Jetstar Asia completed the first return service between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur this morning under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme. Starting today, Singapore has extended its VTL scheme to many more countries, allowing fully vaccinated passengers quarantine-free travel. Let’s find out more about Jetstar Asia’s maiden VTL flight between the two nations.
VTL service
Jetstar Asia operated its first designated VTL flight on Monday morning between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Flight 3K683 – an Airbus A320 – carrying 170 passengers departed Singapore at 7:24 am and arrived in Kuala Lumpur at 8:44 am, according to Radarbox.com. The return service from Kuala Lumpur, 3K684, left at 9:07 am and reached Singapore at 10:01 am.
Singapore-Malaysia is one of the world’s busiest international air links and a critical route for Jetstar Asia. VTL flights like these are crucial for the carrier’s recovery. Jetstar is witnessing a heavy demand for VTL flights, as customers are desperate to reconnect with family, friends, and colleagues.
Some 30% of Jetstar’s crew are Malaysia nationals, and VTL flights will allow many to visit home again after a long COVID-induced separation from family and friends. In December, seven of Jetstar Asia’s 16 weekly return services between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore have been designated VTL flights, allowing fully vaccinated customers to enter Kuala Lumpur and Singapore quarantine-free.
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Singapore opens up gradually
Singapore has eased border restrictions for fully vaccinated incoming international passengers. The VTL scheme allows fully jabbed travelers to enter Singapore without the need to quarantine, subject to a negative COVID-19 test.
Before boarding an eligible flight, travelers have to prove they have only been to one or more of the VTL countries or Singapore in the last 14 consecutive days. Pre-departure, travelers must provide proof of a negative PCR test within 48 hours of departure for Singapore and take another test upon arrival. Non-Singapore citizens and PR holders are also required to purchase a COVID-19 insurance policy to cross the border.
Some other countries joining Malaysia that are allowed access to Singapore under the VTL scheme from November 29th are Finland, Indonesia, India, and Sweden. A few other nations already operating flights to Singapore under the VTL mechanism include the US, UK, and Australia.
Jetstar Asia rebuilds network
While the Singapore-Malaysia link is certainly an important one for the carrier, Jetstar has a few more VTL services coming up in the near future. The carrier has been granted permission to operate VTL flights from Melbourne and Darwin to Singapore from December 19th and 20th, respectively.
Jetstar will also start services between Singapore and Perth from February next year. The Western Australian capital is a popular destination for Singaporeans, and the carrier is likely to benefit from the pent-up demand.
Are you scheduled to travel to Singapore anytime soon? What do you think about Singapore’s VTL scheme? Do share your thoughts in the comment section below.