Travellers take a look at the flight departure schedule on the screen at Singapore Changi airport on December 7, 2022.
Roslan Rahman | Afp | Getty Images
Flights departing from Singapore will cost more from 2026 because the country pushes ahead with its aviation industry decarbonization goals.
All outbound planes will use sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from 2026 as Singapore goals 1% of all jet fuel used at Changi Airport and Seletar Airport by that 12 months to comprise SAF, with plans to boost it to 3-5% by 2030, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat said Monday.
The initiative is an element of a sustainable air hub blueprint which was unveiled by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on the eve of the Singapore Airshow.
“Using SAF is a critical pathway for the decarbonization of aviation and is anticipated to contribute around 65% of the carbon emission reduction needed to attain net zero by 2050,” CAAS said in an announcement.
To realize the ambitious 1% goal by 2026, travelers flying out of Singapore could have to be prepared to pay higher air fares. Currently, SAF comprises about 0.2% of worldwide jet fuel use.
Economy class passengers taking direct flights from Singapore to Bangkok, Tokyo and London may need to pay a further S$3, S$6 and S$16, respectively, in line with the sustainable air hub blueprint. Passengers taking premium classes pays higher levies.
The associated fee impact that comes with the goal of raising the SAF composition to 1% is “manageable,” Chee said, adding that key stakeholders have been consulted and the goal provides an incentive for brand new investments in SAF production facilities.
In 2021, the International Air Transport Association and member airlines committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.