Operating indicators for March 2013

SINGAPORE, 23 April 2013 – Singapore Changi Airport achieved its highest passenger traffic ever for the month of March when it registered 4.61 million passenger movements in March 2013, an increase of 7.7% over the same month last year.  Holiday makers travelling over the Good Friday long weekend and the weekend prior contributed to the traffic growth.  In tandem, aircraft movements grew by 5.3% to 28,400 flights. 

In the first quarter of 2013, Changi Airport handled 13.05 million passenger movements, representing an increase of 6.2% over the same period last year.  Traffic to and from Northeast Asia, Southwest Pacific and South Asia continued to underpin growth during this period.  Aircraft movements for the quarter saw a 3.9% increase year-on-year to 82,600 flights.

Airfreight movements posted a 2.2% decline for the three months, with 434,000 tonnes of cargo handled.  For the month of March 2013, a total of 167,200 tonnes of cargo were handled at Changi Airport, a growth of 2.5% compared to March 2012.

For the Northern Summer 2013 season (31 March to 26 October), strong growth in travel demand within Asia will see capacity on several sectors being boosted including Bangkok, Phuket, Penang, Danang, Yangon and Coimbatore, with the addition of up to seven weekly services on some routes.  As well, direct flights to Myanmar's second largest city, Mandalay, have recently commenced. 

In the Southwest Pacific region, Singapore travellers now enjoy enhanced connectivity to Australia with the addition of six weekly Jetstar Asia services to Perth starting on 1 April 2013.  Come July, Singapore Airlines (SIA) will add seven weekly services to Melbourne and two weekly services to Adelaide.  Changi Airport is currently connected to seven cities in Australia via ten airlines, operating a total of 232 weekly services.

Similarly, travellers now have more options when travelling to Europe, with five weekly SIA services to Copenhagen from Changi, up from the current three.  In May, travellers can look forward to another direct service to Zurich when Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), the national carrier of Switzerland, commences services at Changi Airport. 

Changi Airport welcomed its newest carrier, Sichuan Airlines, on 6 April 2013.  The seventh Chinese carrier to operate at Changi, Sichuan Airlines has launched twice-weekly services from Nanning to Singapore, departing Singapore on Wednesdays and Saturdays.  With services to 25 Chinese cities, Changi Airport is the most connected point in Southeast Asia to China. 

As at 1 April 2013, more than 100 airlines operate at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to 250 cities in some 60 countries and territories worldwide.  With more than 6,500 weekly scheduled flights, an aircraft takes off or lands at Changi roughly once every 100 seconds. 

Changi Airport’s traffic statistics are available at

http://www.changiairportgroup.com/cag/html/the-group/air_traffic_statistics.html.

Other highlights at Changi

New Outlets – Changi Airport welcomed new tenants in the Transit Malls of all three terminals in March.  Shoppers can delight in the addition of Prada to the list of luxury brands at Terminal 3 and Emporio Armani in Terminal 2.  Panda Kiosk, selling panda-themed memorabilia such as soft toys and stationery, and tcc – The Connoisseur Concerto commenced operations in Terminal 2 as well.  Terminal 1 saw the addition of local brands Bee Cheng Hiang, which specialises in barbecued meat products, and Eu Yan Sang, which offers premium traditional Chinese health products. 

Awards – Year to date, Changi Airport has been conferred seven Best Airport awards, including the 2013 Skytrax award for Best Airport in the World.