Ministerial statement: S Iswaran on safe and orderly restoration of air connectivity
Singapore will continue to take a careful and calibrated approach in the restoration of air connectivity, said Transport Minister S Iswaran. In his ministerial statement in Parliament on Monday (Jan 9), he said this measured approach has enabled a safe and orderly resumption of Singapore's air connectivity with the world. He said Singapore will monitor the outcomes and evolving public health situation, assess the operational impact and decide on further moves. Mr Iswaran said the aviation community in Changi remains vigilant and is prepared to respond quickly if there are material changes in the operating environment. The priority is to protect aviation workers, travellers and the broader community, he said. As China reopens, Singapore will continue with this cautious approach to ensure that Changi Airport has the capacity to manage the increased flights, provide clarity and certainty to airlines, and ensure that passengers have a safe and smooth experience. The average weekly passenger traffic at Changi Airport has recovered to about 80 per cent of pre-COVID-19 levels. As at the end of October 2022, there were 25 weekly flights between China and Singapore. As both sides gradually increased flight connectivity, this rose to 36 weekly flights around mid-December 2022. At present, there are 38 weekly flights between China and Singapore. Singapore receives 700 to 1,000 inbound passengers from China daily. More than 60 per cent of these travellers are Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders. Mr Iswaran said Singapore enjoys longstanding and multifaceted relations with China. It is in the interest of both countries to restore air connectivity in a safe and orderly manner, he said. After China announced that it would reopen its borders and remove quarantine requirements for returning travellers, Singapore and Chinese airlines have applied to operate more flights between the two countries. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is evaluating and will progressively approve these applications. Mr Iswaran stressed that Singapore will carefully restore air connectivity with China, taking into consideration the prevailing public health assessment, as well as Changi's capacity to ensure efficient operations and a safe and smooth travel experience.
Singapore will continue to take a careful and calibrated approach in the restoration of air connectivity, said Transport Minister S Iswaran. In his ministerial statement in Parliament on Monday (Jan 9), he said this measured approach has enabled a safe and orderly resumption of Singapore's air connectivity with the world. He said Singapore will monitor the outcomes and evolving public health situation, assess the operational impact and decide on further moves. Mr Iswaran said the aviation community in Changi remains vigilant and is prepared to respond quickly if there are material changes in the operating environment. The priority is to protect aviation workers, travellers and the broader community, he said. As China reopens, Singapore will continue with this cautious approach to ensure that Changi Airport has the capacity to manage the increased flights, provide clarity and certainty to airlines, and ensure that passengers have a safe and smooth experience. The average weekly passenger traffic at Changi Airport has recovered to about 80 per cent of pre-COVID-19 levels. As at the end of October 2022, there were 25 weekly flights between China and Singapore. As both sides gradually increased flight connectivity, this rose to 36 weekly flights around mid-December 2022. At present, there are 38 weekly flights between China and Singapore. Singapore receives 700 to 1,000 inbound passengers from China daily. More than 60 per cent of these travellers are Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders. Mr Iswaran said Singapore enjoys longstanding and multifaceted relations with China. It is in the interest of both countries to restore air connectivity in a safe and orderly manner, he said. After China announced that it would reopen its borders and remove quarantine requirements for returning travellers, Singapore and Chinese airlines have applied to operate more flights between the two countries. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is evaluating and will progressively approve these applications. Mr Iswaran stressed that Singapore will carefully restore air connectivity with China, taking into consideration the prevailing public health assessment, as well as Changi's capacity to ensure efficient operations and a safe and smooth travel experience.
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