In a bid to revive its status as an air hub amid COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore may consider unilaterally opening up to passengers from certain countries or regions which have kept the virus under control, says newly minted Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung.
“We can proliferate Reciprocal Green Lanes for business travel and also expand them for general travel,” he said in his National Day Speech at the ministry here yesterday.
“Serving 14-days isolation is a major deterrent to travellers and we may have to consider replacing this with a rigorous testing regime,” he added.
Ong noted that health and economic considerations are not at odds, “we will find ways to revive our air hub and keep Singapore safe.”
Thus far, Singapore has Reciprocal Green Lane arrangements with China and Malaysia.
Ong said COVID-19 set Changi Airport back by at least 40 years, to 1981 when Terminal One first opened.
“In the early 1980s, many airlines had not decided to come to Changi. We went all out to secure airlines, including unilaterally opening up our skies to invite the carriers to come to Changi.
“Today, the airlines are here, and Changi has grown into a world-class airport,” he said.
But the challenge now is to restore passenger volume, while keeping virus transmission under control, said the minister.
“A good place to start are the countries and territories where the virus transmission risk profiles are similar to or better than ours. Including transfer-transit traffic, they account for about 40 per cent of our pre-COVID-19 passenger volumes,” he said.
Ong revealed that Changi Airport used to record over 1,000 aircraft movements a day, now it is about 150.
It was the 7th busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic, but have dropped to 50th, said the minister.
“Worse, we have no domestic air travel to fall back on,” he said, adding that Changi Airport has tried to bring back demand in various ways.
“Cargo planes are still using Changi, but they are only about 5.0 per cent of total flights pre COVID-19. We have started to serve transfer and transit passengers, but even at its peak, they accounted for at most a third of total Changi passenger traffic.
“Today we are serving only a trickle of that, at 400 passenger movements a day, or 150,000 a year, compared to our pre-COVID 19 volume of close to 20 million a year,” he said.
Bernama
Sat Aug 15 2020
Singapore may consider unilaterally opening up to passengers from certain countries or regions. - REUTERS
At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
While a full examination of the site has yet to take place, the group has already found many traces of killings.
The best and worst meat replacements for your health, your wallet and the planet - new research
The findings show that unprocessed plant-based foods, such as soybeans, peas and beans are best suited for replacing meat and dairy.
South Korea's Yoon impeached: Embittered survivor buckles under martial law backlash
The past year of Yoon's presidency has been heavily overshadowed by a scandal involving his wife
Cop-out on climate finance at COP29
It seems that saving the planet from an impending climate catastrophe does not figure in the priorities of developed countries.
Rethinking assessments: Finding balance between exams and holistic learning
Rethinking Assessments: Finding Balance Between Exams and Holistic Learning
Amid ashes of Assad family's mausoleum, Syrian rebels vow to erase their legacy
The new Syrian leadership is determined to remove any signs of the Assad legacy from public life.
Can South Koreans protect their democracy?
As a second bid to impeach Yoon Suk-yeol gathers steam, South Koreans show that democracys light still burns brightly in Seoul.
Shying from sex talk, Malaysia turns to tech in HIV/AIDS fight
Is Malaysia ready for an open discussion on sex and related issues, beyond the focus on abstinence as the sole way to prevent HIV/AIDS?
Brazil's Lula seen walking for first time since surgeries
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva underwent two operations in Sao Paulo's Sirio-Libanes Hospital to relieve and prevent bleeding in his skull.
France's Macron names veteran centrist ally Bayrou as prime minister
Francois Bayrou's top priority will be passing a special law to roll over the 2024 budget, with a nastier battle over 2025 legislation.
Google says it has cracked a quantum computing challenge with new chip
It solves a computing problem in five minutes that would take a classical computer more time than the history of the universe, Google says.
Singapore, Vietnam firms in talks for new undersea cables, sources say
A plan is being discussed to lay a cable linking Vietnam directly to Singapore, according to five sources involved or briefed on the matter.
Batu Puteh RCI not an act of revenge - PM
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says the narrative of vengeance should not be raised in the issue, especially by the opposition.
Four days of continuous rain expected in Kelantan, Terengganu from Dec 16 - MetMalaysia
MetMalaysia says that the Hulu Perak district in Perak will also experience similar weather conditions.
No official denial on donation from Saudi royals, says Najib
This absence of denial supports my genuine belief that the funds were legitimate donations, says Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.
Millions of Malaysians are inspired to #ThinkTwice with TikTok
The campaign educates on Community Guidelines, safety features, and fosters a kinder, more positive online community.
BWF World Tour Finals: Two Malaysians mixed doubles pairs advance to semi-finals
Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei and Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai advances to semi-finals of the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China.
Flash flood hits school in Saratok, 50 students and staff evacuated
Floodwaters submerge the school's hall and pre-school classes up to almost one metre deep.
What do we know about investigations faced by South Korean President Yoon?
Prosecutors, the police and Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials launches probes into Yoon Suk-yeol and the officials.
Google launches AI initiatives at Malaysia’s National AI Office opening
The initiatives aim to enhance productivity and policy-making through generative AI, said the tech giant in a press release today.