Changi Airport reports modest Q3 passenger growth and stronger cargo traffic

Singapore Changi Airport processed 17.4 million passengers between July and September, a 0.4% rise on the same quarter a year earlier. Aircraft movements for the period reached 93,900 landings and take-offs, up 2.5%.

Europe, Northeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific were the main sources of passenger growth. China, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia and India made up the five largest markets, and among the top ten Vietnam posted the sharpest year-on-year increase at 20.5%, with China up 10.4%.

The busiest routes were Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Denpasar on Bali, Bangkok and Shanghai. Of the ten busiest sectors, Tokyo and Melbourne grew fastest, at 5.2% and 5.1% respectively.

Cargo throughput for the quarter came to 574,000 tonnes, 8% more than a year earlier. The airport group said the increase reflected healthy export and import flows, particularly shipments of semiconductors and electronics linked to AI. China, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong and India were the largest cargo markets.

Lim Ching Kiat, the group's executive vice president for air hub and cargo development, said demand held up in the quarter, led by Europe and Northeast Asia. He said airlines are still working through higher fuel costs and other operating pressures, and that the airport is focused on strengthening connectivity and developing new routes.

Four passenger carriers joined Changi during the quarter, among them Oman Air, which began four weekly flights to Muscat, and Sun PhuQuoc Airways, which launched a daily service to Phu Quoc in Vietnam.