passed a new law aimed at reducing carbon emissions in the aviation sector. Under the new regulation, beginning in 2026, passengers departing from Singapore will be required to pay an additional fee — known as the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Charge — ranging from 3 to 16 Singapore dollars, depending on the flight.
The initiative seeks to encourage airlines to adopt more environmentally friendly fuels. Managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the collected funds will be used to support SAF supply chains and boost local production capacity.
Officials stated that transit passengers, flight training operations, and humanitarian missions will be exempt from the fee, aiming to maintain Singapore’s position as a leading aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is approximately three to four times more expensive than conventional jet fuel but can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%. Singapore’s government targets having at least 1% of all jet fuel used from 2026 sourced from SAF.
Experts say this step could position Singapore as a regional leader in green aviation, though the decision to pass the cost directly to passengers has sparked debate. Airline representatives have warned that the new charge could lead to higher ticket prices.
With this policy, Singapore has taken a significant step toward emission reduction and sustainability in international aviation — setting a potential example for other countries to follow.
