Singapore LCCs: growth slows and penetration rate falls as Jetstar Asia & Tigerair incur losses

Singapore has seen traffic growth slow significantly over the last year driven by challenges in its previously booming short-haul market. Total passenger traffic at Singapore Changi grew by only 5% in 2013, ending a three-year run of double digit growth, and is on pace to grow by less than 2% in 2014.

Profitability in the Singapore market meanwhile has tumbled driven by losses at Singapore's three LCCs - Tigerair Singapore, Jetstar Asia and Scoot. Singapore Airlines regional subsidiary SilkAir also has seen profits slide as it has been impacted by the overcapacity and intense competition in Singapore's short-haul market.

Tigerair, Jetstar Asia and SilkAir have all responded by halting or slowing down expansion. Singapore's LCC penetration rate has started to slip, ending a decade of steady gains.