Singapore Airlines said on Monday (15 June) that its May passenger traffic, measured in revenue passenger-kilometres (RPKs), recorded a 99.6 percent year-on-year decline as travel demand was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with border controls and travel restrictions remaining in place around the world. Overall passenger capacity (measured in available seat kilometres) was cut by 96.2 percent in response. Passenger load factor (PLF) fell to 8.6 percent.
SIA’s capacity was 95.6 percent lower compared to last year’s, with only a skeletal network in operation connecting Singapore to 14 metro cities. Passenger carriage declined 99.5 percent, resulting in a PLF of 9.2 percent. The number of destinations, as well as the frequencies on some existing services, will be increased in June and July 2020, arising from the resumption of transfers via Changi.
Regional carrier affiliate SilkAir’s passenger carriage decreased by 99.8 percent against a 99.6 percent cut in capacity. PLF declined to 31.7 percent. During the month, SilkAir only operated flights between Singapore and Chongqing.
Low-cost carrier affiliate Scoot’s passenger carriage declined 99.9 percent against a contraction in capacity of 97.5 percent, which led to a PLF of 2.7 percent. During the month, Scoot temporarily ceased operations to Southeast Asia, West Asia and Europe, while maintaining flights to Hong Kong and Perth.
Cargo load factor (CLF) was 14.4 percentage points higher as the capacity contraction of 61.9 percent outpaced the 52.8 percent decline in cargo traffic (measured in freight tonne-kilometres). Capacity contraction would have been much greater, save for the deployment of passenger aircraft on cargo-only flights. All regions registered improvements in CLF.
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