Singapore Airlines approved for transit flights from Australia and NZ

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir customers will be able to transit through Singapore’s Changi Airport on a one-way basis from Australia and New Zealand to the SIA Group’s global network from 11 June 2020. This follows on from news that Singapore Airlines will be ramping up flights on many routes from this week.

The one-way transit channel will allow those who wish to return home from Australia or New Zealand to do so, in a Covid-safe manner, both on board Singapore Airlines aircraft and while in transit at Changi Airport.

Customers will be able to transit in Changi via SIA flights departing from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, and Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand. Transit will also be available via the Scoot flights departing from Perth, Australia.

The one-way transit channel will be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions. Connections must be no longer than 48 hours. Additionally, customers can only travel on Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot flights, and cannot connect to other carriers once in Singapore. Those looking to take advantage of the transit option must also meet all departing and arriving Government requirements and restrictions.

Singapore Airlines has welcomed the opening of the one-way transit channel, but cautioned it is a small step in a long and gradual process before international travel can resume without restrictions.

A Singapore Airlines spokesman stated that “The decision to allow customers travelling from Australia and New Zealand to destinations in the current SIA Group network via transiting through Singapore’s Changi Airport, is a small but welcome step in our journey towards recovery,”.

However, he cautioned that Government travel restrictions in Australia and New Zealand as well as in many other countries remain in place, and opening of limited one-way transit is not a sign that international travel is back to normal.