SINGAPORE. Despite the global economic slowdown in the second half of 2008, Singapore Changi Airport handled a +2.7% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic to 37.7 million. However, the financial crisis left its mark in the last four months of the year as passenger traffic declined in September, November and December due to “negative sentiment and decreased travel demand”, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said.
Among the top 15 markets by passenger traffic, both regional and long-haul sectors registered growth.
In the region, the sectors of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam, grew +6.5%, +9.4%, +11.9% and +19.4% respectively, while the long-haul sectors of Australia, Germany and the UK grew +5.6%, +5% and +7%. Declines of -10.9% and -5.2% were registered in passenger traffic from Thailand and China.
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Source: The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) |
CAAS Director-General and Chief Executive Officer Lim Kim Choon commented: “2008 has been a busy year for CAAS and Changi Airport, with highlights such as the opening of Terminal 3 and the inaugural Singapore Airshow. Upgrading works at Terminal 1 and the Budget Terminal also commenced. Besides registering higher passenger traffic, in terms of air connectivity, the Changi family also grew, with six new airlines coming on board and nine new city links.”
Lim added: “Despite the difficult economic climate, Changi Airport has performed commendably in 2008. We acknowledge that 2009 will be a challenging year and recognise the tough operating environment that airlines and airport partners are operating in. CAAS is committed to help its partners at Changi ride out the downturn, through means such as the extension of the Air Hub Development Fund.”
As at 1 January 2009 Changi Airport is served by 83 airlines operating more than 4,670 weekly scheduled flights to 190 cities in 60 countries.
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