Singapore First to Charge Green Jet Fuel Fee per Flight

Singapore has become the first country in the world to introduce a green aviation fuel levy, a policy that will take effect on all departing flights beginning October 1, 2026.

The levy adds a fee to each ticket to help fund the purchase and development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which produces significantly lower carbon emissions than traditional jet fuel, allowing airlines to reduce their environmental impact.

The funds collected from the levy will support Singapore’s commitment to increasing the availability of sustainable fuel across the aviation sector. The government aims for 1 percent of all jet fuel used at Changi and Seletar Airports to come from SAF by 2026, with plans to raise that share to 3–5 percent by 2030.

The fee will range from S$1 to S$41.60 (about US$0.77 to US$32), depending on travel class and flight distance.

To stay competitive as an international transit hub, Singapore will not charge transiting passengers. Charitable flights and training flights will also be exempt.

This development aligns with a broader trend in the aviation industry to increase the use of SAF. For example, the GBTA Foundation recently launched a resource hub, SAF Corporate Connect, to help companies include SAF in their travel programs by providing practical advice, tools, and market intelligence.

Airlines are also investing. American and Alaska Airlines created a $150 million fund to speed up sustainable aviation technology development. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Airlines will start using SAF on select flights, and British Airways signed a multi-year SAF supply deal with EcoCeres.

Photo by Mike Enerio on Unsplash