Singapore-China passenger travel rebounds, exceeds 500,000 passengers

As of August, Changi Airport Group (CAG) of Singapore reports that passenger travel between Singapore and China has increased to 72 percent of pre-COVID levels. Notably, this is the first occasion in over three years that passenger numbers have surpassed 500,000.

In August, passenger movement between the two nations surpassed 510 thousand, compared to 713,000 in August 2019, demonstrating a significant rebound from the scant 69,000 movements recorded in January 2023 – the same month Beijing substantially eased COVID-related border restrictions.

There were 2,600 passenger flights between China and Singapore in August, which accounted for 76% of the total number of flights observed in 2019. This surge in connectivity with China has propelled the nation back into the top three source tourist markets for Singapore, trailing only Indonesia and Malaysia. In 2019, China ranked second in terms of the number of tourists visiting Singapore, just behind Indonesia.

The increase in passenger travel between Singapore and China is indicative of a gradual return to normalcy in international travel, as both countries have made significant strides in combating the pandemic. It also highlights the pent-up demand for travel and tourism, an encouraging indicator for the aviation and tourism sectors’ recovery in the region.

Singapore’s efforts to reopen its borders and revitalize its tourism sector continue, with a focus on safety measures and vaccination campaigns. As the situation evolves, it is anticipated that passenger travel between the two countries will increase further, contributing to the global recovery of the travel and tourism industry.

Original story by: IAG