Driven by the LCC's on the Malaysian routes though:
SINGAPORE: More flights are operating out of Singapore's Changi Airport despite the global economic downturn, according to figures for the Northern Winter 2008 season between October 26 and March 28 next year.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said from November 1, Changi has seen a record number of weekly scheduled flights of 4,466. That is an increase of 3.5 per cent, or 152 weekly flights, compared to levels recorded at the start of the year.
From December 1, the number of weekly scheduled flights are expected to go up by 8.9 per cent over January's figure.
CAAS attributes the strong numbers to the freeing up of air services between Singapore and Malaysia.
Singapore and Malaysia recently agreed to allow low-cost airlines to operate between Singapore and three cities in East Malaysia - namely Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Miri - starting November 1.
AirAsia has launched daily services from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to Singapore, and Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia will follow suit with a new daily service to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu respectively over the next few weeks.
It added that the full liberalisation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route, which takes effect on December 1, will further boost the number of weekly flights on the sector.
AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Silk Air and Tiger Airways are adding a total of 180 new weekly flights on the sector.
CAAS said that although softening of travel demand has caused some airlines to rationalise their network at Changi Airport, the reduction in flights has been more than offset by the increase in new flights on intra-Asian sectors such as Bangkok, Phuket and Hong Kong.
The Middle Eastern sectors, such as Riyadh and Dubai, are also doing well.
Over the next two months, Changi Airport will welcome more new flights. Notably, Jetstar Airways will launch their new daily service from Perth in December.
While such increases in weekly flights is good news for Singapore's aviation industry, Mr Lim Kim Choon, director-general and chief executive officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), remains cautious about the outlook for 2009.
He said: "The strong growth in weekly scheduled flights this year demonstrates Changi Airport's continued relevance as a major global aviation hub. However, 2009 will be a very challenging year for the aviation industry as the full impact of the global economic downturn is expected to be felt more acutely.
"CAAS recognises the tough operating environment of our airline partners and is committed to help our airlines ride out the downturn, within our means." -
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...389618/1/.html
SINGAPORE: More flights are operating out of Singapore's Changi Airport despite the global economic downturn, according to figures for the Northern Winter 2008 season between October 26 and March 28 next year.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said from November 1, Changi has seen a record number of weekly scheduled flights of 4,466. That is an increase of 3.5 per cent, or 152 weekly flights, compared to levels recorded at the start of the year.
From December 1, the number of weekly scheduled flights are expected to go up by 8.9 per cent over January's figure.
CAAS attributes the strong numbers to the freeing up of air services between Singapore and Malaysia.
Singapore and Malaysia recently agreed to allow low-cost airlines to operate between Singapore and three cities in East Malaysia - namely Kuching, Kota Kinabalu and Miri - starting November 1.
AirAsia has launched daily services from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu to Singapore, and Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia will follow suit with a new daily service to Kuching and Kota Kinabalu respectively over the next few weeks.
It added that the full liberalisation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route, which takes effect on December 1, will further boost the number of weekly flights on the sector.
AirAsia, Jetstar Asia, Silk Air and Tiger Airways are adding a total of 180 new weekly flights on the sector.
CAAS said that although softening of travel demand has caused some airlines to rationalise their network at Changi Airport, the reduction in flights has been more than offset by the increase in new flights on intra-Asian sectors such as Bangkok, Phuket and Hong Kong.
The Middle Eastern sectors, such as Riyadh and Dubai, are also doing well.
Over the next two months, Changi Airport will welcome more new flights. Notably, Jetstar Airways will launch their new daily service from Perth in December.
While such increases in weekly flights is good news for Singapore's aviation industry, Mr Lim Kim Choon, director-general and chief executive officer, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), remains cautious about the outlook for 2009.
He said: "The strong growth in weekly scheduled flights this year demonstrates Changi Airport's continued relevance as a major global aviation hub. However, 2009 will be a very challenging year for the aviation industry as the full impact of the global economic downturn is expected to be felt more acutely.
"CAAS recognises the tough operating environment of our airline partners and is committed to help our airlines ride out the downturn, within our means." -
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stori...389618/1/.html
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