Singapore Airlines pax traffic up in April but hurdles remain due to quarantines and new infections

The Singapore Airlines group’s passenger traffic (measured in revenue passenger-kilometres) grew by more than 10 times in April compared to a year ago. This was on the back of a calibrated increase in passenger capacity (measured in available seat-kilometres) over the past 12 months, which saw SIA group’s passenger capacity rise to around 24 percent of pre-COVID levels by April 2021. Passenger load factor (PLF) for the month increased 4.6 percentage points year-on-year to 13.7 percent. Despite growing optimism due to the increased pace of vaccinations around the world, border controls and travel restrictions remained largely in place following new waves of COVID-19 infections and the emergence of more virulent strains of the virus. As at the end of April 2021, Singapore Airlines’ network covered 49 destinations (including Singapore). This followed the re-introduction of Taipei services, as well as the transfer of Medan from SilkAir as part of the ongoing integration of narrowbody operations with the parent airline. SilkAir’s network reduced to only three destinations (Cebu, Kathmandu and Singapore). Including Singapore, the combined network for full-service carriers grew from 50 destinations in March to 51 destinations at the end of April. Scoot, SIA’s low-cost carrier subsidiary, served 19 destinations (including Singapore) as at the end of April with the re-instatement of flights to Macau. Operations to South Asia and Europe remained suspended. SIA, like other carriers, has seen its cargo business grow, but bellyhold cargo is troubled because of the cut in passenger flights. (PHOTO: Singapore Airlines Cargo) SIA Cargo registered a monthly cargo load factor (CLF) of 92.1 percent, which was 16.5 percentage points higher year-on-year, as cargo traffic (measured in freight tonne-kilometres) rose by 82.7 percent on the back of a capacity expansion of 49.9 percent. All route regions except West Asia and Africa recorded year-on-year increases in CLF during the month. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Kay Rolland at [email protected]