Singapore Changi Airport reported a 2.3% year-on-year increase in passenger movements for the first quarter of 2026, reaching 17.6 million. This growth was primarily driven by robust demand from North Asia and Europe, despite an 80% decline in traffic to the Middle East due to geopolitical tensions. Aircraft movements also rose by 1.4%, totalling 95,300 landings and take-offs.
China led Changi's top five markets, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and India. Notably, Vietnam and China showed the strongest growth among the top 10 markets, with increases of 26.5% and 17.7% respectively. The busiest city links included Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, with Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo experiencing the most significant growth.
Changi Airport handled 517,000 tonnes of airfreight in Q1 2026, marking a 7.6% increase from the previous year. The top air cargo markets were China, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and India. Lim Ching Kiat, Executive Vice President for Air Hub and Cargo Development, noted the resilience in travel demand, stating, “We were resilient and worked closely with our airline partners in response to evolving passenger demand and shifts in travel patterns.”
In response to Middle Eastern route cancellations, airlines introduced approximately 90 additional flights to cities such as Frankfurt, London, and Sydney. New services included Scoot's flights to Chiang Rai and Palembang, and Jetstar Airways' routes to Australia's Sunshine Coast and Newcastle. Additionally, Qantas Freight commenced a new freighter service, enhancing cargo capacity across Asia, Australia, and Europe
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