Covid-19: Singaporeans in London offered special arrangement to fly home with SIA
The Singapore High Commission in London has an “exclusive ticket arrangement” with Singapore Airlines for Singaporeans and permanent residents to fly home and students get priority.
SINGAPORE — Singapore citizens and permanent residents (PR) in London looking to secure a flight home amid the escalating Covid-19 crisis are getting a helping hand from the Singapore High Commission in London, which has struck an arrangement with Singapore Airlines (SIA).
Anyone interested in the flights, which will operate from now until March 31, and possibly into April if there is unmet demand, are invited to register their interest at a dedicated webpage of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
On March 14, the World Health Organization declared that Europe was the new epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the latest 32 Covid-19 cases reported in Singapore, 13 had recently travelled to the United Kingdom.
In a Facebook post on Thursday (March 19), the High Commission revealed what it called an “exclusive ticket arrangement” with SIA. It added that the flights are subject to availability, with students being the priority.
The Singapore Embassy in Paris shared the original Facebook post, and added that those in France who have not been able to book a flight, could also register themselves on the website, but they would have to make their own way to London for these flights.
It is not clear whether Singaporeans in other European countries are able to do so, and MFA declined to respond to a request for clarification from TODAY.
Its Facebook post stated that SIA will directly contact Singaporeans who have registered on the website.
“Singapore Airlines will do all possible to contact you at least 24 hours before your allocated flight, and will reach out with more lead time wherever possible," the post read.
Instructions on the website further said: “Singapore Airlines will do all possible to place you on the first available flight within your preferences, or if that is not possible, on the earliest available flight after your preferred date of travel,”
It also stated that SIA has worked out a special rate for travel due to the extraordinary circumstances, although it did not elaborate on the price.
The High Commission also said that it is looking into arranging more flights if there is high unmet demand, including possible flights in April.
For Singapore citizens or permanent residents who have already booked an SIA flight that is due to depart from Thursday till the end of March, the airline has asked that passengers should not make any changes and advised them to travel according to their original itinerary.
For those holding a ticket that is set to depart from April 2020, Singaporeans can register themselves on the website and indicate their preferred flight dates.
An additional payment may be required depending on the price and original conditions of the April ticket, but this will be moderated and waived where possible due to the extraordinary circumstances, the website stated.
URGENT CASES
For those who need to return home urgently, SIA said that Singaporeans may proceed to London's Heathrow airport to stand by for a flight on the day itself.
“However, Singapore Airlines cannot guarantee that they will be accepted but there is a chance that (the airline) will have some seats available,” the High Commission said.
Singaporeans who wish to do that should not register themselves on MFA's website to avoid duplication and clogging up the system.
“Singapore Airlines will do all possible to contact you at least 24 hours before your allocated flight, and will reach out with more lead time wherever possible.
“Once ticketed, Singapore Airlines reserves the right to rebook your travel on an alternative flight due to operational contingencies,” the High Commission said.
