If you were dreading the new green tax levy that was supposed to hike up your flight ticket prices this month, we have some fantastic news for you. Due to global market shifts and tensions in the Middle East, the Singapore government has quietly delayed the new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) levy until 2027—so travellers can breathe a sign of relief. The tax, created to fund greener fuel alternatives to decarbonise the aviation industry, is based on distance and class. For instance, flights to cities like London and Hanoi will carry a different green tax value. However, the delay actually offers a massive temporary loophole so you can book flights completely tax-free well into next year. Read on to find out what the delay means for your wallet, booking hacks, expected costs, and everything to know about this controversial new Singapore flight tax that will impact your travel next year.
Why has Singapore’s new flight tax been paused?
Originally, the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) levy was supposed to hit any flight ticket purchased from April 1, 2026. However, the global fuel prices have made this difficult to implement. With the ongoing war in the Middle East, specifically the disruptions and blockades affecting the Strait of Hormuz, traditional Jet-A fuel prices have spiked.
Meanwhile, airlines are already passing these massive fuel surcharges down to consumers. Plus, thousands of flights worldwide have been cancelled due to fuel shortages. Therefore, delaying the levy will avoid stacking taxes on top of soaring ticket prices.
The new timeline: when does it actually start?
Let’s be clear: the levy is not cancelled, it’s just pushed back a few months. To successfully plan your travels, you need to take note of these two new dates:
- The Ticket Sales Cutoff: The tax will now apply to tickets and services sold from October 1, 2026.
- The Departure Cutoff: The tax applies to flights departing Singapore from January 1, 2027.
How to avoid paying the tax for 2027 flights
Interestingly, this delay creates a temporary loophole for savvy travellers. If you want to travel in early 2027, you must book your tickets before October 1, 2026. Wonderfully, the levy is tied to the date the ticket is sold, so you will be legally exempt from the new tax if you purchase them soon—regardless of when the plane takes off. For instance, this booking hack will work on Chinese New Year flights in February 2027.
How much will the tax cost?
When the tax does kick in, it is calculated based on two factors: the distance of your flight (broken into four geographical bands) and your cabin class seats. For instance, Premium cabins (Business and First Class) will pay exactly four times the amount of Economy flyers, based on their larger carbon footprint. Here’s the exact cost breakdown per passenger:
Band 1: Southeast Asia (e.g: Bangkok, Bali, Kuala Lumpur)
- Economy: $1
- Business/First Class: $4
Band 2: Asia Pacific & South Asia (e.g: Sydney, Tokyo, Seoul)
- Economy: $2.80
- Business/First Class: $11.20
Band 3: Europe, Middle East & Africa (e.g: London, Madrid, Dubai)
- Economy: $6.40
- Business/First Class: $25.60
Band 4: The Americas (e.g: New York, Los Angeles, Mexico City)
- Economy: $10.40
- Business/First Class: $41.60
Notably, the tax is paid in Singaporean dollars and based only on your immediate destination after taking off from Changi Airport. This means it does not include stopovers. Furthermore, the levy does not apply to passengers who are simply transitioning through Singapore.
Be sure to use this Singapore flight tax delay by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to your advantage by locking in your 2027 travel fares before October 2026.
