Asia (Commonwealth Union)_ passenger volumes at Singapore’s Changi Airport are expected to reach pre-pandemic levels in 2024, the country’s transport ministry said in a written response to parliamentary questions.
In December, monthly passenger traffic recovered to around 90% of pre-Covid levels. the airport handled 58.9 million passenger movements, or 86% of traffic recorded in 2019, for the full year of 2023, stated the ministry.
It added that to meet longer term demand for air travel, the financial hub plans to start construction of a fifth airport terminal next year and expects it to be operational in mid-2030s.
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Changi Airport sees 86% recovery in 2023 passenger traffic, fueled by strong Q4 growth
In 2023, Singapore Changi Airport managed 58.9 million passenger movements, representing 86% of the traffic recorded in 2019. The total aircraft movements, including take-offs and landings, reached 328,000, compared to 382,000 in 2019. Despite a volatile global economic environment, the airfreight throughput for the year was 1.74 million tonnes, marking a year-on-year decline of 6%.
During the fourth quarter from October to December 2023, Changi Airport’s passenger traffic surpassed 90% recovery, recording 16.1 million passenger movements. December 2023 emerged as the busiest month, with 5.8 million passenger movements, equivalent to 91% of the traffic in December 2019. The peak day of the year was 22nd December, 2023, the Friday before Christmas, when 203,000 passengers passed through Changi’s terminals. Aircraft movements for the month totaled 30,400, reaching 91% of 2019 levels, while airfreight throughput stood at 150,000 tonnes, reflecting a 1.5% decline compared to December 2022.
In terms of traffic recovery, the North America region showed the strongest progress in 2019, surpassing 2019 levels by over 25%. Europe, Southwest Pacific, and South Asia were close to full recovery, registering over 90% of 2019 traffic. Northeast Asia led the way in passenger traffic growth, increasing over four times that of 2022. This was mainly due to increased travel between China and Singapore. Southeast Asia followed with a 72% year-on-year growth.
The primary passenger markets for Changi Airport in the year comprised Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, and India. Notably, China, Japan, and South Korea were the fastest-growing among Changi’s top 10 markets, with China reclaiming its position in the top 10. Cargo flows experienced a slight dip compared to 2022, with China, Australia, Hong Kong, the United States of America, and India being Changi’s top five air cargo markets for the year.
Mr. Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President for Air Hub and Cargo Development, expressed optimism about 2023 as a year of resounding travel resumption and the full reopening of Changi Airport’s Terminal 2. Changi aims, looking ahead to 2024, for a full recovery to pre-Covid connectivity and traffic levels.
In 2023, Changi Airport expanded its network by welcoming three new passenger airlines and adding two new passenger city links. Notable developments include the establishment of a link to Beijing Daxing Airport along with a partnership with TUI Airways and Marella Cruises to bring fly-cruise passengers from the United Kingdom to Singapore. Air Canada announced its return to Changi Airport after 30 years, with a non-stop Vancouver-Singapore service starting in April 2024. Singapore Airlines also planned new passenger services to Brussels and London Gatwick in April and June 2024, respectively.
On the cargo front, Changi Airport saw the introduction of three new freighter services in December 2023. As of January 2024, 93 airlines operate over 6,700 weekly scheduled flights at Changi Airport, globally connecting Singapore to 154 cities in 49 countries and territories.
