Jazmin Li
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Singapore's air hub status, with Changi Airport's passenger volume dropping to 1.5% of its usual number. The Singapore government has pledged to support the national carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Changi Airport Group (CAG) in reviving air travel. Changi Airport implemented several precautionary measures, including temperature screening, increased hand sanitiser stations, and safe management measures. However, in 2021, Changi Airport became Singapore's largest active COVID-19 cluster, with cases linked to airport workers and arriving passengers. While the airport remains open for air travel, new protocols have been introduced, including mandatory testing for passengers from high-risk countries and additional testing for airport workers in higher-risk roles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Singapore's Changi Airport Group (CAG) | Has faced financial losses due to the pandemic |
| Changi Airport | Has been Singapore's largest active cluster of COVID-19 cases |
| Changi Airport | Has implemented temperature screening for all travellers |
| Changi Airport | Has increased the number of hand sanitisers in terminals and Jewel from 160 to 1,200 |
| Changi Airport | Has shut down two passenger terminals since May 2020 |
| Changi Airport | Is operational at only 1.5% of its usual passenger volume |
| Changi Airport | Is operating only 6% of its usual passenger flights |
| Changi Airport | Has direct connections to only 49 points globally |
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What You'll Learn
Changi Airport's safety measures
Changi Airport is an important gateway connecting Singapore to the world. To ensure it remains operational, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) has implemented several measures to safeguard the health of airport workers, passengers, and visitors.
One of the key measures is the introduction of temperature screening for all travellers. Initially, in January 2020, temperature checks were implemented for passengers arriving from Wuhan, and later extended to all travellers from China. CAG also advises its staff to remain vigilant, practice good personal hygiene, and take leave if they feel unwell.
To enhance convenience and accessibility, the number of hand sanitisers available in the terminals and Jewel has been significantly increased from about 160 to more than 1,200.
In addition, Changi Airport has suspended terminals 2 and 4 since May 2020, and Terminal 3 Basement 2 was also closed to the public in May 2021 as a safety precaution. The airport has also faced a significant decrease in passenger volume and flights, operating at only 1.5% of its usual passenger volume and 6% of the usual flights.
The airport continues to adapt and implement new measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals passing through its facilities.
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Singapore's border reopening plans
Singapore has been taking steps to ensure the safety of its airport staff, passengers, and visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Changi Airport, a crucial gateway connecting Singapore to the world, has implemented various precautionary measures, including increased hand sanitiser stations and temperature screening for all travellers from China.
Singapore has also been actively working towards reopening its borders safely and steadily. As of March 2024, Singapore is open to 30 countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States, and has established travel agreements with these nations. The country plans to lift its Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) system and allow entry to all fully vaccinated visitors worldwide, indicating a shift from a selected country approach to a broader one.
Singapore's transport minister, Ong Ye Kung, emphasised the importance of reviving Singapore's air hub status, recognising the deep crisis faced by the aviation industry during the pandemic. The government has pledged its support to the national carrier, Singapore Airlines (SIA), and the Changi Airport Group (CAG), aiming for a gradual reopening that prioritises collective safety.
In December 2020, Singapore and Johor discussed plans to reopen their land borders, acknowledging the impact of border closures on individuals and economies. They agreed on the importance of a careful and progressive restoration of cross-border travel, with a priority on safeguarding public health.
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Singapore Airlines' financial losses
Changi Airport in Singapore has implemented several measures to keep its staff, passengers, and visitors safe from the coronavirus. These include increasing the number of hand sanitizers in the terminals and Jewel from about 160 to more than 1,200, and performing temperature screening for all guests entering the airport.
The Singapore government has also pledged its support to the national carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) and the Changi Airport Group (CAG) as they navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic. Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung emphasized the importance of reviving Singapore's air hub status and committed to a safe and steady reopening of the country's borders.
Singapore Airlines has incurred significant financial losses due to the pandemic. In what was described as the "toughest year in its history," the airline group reported a record S$4.3 billion ($3.2 billion) full-year net loss. This substantial loss can be attributed to the overall decline in global air travel, which resulted in a decrease in passenger volume and the suspension of layovers and flights to specific locations.
The pandemic's impact on Singapore Airlines was evident as early as 2020, when the airline announced the suspension of layovers for cabin crew and pilots to Beijing and Shanghai from January 30. Additionally, Singapore Airlines' decision to allow passengers from certain Australian and New Zealand cities to transit through Changi Airport in June 2020 reflected the evolving nature of travel restrictions during the pandemic.
The financial losses experienced by Singapore Airlines are not unique, as the airline industry as a whole has faced significant challenges due to the pandemic. The temporary closure of Heathrow Airport in 2025 due to an electrical fire caused widespread disruptions, affecting numerous airlines and resulting in potential losses of hundreds of millions of dollars for the industry.
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Singapore's air hub status
Singapore's Changi Airport is an important gateway to the world, facilitating the movement of people and goods. As such, it is vital for the airport to remain operational at all times, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Singapore government has pledged to support its national carrier, Singapore Airlines (SIA), and the Changi Airport Group (CAG) through the crisis, as it works towards a safe and steady reopening of its borders. Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung has made reviving Singapore's air hub status a national priority, noting that the aviation industry is facing a deep crisis due to the pandemic. Changi Airport has seen a significant drop in passenger volume and flight operations, and has had to shut down several passenger terminals.
To ensure the airport remains open, the CAG has implemented several precautionary measures to safeguard the health of airport workers, passengers, and visitors. These include increasing the number of hand sanitisers available in the terminals and Jewel from about 160 to more than 1,200, as well as conducting temperature screening for guests entering certain areas. The CAG advises members of the airport community to remain vigilant, practise good personal hygiene, and to take leave from work if they feel unwell.
Singapore has also implemented various travel advisories and restrictions throughout the pandemic to control the spread of the virus. For example, in 2020, Singapore Airlines suspended layovers for cabin crew and pilots to Beijing and Shanghai, and the National Environment Agency released guidelines on disinfecting homes with coronavirus patients. In 2021, Changi Airport became Singapore's largest active cluster, with a growing number of COVID-19 infections linked to the airport. As a result, several terminals were closed to the public as an "added precaution".
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The impact of COVID-19 on airport workers
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on airport workers worldwide, affecting their livelihoods, health, and safety. The aviation industry has experienced a significant downturn, with a drastic reduction in air travel demand and subsequent financial losses. This has resulted in job insecurity and the implementation of cost-cutting measures by airlines and airports, threatening the jobs of tens of thousands of workers.
Airport workers have been on the front lines of the pandemic, facing an elevated risk of exposure to the virus due to their constant interaction with passengers and the nature of their work. A study on airport workers' risk perception and infection rates at El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, Colombia, found an incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection of 7.9% among the cohort. The study also revealed that those with longer commutes and those using public transportation had a higher risk of testing positive.
To address the health risks, airports have introduced various precautionary measures to safeguard workers, passengers, and visitors. For example, Singapore's Changi Airport Group (CAG) has implemented temperature screening for guests and advised staff to maintain good personal hygiene and stay home if unwell. The number of hand sanitizers available in terminals has also been significantly increased. Similarly, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) in the US has provided guidelines on cleaning and disinfecting aircraft.
The pandemic has also highlighted the need for a comprehensive plan to protect the jobs of airport workers. Unions have called for the extension of furlough schemes and the prevention of mass layoffs. For instance, in London, unions urged Heathrow Airport Limited to halt its plans to fire and rehire thousands of workers, and the London Assembly requested the Chancellor to outline a long-term strategy to safeguard jobs in the aviation industry.
As the industry navigates the challenges posed by COVID-19, airport workers remain vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic on their health, employment, and overall well-being. The recovery and support efforts of governments and aviation authorities will play a crucial role in mitigating these effects and shaping the future of the aviation industry.
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Frequently asked questions
Singapore Changi Airport has implemented several measures to ensure the safety of airport staff, passengers, and visitors. These include increasing the number of hand sanitizers in terminals and Jewel from about 160 to more than 1,200, and conducting temperature checks for all passengers. However, in 2021, the airport became Singapore's largest active cluster, with a growing number of COVID-19 infections.
The Singapore Changi Airport Group (CAG) has advised members of the airport community to remain vigilant, practice good personal hygiene, and take leave from work if they feel unwell. They have also implemented safe management measures and increased the frequency of COVID-19 testing for vaccinated frontline airport workers.
The coronavirus outbreak has significantly impacted the Singapore Changi Airport, resulting in a decline in passenger volume and flight operations. The airport has also had to shut down multiple terminals due to plunging passenger numbers. The outbreak has also affected the financial performance of the Changi Airport Group, with an 83% year-on-year plunge in passenger movement in 2020.
