Chart of the day: This graph illustrates Changi’s losing battle in fight for long-haul fliers

Will Singapore cease to be a transport hub?

Passengers flying to Europe and Oceania are increasingly bypassing Changi in favor of low-cost Asian and Mideast carriers, a study by Barclays research revealed.

The study showed that Changi’s passenger volume for long-haul routes has steadily declined in the past thirteen years.

According to Barclays, “Passenger volumes at Changi Airport have been more volatile on the long-haul routes, such as those to North America, than on the short-haul routes, such as those to Southeast Asia, due to higher average ticket prices, in our view.”

Here’s more from the report: 

Demand for air travel to and from Singapore depends on the global economy given the citystate’s position as an international trading and financial hub.

Passengers on Asian routes gained a greater share in the passenger mix at Changi Airport at the expense of smaller shares for the long-haul routes, such as those to Oceania, Europe and North America, in the past 10 years.

This was driven the development of low-cost carriers in Asia and the Mideast carriers bypassing Singapore on the Kangaroo route, in our opinion.