Singapore Changi Airport handled a record 53.7 million passengers and 343,800 landings and take-offs during 2013. This was an increase of 5.0% and 5.9% respectively. On the cargo front, airfreight movements were stable at 1.85 million tonnes for the year.
In the month of December 2013, Changi Airport welcomed 5.12 million passengers (+4.1% on-year), the first time the airport handled more than 5 million passengers in a month since it opened in 1981.
As at 1 January 2014, Changi Airport handles more than 6,900 weekly scheduled flights with more than 100 airlines connecting Singapore to 280 cities in about 60 countries around the world.
Changi Airport’s passenger traffic growth in 2013 was driven by strong travel demand within the Asia Pacific region. Traffic to Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, which accounts for close to 70% of Changi Airport’s total, rose 8.2% and 7.0% respectively.
Indonesia continues to be Changi’s top country market, with more than 7.4 million passengers passing through during the year, an 8.8% increase.
Five new carriers commenced operations at Changi Airport in 2013. The arrival of Ethiopian Airlines connects Singapore to East and Central Africa via Addis Ababa while the return of SWISS boosts Changi’s connectivity to Europe. The other new airlines were Golden Myanmar Airlines as well as two Bangladeshi carriers, United Airways and Regent Airways.
Stable cargo business supported by strong niche segments Changi Airport’s total cargo throughput for the year was stable, increasing 0.8%, as stronger imports outweighed slower exports and transshipment volumes. There were also some bright spots in niche cargo segments such as perishables and pharmaceuticals which continued to grow in 2013.
The recovery of the global airfreight industry remains fragile and potential growth in cargo volumes, if any, will be amidst a challenging environment as global consumer demand and cargo yields continue to remain depressed.
In light of this, Changi Airport Group (CAG) has stated that it will continue to extend support to its air cargo partners through the Changi Airport Growth Initiative for the financial year ending 31 March 2015 (FY14/15). All scheduled freighter flights at Changi Airport will enjoy a 50% landing fee rebate and cargo tenants leasing CAG cargo facilities at the Changi Airfreight.