Private jet to Singapore

The city-state at the tip of the Malay Peninsula is one of the largest financial centres in Asia, and most private flights from Europe carry people who work there or pass through: bankers and fund managers meeting around Raffles Place and Marina Bay, executives visiting regional head offices, families stopping for a few days on the way to Bali or Australia. Along the routes European operators fly, the city is 10,700 to 12,500 km from the main hubs, a journey of 12 to 17 hours depending on the aircraft and whether it stops for fuel.

Two airports take business jets, and they work very differently. Seletar, in the north-east of the island, is the business aviation airfield, with its own Business Aviation Centre and no slots, but it closes to flights at night and its runway is 1,836 m long. Changi, the international hub, is open 24 hours and has 4,000 m runways, yet it accepts business aircraft only with a slot, for short stays and at the authority's discretion. The time of arrival and the aircraft type decide which of the two you land at.

Send the dates, the number of passengers and the time you want to be at the hotel or the office. From that we work out the departure time in Europe and the airport on the island.

Why fly privately to South-East Asia's financial hub

Flight times from Europe and the region

Flight times as shown in the price tables on this page:

• Global 7500 non-stop to Changi: Warsaw 12:00 h, Vienna 12:22 h, Geneva 13:20 h, Paris Le Bourget 13:37 h, London Farnborough 13:50 h
• Falcon 8X non-stop to Seletar: Larnaca 10:46 h, Istanbul 11:23 h, Athens 11:55 h
• Falcon 7X with one fuel stop to Seletar: Vienna 14:15 h, Munich 14:42 h, Zurich 15:01 h, London Farnborough 15:47 h, Madrid 16:22 h
• Phenom 300 to Seletar: Kuala Lumpur 0:53 h, Jakarta Halim 1:43 h, Phuket 1:47 h, Bangkok Don Mueang 2:25 h, Bali 2:45 h
• Praetor 600 to Seletar: Malé 4:44 h, Delhi 5:41 h, Dubai 7:48 h

The times follow the routing European operators use around closed airspace, over Turkey, the Middle East and India, about a tenth longer than the straight line. Seletar's curfew means the departure in Europe is fixed backwards from a landing before 22:00 local time, while a late arrival goes to Changi. The return westbound runs against the jet stream, and the operator confirms the exact time with the flight plan.

Private jet prices to Singapore

All prices are for the whole aircraft, one way, plus permit, handling, landing, parking and taxes. The figures presume an aircraft that starts close to the departure city, and the flight time belongs to the first aircraft of the row.

From the European hubs to Seletar

All three aircraft fit Seletar's runway. The Challenger 650 with one fuel stop is the lowest price, from EUR 130,000 out of Vienna to EUR 150,000 out of Madrid. The Falcon 7X adds a larger cabin and beds for more passengers at EUR 175,000 to EUR 200,000 from the same cities. The Falcon 8X flies non-stop from Larnaca, Istanbul and Athens; from the rest of Europe it also lands once on the way.

Non-stop to Changi

A flight without a stop from western Europe needs an ultra long range jet, and with full tanks for the way home these aircraft are better served by Changi's long runways. Changi accepts them case by case:

The Gulfstream G650 flies non-stop only from central and eastern Europe; from London, Paris and Geneva it would need a stop, which is why those cells are on request.

From other European cities

Within Asia and from the Gulf

Singapore has no domestic flying, so every regional sector crosses a border. Light and midsize jets based in the region are the usual choice:

"On request" shows sectors beyond the non-stop range of that aircraft. Each country on the way has its own permit: Malaysia, for example, asks for the application at least three working days ahead.

On a sector of 13 hours or more, the price is mostly flight time plus the empty return, since an aircraft that brings passengers to Asia rarely has anyone waiting to fly back. A stay of several days is usually priced as two one-way flights, compared with parking at Seletar and crew hotels in the city, which cost far more in the week of the Grand Prix or the Airshow. Fuel is cheaper at Changi and handling cheaper at Seletar. European departure taxes are added: a per-passenger tax on jets from France that rises with distance, about EUR 2,100 to Singapore and about EUR 420 within Europe, and EUR 200 on flights from or to Italy at this distance, plus EUR 12 from Austria, separate per-passenger taxes in Germany, Norway and the Netherlands, and APD in the UK at the higher rate for private jets of 20 t or more with fewer than 19 seats.

Business jet price per flight hour

Heavy Jets from EUR 8,300 / hour

Light Jets from EUR 3,200 / hour

Ultra Long Range Jets from EUR 12,000 / hour

Super Midsize Jets from EUR 6,300 / hour

Very Light Jets from EUR 2,500 / hour

Long Range Jets from EUR 9,800 / hour

Midsize Jets from EUR 4,500 / hour

Turboprops from EUR 2,000 / hour

What a trip really costs

Price per person

For a business delegation the useful figure is the price per seat; European departure taxes are charged per person on top:

Online calculator

The calculator returns a first estimate by e-mail. In the comment, give the time you need to be in the city, so we can choose between Seletar and Changi.

Seletar, Changi and the airports nearby

Seletar (XSP, WSSL) is managed by Changi Airport Group and stands inside the Seletar Aerospace Park, about 15 km north of the city centre and some 20 minutes by car from Marina Bay. Its single runway, 03/21, is 1,836 m by 46 m and takes aircraft up to the size of a Boeing 757, although an ultra long range jet with full tanks may need more runway than that. Passengers clear customs and immigration at the Seletar Business Aviation Centre, and every flight must appoint a licensed handler; Jet Aviation, Universal Aviation and Wings Over Asia work there. Seletar issues no slots: the handler files the flight details in a window that opens seven days before and closes at 22:00 the evening before.

The limits are the hours and the ground. From 22:00 to 07:00 local time only medical and emergency flights may operate, and from Tuesday to Sunday four short daytime windows are reserved for training flights, so the handler fits the arrival around them. The terminal's single customs counter handles one movement at a time, with departures first. Fuel is sold from 07:30 to 22:00 on weekdays and from 08:30 to 17:30 at weekends, there is no caterer on the field, and an aircraft staying more than 24 hours is towed to a compact parking area. Before a full-fuel departure to Europe, the operator checks take-off performance in the heat and humidity, and if the runway is too short for the load, the flight leaves from Changi.

Changi (SIN, WSSS) lies about 24 km east of the centre, 25 minutes by car. It works 24 hours on runways of up to 4,000 m, but airline traffic comes first: business aircraft need a slot requested at least 72 hours ahead, are parked on remote stands and may stay no more than 24 hours, and propeller aircraft are not admitted. The authority can direct a charter to Seletar instead. Passengers use the private terminal for commercially important persons beside Terminal 2, with its own driveway and lounge.

Alternates across the border

When Singapore's curfew, slots or parking do not fit, the aircraft can use an airport in a neighbouring country. Distances are straight-line from Seletar:

For a stay of several days we compare keeping the aircraft at Seletar with sending it to Johor Bahru or Kuala Lumpur and back, and quote the cheaper plan.

Which aircraft for a flight to Singapore

Seletar's runway and the 13-hour sector narrow the choice to a few types:

The number of beds differs between aircraft of the same type, so tell us how many passengers want to sleep. More about the classes in the catalogue of ultra long range jets and heavy jets.

Not sure which airport and aircraft suit your timetable? Leave a phone number and a consultant calls you back.

When to go: monsoons, Grand Prix and Airshow

The temperature stays around 30 °C all year, so the calendar is about rain and big events:

For business trips March, May and November are the easiest months: hotels around Marina Bay have rooms, and a stay at Seletar is simple to extend by a day.

From the airport to Marina Bay, Orchard Road and Sentosa

The driver waits at the Business Aviation Centre or the Changi private terminal, depending on where the aircraft lands.

Empty Legs to and from Singapore

Regional aircraft cross into Singapore every day and often fly back empty, and long sectors to Europe appear after a drop-off. Typical directions:

The operator sets the time, and it must still fit Seletar's hours or a Changi slot. Write to empty-legs@jets.flights with the direction and dates.

Bringing a dog or cat into Singapore

• Import licence from the Animal and Veterinary Service, valid for 90 days, and an agent approved by the service who clears the animal at the quarantine point by Changi cargo terminal, so the arrival airport is agreed with the agent.
• Microchip, rabies vaccination with an inactivated or recombinant vaccine, and an antibody test taken at least 28 days after the vaccination, between 90 days and 12 months before departure.
• Singapore sorts countries into categories by rabies risk; depending on the category, dogs and cats from Europe may spend at least 30 days in a government quarantine station, booked in advance.
• Pit bull types, Akita, Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Boerboel, Neapolitan Mastiff, Presa Canario and their crosses are banned; Bengal and Savannah cats only from the fifth generation.
• Back to Europe: Singapore is on the EU list, so no antibody test is needed for the return with an EU pet passport. For the UK, Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway a dog gets tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before arriving, and the UK limits pet arrivals to approved routes and handlers.
• On board, the pet travels in the cabin beside you, up to five animals, once the operator has approved it.

Entry, permits and local rules

For trips that continue to Penang, Langkawi or Kuala Lumpur, see the page on Malaysia; for Jakarta and the islands, Indonesia.

Before departure: checklist

• Passports valid six months after arrival for every passenger.
• SG Arrival Card completed within three days before landing.
• Names and passport numbers for the permit at least three working days ahead.
• The time you need to be in the city, so the landing fits Seletar's hours.
• Hotel or office address for the driver.
• Catering order for the return, delivered from the city if you leave from Seletar.
• Pet licence, agent and quarantine booking if an animal travels.

How to book a private jet to Singapore

1. Send the departure airport, dates, number of passengers and the time you need to be in the city.
2. We compare a Challenger 650 or Falcon 7X into Seletar with a non-stop Global 7500 into Changi, including where the aircraft waits.
3. You receive 2-4 options with operator, model, cabin photos, flight time and the price for the whole aircraft, with permit, parking and crew costs shown separately.
4. You sign the contract and pay; the operator files the permit with the passenger list, and the handler books the Seletar window or the Changi slot.
5. Before departure you receive the crew contact and the terminal details; the car waits at the business aviation terminal.

Our team

Charlotte McKinney

Commercial Director

charlotte.m@jets.flights

Henry Richter

Head of Aviation Department and Data Protection Officer

henry.r@jets.flights

Emma Miller

Director of Development

emma.m@jets.flights

Liam Bishop

Senior Aviation Consultant

liam.b@jets.flights

Oliver Davis

Aviation Consultant

oliver.d@jets.flights

Anna Laurent

Aviation Consultant

anna.l@jets.flights

Questions about private flights to Singapore

• • How much does a private jet to Singapore cost?

  • From the main European hubs a Challenger 650 with one fuel stop costs from EUR 130,000 (Vienna) to EUR 150,000 (Madrid) one way for the whole aircraft. A non-stop Global 7500 costs from EUR 175,000. From Kuala Lumpur a light jet starts at EUR 9,500.

• • Do private jets land at Seletar or Changi?

  • Most land at Seletar, which has a Business Aviation Centre, needs no slot and allows longer parking. Changi is used for night arrivals and heavy departures, with a slot and a ground time of 24 hours at most.

• • Can we land at night?

  • Not at Seletar, which is closed to flights from 22:00 to 07:00 except medical and emergency flights. A late arrival is planned into Changi, if a slot is granted.

• • How long is the flight from Europe?

  • Non-stop in a Global 7500 into Changi it takes 12:22 h from Vienna and 13:50 h from London Farnborough. With one fuel stop in a Falcon 7X into Seletar, 14:15 h from Vienna and 15:47 h from London.

• • Do we need a visa?

  • EU and UK citizens need no visa for a short business or tourist stay. Passports must be valid for six months, and each passenger completes the SG Arrival Card online within three days before arrival.

• • How far ahead should we book?

  • The flight permit needs three working days, or 24 hours under the express procedure. In the week of the Grand Prix or the Airshow, book the aircraft and parking several weeks ahead.

• • Can the aircraft wait for us?

  • At Seletar, yes, although after 24 hours it is towed to a compact parking area and space is limited. Changi allows 24 hours at most, so for longer stays we compare Seletar with Johor Bahru or Kuala Lumpur.

• • Can we combine Singapore with Bali or Phuket?

  • Yes. Both are international sectors of under three hours in a light or midsize jet, each with its own landing permit, and the long-haul aircraft can fly them too.

• • How much luggage can we take?

  • A Falcon 7X or Global 7500 carries luggage for a full cabin. On a non-stop flight with full tanks the operator checks the weight, so give the number and size of bags.

• • Can our dog come with us?

  • Yes, but it takes months: an import licence, vaccination, antibody test, an approved agent and, depending on the country category, at least 30 days of quarantine. Several breeds are banned.

• • Are there Empty Legs to Singapore?

  • Yes, mainly short legs from Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bangkok and Jakarta, and occasional long sectors from Europe after a drop-off. Send your dates to empty-legs@jets.flights.