Changi Airport Group, which owns and operates Singapore Changi Airport, has published its June traffic statistics, showing a healthy recovery in passenger numbers. There was a decline in air freight, primarily driven by global economic factors.
Passenger Movements Reach over 5 million for the first time since 2020
During June 2023, Singapore Changi Airport handled 5.12 million passengers, surpassing five million passengers for the first time since January 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. This figure represents 88% of the passenger movements in June 2019.
MONTHLY BREAKDOWN OF PASSENGER MOVEMENTS
| 2022 (‘000) | 2023 (‘000) | CHANGE (%) | |
| January | 720 | 4,370 | 506.6 |
| February | 703 | 4,003 | 469.4 |
| March | 1,140 | 4,634 | 306.0 |
| April | 1,930 | 4,603 | 138.2 |
| May | 2,470 | 4,840 | 96.3 |
| June | 2,930 | 5,120 | 74.9 |
Quarterly, Changi Airport saw 14.6 million passenger movements from April to June 2023, 87% of what was registered for the second quarter of 2019.
Passenger traffic to and from Northeast Asia steadily improved, rising from around 50% of pre-Covid levels in January 2023 to 75% by June 2023.
Changi Airport take-offs and landings at 88% of 2019
Changi recorded 27,500 landings and take-offs for June 2023, about 88% of those recorded in June 2019.
MONTHLY BREAKDOWN OF COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS
| 2022 (‘000) | 2023 (‘000) | CHANGE (%) | |
| January | 12.1 | 25.2 | 106.8 |
| February | 10.9 | 22.9 | 110.6 |
| March | 13.2 | 26.1 | 98.1 |
| April | 15.1 | 26.3 | 74.7 |
| May | 17.1 | 27.6 | 61.1 |
| June | 18.4 | 27.5 | 49.7 |
Quarterly, aircraft movements reached 81,400 or 86% compared to the corresponding period in 2019.
Changi Airport’s top five traffic markets for the quarter were (in alphabetical order) Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.
Airfreight Declines
Airfreight throughput stood at 135,000 tonnes for the month, representing a year-on-year decline of 17%.
MONTHLY BREAKDOWN OF AIR FREIGHT MOVEMENTS (TONNES)
| 2022 (‘000) | 2023 (‘000) | CHANGE (%) | |
| January | 169 | 133 | (21.2) |
| February | 137 | 131 | (4.3) |
| March | 152 | 152 | 0.3 |
| April | 152 | 141 | (7.5) |
| May | 153 | 142 | (7.4) |
| June | 163 | 135 | (17.0) |
From April to June 2023, airfreight throughput totaled 418,000 tonnes, a decline of 10.8% year-on-year. Air cargo demand remained weak due to softening demand amid inflationary pressures.
Changi’s top five air cargo markets comprised Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, and the United States of America for the period. India has emerged among the top five air cargo markets for two consecutive quarters since the start of 2023.
Steady Growth In Passengers And Improved Connectivity
Mr. Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President for Air Hub and Cargo Development, said of the June results, “Changi Airport continues to witness steady growth in passenger traffic, with passenger movements inching closer to 90% of 2019 levels as we close the second quarter. We are pleased to have crossed the five-million mark again in June with the mid-year holiday season. Changi has regained more than 80% of its pre-Covid city links, and we look forward to strengthening connectivity to more points in Southeast Asia and China in the second half of the year.”
New Indigo Service to India and the Long-Awaited Return of Air Canada
In the second quarter of 2023, Indigo launched twice-weekly passenger services to Bhubaneswar, Changi Airport’s first city link to India’s eastern state of Odisha and the 17th link to India.
Air Canada announced the resumption of its Vancouver-Singapore service in April 2024, after over three decades since the airline last operated at Changi.
As of 1 July, 99 airlines operate over 6,300 weekly flights at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to 148 cities in 49 countries and territories worldwide.
About Changi Airport Group
Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) (www.changiairportgroup.com) was formed on 16 June 2009, and the corporatization of Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) followed on 1 July 2009.
As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities, and airport emergency services. CAG also manages Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) and invests in and manages foreign airports through its subsidiary Changi Airports International.
As one of Asia’s most connected international aviation hubs, Singapore Changi Airport links Singapore to 140 cities globally, with over 100 airlines operating over 6,000 weekly flights.
Jewel Changi Airport, a multi-dimensional lifestyle destination, opened in April 2019, adding to Changi Airport’s shopping and dining offerings of over 550 F&B and retail outlets across the airport.
Changi, the world’s most awarded airport, has won over 650 accolades for its consistent and excellent airport staff service, passenger experience, and safety standards.