THE Singapore government will set aside S$50 million for the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) to set up a new aviation sustainability programme, amid ambitions to turn the Republic into a sustainable air hub.

The programme will provide up to 70 per cent funding for sector-wide projects and up to 50 per cent funding for company-level projects, CAAS said on Friday (Mar 3).

This is with the aim of reducing the sector’s carbon footprint, developing new sustainability capabilities and bringing aviation ecosystem partners together to work on research and development, green certification or standards development, as well as grow knowledge transfer.

Examples of such projects include the adoption of novel or energy-efficient airport systems or equipment, and transitioning to cleaner energy sources such as low-carbon fuels.

Projects that boost the operational efficiency and sustainability of key airport processes, for instance reducing aircraft turnaround time or improving airside vehicle movements, will also be considered.

CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan said the programme, which is a response to industry feedback, will provide a much-needed boost to decarbonisation efforts.

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It will not only alleviate investment costs and accelerate company-level projects, but also facilitate sector-wide risk pooling, capability building and collaboration.

“Coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we want to build sustainability as a new competitive advantage for the Singapore air hub,” Han added.

CAAS will conduct its first call for proposals from Apr 1 to 30.