Singapore’s non-transit norm hits travellers to Far East, US

Singapore’s non-transit norm hits travellers to Far East, US

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: 27.11.2021

Travellers from Chennai to the far-east and the US have been affected as Singapore is yet to allow transit for other countries. Due to this, Dubai and Doha are the only option transit options, resulting in fewer flights and pricey tickets.

Singapore was a popular transit hub for travellers from Chennai and other parts of the state to fly to Hong Kong, China, South Korea, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and the US.

Travellers to the US have to spend ₹1.5lakh to ₹3lakh one-way to fly via Dubai and Doha because there are fewer flights to the Middle East.

Chennai-Dubai air fares continue to remain high as flights are full for the coming week. The traffic on this route is high because people are flying to UAE for holiday and business. Economy class return fare has touched ₹60,000 to ₹70,000 to Dubai. The usual fare was ₹19,000.

Singapore is allowing airlines to bring passengers only to the country and not for transit. Travel and tour operators have urged them to allow transit facility too.

Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said, “There is hope that Singapore may allow transit next month as India has announced resumption of scheduled international flights from December 15.” As there is already a Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) agreement between India and Singapore, the destination will be treated as a safe country. This means full schedules and full capacity flights may be operated. They also can allow people to transit via Singapore, he said.

S Bhaskar of Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) said that Singapore is a popular transit hub and there was patronage for business class to destinations in the US on Singapore Airlines even though the fares were costlier than other carriers “The airlines should come forward to start more flights,” he said.

Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines have not resumed.

Bhaskar said that flights on Chennai-Dubai route are full. “People are booking business class because seats are not available in economy. The air fare is in the range of ₹70,000 for most of the days in December."

Singapore is allowing airlines to bring passengers only to the country and not for transit. Travel and tour operators have urged them to allow transit facility too