Requirements for Foreign Operators

If you are a foreign operator that holds an Air Operator Certificate (AOC), Aerial Work Certificate (AWC), or similar authorisation from another country, you will need to obtain a Foreign Operator's Permit (FOP) before you can operate an aircraft into or out of Singapore.

This requirement applies to foreign operators conducting:

  • Commercial air transport operations (e.g. passenger, cargo flights or charter flights)
  • Aerial work operations (e.g. aerial photography, aerial surveying or target towing)

If you plan to conduct both types of operations, you will need to obtain separate permits for each.

Where to find more information

For detailed requirements, please refer to:

How to Apply for a Foreign Operator's Permit

Step 1: Register for flightSG login account
To access flightSG, you need a Corppass account. Please refer to the user guide to register and manage the flightSG login account.

Step 2: Submit your application
Log in to flightSG using your Corppass credentials and apply for the appropriate FOP based on your type of operations.

Step 3: CAAS evaluation
CAAS will evaluate your application. For more details, please refer to Advisory Circular AC 129-3-1(0) Foreign Operator's Permit.

The processing time of application takes up to four weeks after the full submission of all required supporting documents. You can find more information on processing timelines here.

Step 4: Payment

If your application is approved, you will need to pay the required fees through flightSG before your FOP can be issued. Fee amounts are listed in the Second Schedule of ANR-129.

Once your FOP is issued, you will be subject to continuing surveillance, which may include ramp inspections and post flight document reviews.

Need help?
For questions about FOP applications, contact CAAS_FS_FOS@caas.gov.sg.

Scheduled Air Services for Hire or Reward

Foreign operators operating scheduled air services to/from Singapore are subject to the various bilateral/multilateral air services agreements (ASAs). Before applying to CAAS, foreign operators are advised to check with your respective aviation authorities to:

1.   Apply to be a designated carrier under the relevant ASA; and
2.   Check that you have been accorded the necessary traffic rights for the route that you intend to operate.

You are then required to file your proposed flight schedules through the Schedules module in flightSG at least 4 weeks before each IATA schedule season for CAAS’ review in relation to the exercise of traffic rights.

You are also required to apply for CAAS’ approval for any revisions to your schedule filings for the season, ad-hoc changes to flight schedules and flight cancellations. Such applications should be filed through flightSG. Processing time usually takes 3-5 working days.

  • Please refer to the flightSG user manual on “Filing and Revision of Flight Schedules” for the step-by-step guide on how to file for scheduled air services.

New airlines operating to Changi Airport may contact Changi Airport Group for important information that can help you plan your operations. 

Non-Scheduled Air Services for Hire or Reward

Foreign operators operating non-scheduled air services to/from Singapore are required to apply for an Air Transport Permit (AT Permit) through flightSG. Some examples of non-scheduled air services requiring a valid AT Permit include charter flights for business, cargo, and medevac. Ad-hoc flights operated by an airline on top of its scheduled services are also regarded as non-scheduled air services, and require AT Permits as well.

  • Please refer to the flightSG user manual on “Application for Permit for Non-scheduled Air Services” for the step-by-step guide on how to apply for AT Permit.
  • For urgent non-scheduled air services that are less than 24 hours from the proposed date of operation, foreign operators are to submit the application for AT Permit on flightSG and inform the CAAS duty officer at +65 9833 1775.  

Slot Approval

Regardless of whether you are operating to Changi Airport or Seletar Airport, a slots approval is required before you operate to Singapore:

Changi Airport

To apply for slots at Changi Airport, all foreign operators or their agents (for non-scheduled, scheduled and private flights) must submit their applications to the Changi Slot Coordinator via either:

a.   A Slot Clearance Request (SCR) to the Changi Slot Coordinator (CSC) minimally 72 hours prior to the operation of the flight, for which the slot will be utilized, at:

Email: csc@changiairport.com
Tel: +65 6541 2378 or +65 6541 3064

b.   For operators without a 2-letter IATA airline code, a General (Aviation) Clearance Request (GCR) to the Changi Slot Coordinator (CSC) at:

Email: csc@changiairport.com

For urgent non-scheduled, scheduled and private flight operations that are less than 24 hours from the proposed date of operation, in addition to submitting the SCR/GCR, operators/agents must also inform the Airside Operations Section of CAG (Airside Management Centre) at +65 6603 4906 / +65 6541 2275 / +65 6541 2273.

Seletar Airport

All foreign operators of non-scheduled or private flights intending to operate to Seletar Airport must submit flight details of their planned operations to the Seletar Schedules Facilitator prior to these operations. Details of your planned operations shall be submitted by operators or their agents to seletar.airside@changiairport.com during the flights submission window. The flights submission window is defined as no earlier than 7 calendar days but no later than 1400 UTC / 2200 LT on the day prior to the planned operations.

For urgent non-scheduled or private flight operations of which details were not submitted during the flights submission window, operators or agents must submit the details to seletar.airside@changiairport.com and call to inform the Airside Operations Section of Seletar Airport at +65 6481 5077.

Operators shall be prepared to make adjustments to their operations when necessary as advised by the Seletar Schedules Facilitator.