Changi Airport a high-flier but faces dogfight from Hong Kong

SINGAPORE sits at one end of four of the world's 10 busiest international air routes, it has been revealed. This boosts the country's aspiration to be Asia's key aviation hub despite the economic downturn.

But experts said Changi faces tough competition from other airports in the region, especially from Hong Kong airport, which features in five of the top 10 routes.

The busiest route, based on last year's passenger numbers, is Hong Kong-Taipei. This is followed by Jakarta-Singapore.

Kuala Lumpur-Singapore, Hong Kong-Singapore and Bangkok-Singapore are also on the top 10 list.

The data compiled by the International Air Transport Association (Iata), which was presented at an industry conference last week, confirms Asia's dominance in global air travel.

All the top routes are flights within the Asia-Pacific.

Changi Airport Group spokesman Ivan Tan said the four cities - Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong and Bangkok - have been the airport's busiest routes for some time now.

Together, they account for more than a quarter of Changi's total traffic.

He and other experts expect numbers to go up.

This is unfolding as Asia develops and more people are able to afford air travel, especially with the proliferation of budget carriers and cheaper fares.

Alicia Seah, director of public relations and communications at Dynasty Travel, added: "Due to proximity and affordability, Jakarta, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong are top destinations for Singaporeans as well as expatriates residing here looking for short breaks, or meetings and convention venues."

The current global economic uncertainties may, in fact, encourage even more people to take shorter trips as "corporate budgets may be slashed and consumers' confidence is lowered", she went on.

Andrew Herdman, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said at the group's annual meeting in Manila last week that Asian airlines will continue to play an important role in shaping the future of the global aviation industry.

Large populations with rising household incomes in China, India and many South-east Asian countries are the driving force behind strong growth in the demand for air travel in the region, he noted.

Singapore is preparing for the growth with plans to open a fourth passenger terminal next year and a third runway by the early 2020s. In the longer term, there are also plans for Terminal 5 which could eventually be bigger than T1, 2 and 3 combined.

karam@sph.com.sg

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