What is SAF?

Singapore’s levy policy

Impact on Changi’s business

How other countries are doing it

Flying out of Singapore is about to get pricier. From 2026, a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy will kick in, adding between $1 and $41 to ticket prices — and even taxing cargo. What does this mean for travellers, airlines, and Singapore’s competitiveness as an air hub? 

Host Derryn Wong speaks with SMU aviation expert Terence Fan to unpack what SAF really is, why it matters, how the levy works, and whether businesses or tourism might feel the pinch.

Highlights:

01:55 What is SAF?

07:15 Singapore’s levy policy

09:24 Impact on Changi’s business

11:28 How other countries are doing it

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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to btpodcasts@sph.com.sg.

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Written and hosted by: Derryn Wong (derrynwong@sph.com.sg)

With Terence Fan, assistant professor of Strategy & Entrepreneurship (Education), Singapore Management University

Edited by: Emily Liu & Claressa Monteiro

Produced by: Derryn Wong, Emily Liu & Chai Pei Chieh

A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party’s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.

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Flying out of Singapore is about to get pricier. From 2026, a new sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) levy will kick in, adding between $1 and $41 to ticket prices &mdash; and even taxing cargo. What does this mean for travellers, airlines, and Singapore&rsquo;s competitiveness as an air hub?&nbsp;
Host Derryn Wong speaks with SMU aviation expert Terence Fan to unpack what SAF really is, why it matters, how the levy works, and whether businesses or tourism might feel the pinch.
Highlights:
01:55 What is SAF?
07:15 Singapore&rsquo;s levy policy
09:24 Impact on Changi&rsquo;s business
11:28 How other countries are doing it
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Send us your questions, thoughts, story ideas, and feedback to <a href="mailto:btpodcasts@sph.com.sg">btpodcasts@sph.com.sg</a>.
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Written and hosted by: Derryn Wong (derrynwong@sph.com.sg)
With Terence Fan, assistant professor of Strategy &amp; Entrepreneurship (Education), Singapore Management University
Edited by: Emily Liu &amp; Claressa Monteiro
Produced by: Derryn Wong, Emily Liu &amp; Chai Pei Chieh
A podcast by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media
---
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Channel: <a href="https://bt.sg/btcobt" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://bt.sg/btcobt&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1725767545308000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MZyDZ2ZxkzhbmmY3UOc3Z">bt.sg/btcobt</a>
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Do note: This podcast is meant to provide general information only. SPH Media accepts no liability for loss arising from any reliance on the podcast or use of third party&rsquo;s products and services. Please consult professional advisors for independent advice.
---
Discover more BT podcast series:
BT Money Hacks: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmoneyhacks">bt.sg/btmoneyhacks</a>
BT Podcasts: <a href="https://bt.sg/pcOM">bt.sg/pcOM</a>
BT Market Focus: <a href="https://bt.sg/btmktfocus">bt.sg/btmktfocus</a>
BT Lens On: <a href="https://bt.sg/btlenson">bt.sg/btlenson</a>

A showcase of the most respected series and columnists from The Business Times showroom.

BT Correspondents Podcast channel showcases content presented by some of the newsroom's most respected columnists and includes the series: Mark to Market, PropertyBT, WealthBT and TransportBT.

Available on all your favourite audio content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts

Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

BT Correspondents Podcast channel showcases content presented by some of the newsroom's most respected columnists and includes the series: Mark to Market, PropertyBT, WealthBT and TransportBT.
Available on all your favourite audio content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts
Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

BT Correspondents

BT Correspondents Podcast channel showcases content presented by some of the newsroom's most respected columnists and includes the series: Mark to Market, Property BT, Wealth BT and Transport BT.

Available on all your favourite audio content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts

Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

BT Correspondents Podcast channel showcases content presented by some of the newsroom's most respected columnists and includes the series: Mark to Market, Property BT, Wealth BT and Transport BT.
Available on all your favourite audio content apps and at www.businesstimes.com.sg/podcasts
Produced by BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media.

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