DESPITE the choking smoke haze that enshrouded Singapore in June, passenger traffic at Singapore Changi Airport recorded 4.7 million arrivals, the highest number in 2013 so far.
According to Changi, June’s traffic movements measured a 6.1 per cent increase year-on-year. In terms of flight movements, there were 28,300 aircraft landings and take-offs.
Singapore’s tourism sector was affected, however, with the haze hitting record highs last month and a number of attractions shuttering temporarily to protect their employees (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 21, 2013).
Yet, at least one travel agency said it had seen a slew of last-minute bookings as Singaporeans attempted to escape the bad weather (TTG Asia e-Daily, June 21, 2013), while LCCs jumped at the opportunity by offering snap getaway deals.
June’s performance brings the total number of passengers managed by Changi to 26.2 million for the first half of 2013, a five per cent rise over the corresponding period in 2012.
Meanwhile, aircraft movements for January to June grew 4.6 per cent to 166,800. Among cities with at least 250,000 passengers during this period, Yangon, Taipei and Bangkok posted strongest growth to register 27 per cent, 19 per cent and 18 per cent respectively.
