Author: Shane

Commentary: What will happen to Changi Airport?

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With major carriers at the airport almost zeroing their capacity, what are Changi’s options? In the fight against Covid-19, Singapore has finally done in March what it has long been reluctant to do: shutting off its borders to visitors. As an international and world renowned air hub, this was simply unimaginable in the past. Here in Singapore, we pride ourselves for being an open nation, where foreign tourists and businesses alike are welcome to spend and earn their money here. Since the beginning of the year, Singapore has increasingly tighten the controls to keep the virus out. First it was a Stay-Home Notice (SHN) on visitors from select region, followed by a ban of visitors from certain regions, and the list of countries slowly expanded over the weeks. These measures weren’t success enough, by the government’s standards, to keep the virus at bay, so the final gauntlet was dropped on Sunday when Singapore announced it will bar all short term visitors since 23 Mar. Subsequently, even long-term pass holders had to seek permission before setting …

Singapore Airlines cuts 96% of planned capacity as Singapore shuts borders to visitors

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All but some essential routes will be axed Following Singapore’s announcement over the weekend to bar all foreign visitors and even restrict long term visitors to come in, Singapore Airlines announced it will be cutting 96% of its scheduled capacity till end-April 2020, along with it, grounding 138 out of 147 aircraft. This comes after Scoot suspended most of its network until late April, grounding 47 out of 49 aircraft. Deeper cuts Singapore Airlines have previously said it will cut its capacity by up to 50% just last week, after drastic measures put in by the Singapore government to place most travellers on 14-day Stay Home Notice (SHN). With the latest tightening of Singapore’s border control, Singapore Airlines is definitely an inevitable victim of circumstances, with virtually zero As of last Saturday after all in-bound travellers are required to serve 14-day SHN, only a mere 600 odd visitors entered the country – probably the lowest Singapore has ever seen in decades – and this number will be zeroed in the weeks ahead. Flights to be …

Cathay Pacific slashes 96% of capacity in April & May

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The Hong Kong based airline will only operate three weekly flights each to 12 cities worldwide. Following a major reduction of capacity since earlier this year, Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon has announced a further reduction of capacity. All Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon flights are essentially cancelled, except for three flights a week to 15 cities around the world. The cities are: Singapore Kuala Lumpur* Bangkok Jakarta Manila Ho Chi Minh City Beijing* Shanghai Pudong* Tokyo Taipei New Delhi Sydney Los Angeles Vancouver London Heathrow *operated by Cathay Dragon The skeletal operations will last through May, after which Cathay Pacific will review the situation and make further announcements. The reduction means a 96% reduction in capacity by the carrier. As again, affected travellers (who is actually still travelling?!) will be reaccommodated on appropriate services, although I would reckon that may mean up to 2 days’ wait at the airport for your connecting flight! The full schedule of this skeletal service is not out yet, but I will imagine they will not be regular (i.e. …