S'pore's air traffic rebounds to almost a third of pre-Covid levels, on track to hit 50 per cent in 2022: CAAS

SINGAPORE — Singapore's air traffic volume has reached almost a third of pre-Covid levels just over two weeks after removing most restrictions on air travel and is on track to reach 50 per cent later this year, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in a statement on Monday (April 18).

The increase in air traffic since Singapore reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travellers at the start of April was recorded across all major markets, with particularly strong growth for traffic to and from Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand, said the authority.

Direct traffic increased for both international and local travellers, with Singapore citizens and permanent residents making up close to a third of total direct traffic.

In all, air passenger traffic in Singapore reached 400,000 or 31 per cent of pre-Covid levels as of the week ending on Sunday, up from 18 per cent a month ago.

The number of passenger flights also increased to 38 per cent of pre-Covid levels, up from 29 per cent a month ago.

Mr Han Kok Juan, CAAS director-general, said that he expects air traffic volume to increase further, especially during the upcoming long weekend over the public holidays for May Day and Hari Raya Puasa, as well as the June school holiday season.