Next week, Singapore Airlines will resume select services to cities around the world. This will come a week after its hub at Changi International ends its ban on transit passengers. While both Singapore and many of these destinations are only open to their own citizens and official residents, this is just one step further towards resuming a sense of normalcy. More importantly, this move will assist travelers who have otherwise been unable (or reluctant) to return home since the pandemic began.

While Singapore Airlines has stored its Airbus A380s, its A350 fleet is still operating. Photo: Airbus

"With today's announcement, SIA has cut approximately 94% of the passenger capacity that had been originally scheduled for June and July 2020 due to the Covid-19 outbreak. SIA and SilkAir will continue to adjust our capacity to match the demand for international air travel." -Singapore Airlines

New routes to connect the world

Announced on June 1st, Singapore Airlines and SilkAir are increasing the number of destinations that will be covered by their passenger network. On top of this, frequencies will increase on some existing services in June and July 2020. Here are the new additions:

  • Adelaide (Australia)
  • Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
  • Auckland (New Zealand)
  • Barcelona (Spain)
  • Brisbane (Australia)
  • Cebu (The Philippines)
  • Christchurch (New Zealand)
  • Copenhagen (Denmark)
  • Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)
  • Medan (Indonesia)
  • Melbourne (Australia)
  • Osaka (Japan)
  • and Sydney (Australia)

With many other major world cities already being served by Singapore Airlines, this latest batch of service resumptions, in conjunction with the ability to have transit passengers, will allow many more people to get home.

Singapore Airlines' full list of available services for June and July can be found on the airline's website.

Singapore A330
Airfleets lists a single Airbus A330 as still being active with Singapore Airlines. Photo: Aero Icarus via Wikimedia Commons

Green lane arrangements

Singapore is currently in talks with several countries to resume select travel. Labeled “green-lane” arrangements, Singapore hopes to restart essential travel with nations that it perceives as having the COVID-19 situation under control.

South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia are nations involved in green-lane discussions with Singapore. In fact, the People’s Republic of China was the first to successfully establish a green-lane arrangement. This agreement will begin this month.

Changi will gradually reopen to transit passengers. Photo: Chris Loh/Simple Flying

Conclusion

Singapore Airlines was hit exceptionally hard when the government took away Singapore Changi Airport's ability to facilitate transit passengers. While larger countries can stay afloat with some degree of domestic air travel, Singapore's status as a small city-state prevents this. Today's easing of restrictions is an exciting step for the airline.

While many of the countries Singapore Airlines will fly to still have restrictions in place, these service resumptions will hopefully begin the gradual process of seeing the airline rebuild its pre-coronavirus schedule and activity.

Does Singapore Airlines' new list of destinations for June and July affect you positively? Let us know if you have plans to fly with the airline in the coming weeks by leaving a comment.