Singapore Airlines Gets Approval For One-way Transit Flights From Australia And New Zealand

Singapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir customers will be able to transit through Singapore's Changi Airport on a one-way basis from Australia and New Zealand to the SIA Group's global network from 11 June 2020.

The one-way transit channel will be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including:

• Connections must be no longer than 48 hours.
• Customers can only travel on SIA Group (Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot) flights and cannot connect to other carriers once in Singapore.
• Customers must meet all departing and arriving Government requirements and restrictions.

Customers will only be able to transit in Changi via SIA flights departing from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, and Auckland and Christchurch in New Zealand. Transit will also be available via the Scoot flights departing from Perth, Australia.

Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Mr Philip Goh, welcomed the opening of the one-way transit channel, but cautioned it is a small step in a long and gradual process before international travel can resume without restrictions.

"The decision to allow customers travelling from Australia and New Zealand to destinations in the current SIA Group network via transiting through Singapore's Changi Airport, is a small but welcome step in our journey towards recovery," Mr Goh said.

"It is important to remember that Government travel restrictions in Australia and New Zealand as well as in many other countries remain in place, and opening of limited one-way transit is not a sign that international travel is back to normal.

"The one-way transit channel will allow those who wish to return home from Australia or New Zealand to do so, in a Covid-safe manner, both on board our aircraft and while in transit at Changi Airport.

"Customers who wish to book a flight should ensure they review all of the transit and travel requirements, including whether they can legally depart Australia or New Zealand and whether they will be allowed entry at their country of arrival.

"We know that news of such transit channels will give people cause for excitement and hope. However, these feelings must be tempered at the current time with an understanding that we are still some time away from even considering being able to book an overseas holiday."

For the latest flight schedules, please refer here.

As part of the approval, customers will be allowed to transfer on flights between any airline within the SIA Group. However, transfers to and from flights operated by other airlines will not be permitted.

Customers should also ensure that they meet the entry requirements for their final destination, as well as the departure requirements from Australia and New Zealand. These requirements can be sourced from:

Australia:

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia

https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/

New Zealand:

https://safetravel.govt.nz/covid-19-coronavirus

https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/border-closures-and-exceptions

In line with regulatory requirements, transit passengers will be kept apart from non-transit passengers at Singapore Changi Airport and during the flights. This is to ensure the health and safety of all customers and staff.

Seat Selection

To meet the requirements on the segregation of transit and non-transit passengers, flights may have limited or no seat selection available during the booking phase. Advance pre-paid seat selection has also been temporarily suspended for new bookings.

To adhere to regulatory requirements, some customers may have their seats reassigned closer to the departure date. Those who purchased prepaid seats and have been reassigned to a different seat will have their payment refunded.

Customers who are unable to select a seat will be assigned one.

All customers may view their confirmed seats when checking in online. They will not be able to select seats or make any changes 48 hours before their flight.

During Transit Through Singapore

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir customers transiting through Changi Airport will be welcomed by our ground staff on arrival. They will be issued with a wristband, which indicates their access to the designated transit holding area. They should not remove the wristband throughout the time they are in the transit holding area.

If the transit time is less than 75 minutes, customers will be ushered directly to their boarding gate.

For transit times of more than 75 minutes, they will be ushered to a designated transit holding area at their departure terminal before boarding their connecting flight. Customers will not be able to make any stops along the way, and must stay within the transit holding area at all times. This is to ensure that transit and non-transit passengers are kept apart.

Facilities in the transit holding area will include food kiosks, vending machines, restrooms, a smoking room, and a snooze corner. Complimentary WiFi is also available.

PPS Club members, Suites, First Class and Business Class transit passengers will be invited to a premium waiting area as they will not have access to the SilverKris Lounge (Business Class) at Changi Airport Terminal 3 due to the regulatory requirements. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided at the premium waiting area.

All transit hotels at Changi Airport are temporarily closed.

Inflight and On Arrival

To ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines, and to uphold our commitment to maintaining the health and safety of our customer and crew, all flights will follow a set boarding sequence to maintain separation between transit passengers and non-transit passengers.

At Changi Airport, transit passengers will be ushered in groups from the transit holding area directly to the boarding gate. They will be invited to board the aircraft first, followed by non-transit passengers.

Every flight will have dedicated seating zones on board to keep the two groups of passengers apart. Passengers will be required to remain in their designated zone throughout the flight.

Upon arrival, non-transit passengers will disembark first, followed by transit passengers.

Singapore Airlines is committed to the well-being of our customers and has implemented a suite of precautionary measures to ensure their health and safety throughout their journey. More details can be found here.

For more information on the transit journey, please visit https://bit.ly/2MzOydb.

For Covid-19 related travel information, please visit our dedicated Information Centre.