[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]An old saying notes that “we plan God laughs.” Imagine the all-mighty cracking up, a few months back when he heard people outlining their plans to travel. Indulging somewhere in Europe might have been one option while chilling in the Maldives a close second. Sitting at home and being stuck without friends and family during a pandemic would not have made it to the top 10.

The global pandemic came as a rude shock to the entire community of tourists, business travellers as well as millions of people who could not return home. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) expects the tourism industry’s revenue to fall by a minimum of US$1.2 trillion due to this pandemic.

The tide turns, and positive developments have started to gain momentum. The welcoming respite takes the form of various airlines restarting domestic and international routes.

Singapore’s Changi airport is gradually scaling up and now has a large number of weekly flights travelling to many locations. June statistics show some positive trends while July plans to be much better.

International travel to resume soon

Here’s a country-wise rundown of the flights and their destinations in July 2020:

South-East Asia:A total of 96 weekly flights will be flying out of Singapore via Singapore Airlines, Silk Air, Jet Star, Scoot and Air Asia can now carry passengers to major cities across South East Asia.

1. Malaysia: While non-nationals and non-residents are barred from entering the country, Malaysian nationals are exempted. A total of 73 weekly flights from Malaysia will take passengers to the cities of Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Look out for flights from Jet Star, Silk Air, Scoot, Singapore Airlines and Air Asia.
2. Thailand: Given the government restrictions, flights arriving from Bangkok will not be allowed to carry passengers from Singapore to Bangkok. There will be 12 weekly flights coming into Singapore via Jet Star, Air Asia and Singapore Airlines.
3. Indonesia: While tourists are still not allowed entry into Indonesia there will be 13 weekly flights from Singapore flying to the cities of Jakarta, Medan and Surabaya via Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Silk Air and Garuda Indonesia.
4. Philippines: Though the Philippines has closed its borders for foreigners, Jetstar, Silk Air, Singapore Airlines and Philippine Airlines will continue to fly to the cities of Manila and Cebu with a total of 9 weekly flights.
5. Vietnam: Vietnam has opened borders for business managers, highly-skilled workers as well as for those on diplomatic or official duty. Singapore Airlines will run two weekly flights to Ho Chi Minh City and one weekly flight to Hanoi. However, the national carrier Vietnam Airlines is yet to open operations.

Far East Asia: A total of 45 weekly flights will be flying out of Singapore via Singapore Airlines, ANA, Japan Airlines, Asiana, Korean Air, Scoot, China Airlines, Eva Air, China Southern, Juneyao Airlines, Cathay Pacific and United Airlines.

Japan: The visa exemption for Singaporeans has been suspended. However, the Singapore-Tokyo sector will have eight weekly flights with Singapore Airlines, ANA and Japan Airlines. Singapore Airlines will also service Osaka with 1 flight every week.

South Korea: South Korea has temporarily halted visa-free entry to 90 nationalities, including Singaporeans. For now, 6 weekly flights will operate via Singapore Airlines, Asiana and Korean Air.

Taipei: With limited government restrictions, five weekly flights will be operating via Scoot, China Airlines and Eva Air.

China: Entry for foreign nationals is prohibited in China for now. For citizens and visa holders, seven weekly flights will run across the cities of Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Chongqing via Scoot, Silk Air, Singapore Airlines, Air China, China Southern and Juneyao Airlines.

Hong Kong: Will have 18 weekly flights with Scoot, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and United Airlines. United Airlines will service the same flight to San Francisco from Hong Kong.

Australia and New Zealand: A total of 16 weekly flights will be flying out of Singapore via Singapore Airlines and Scoot.

For Australian nationals only: Fifteen weekly flights across the cities of Sydney, Perth, Auckland, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Melbourne along with 1 flight to New Zealand across Christ Church via Singapore Airlines and Scoot.

Europe: A total of 36 weekly flights will be flying out of Singapore to major cities in Europe. London will see seven weekly flights via Singapore Airlines and British Airways; Air France will operate 2 weekly flights to Paris, Singapore Airlines will continue six weekly flights to Frankfurt and one weekly flight each to Copenhagen and Barcelona. There will also be ten weekly flights to Zurich through Singapore Airlines and Swiss Airways and nine weekly flights to Amsterdam via Singapore Airlines and KLM

Middle East: A total of 13 weekly flights will be flying out of Singapore via Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways to Istanbul, Doha and Abu Dhabi. Emirates is running 4 weekly flights to Dubai.

America: Besides the hoping flight by United Airlines (Singapore, Hong Kong, San Francisco) Los Angeles will be serviced via three weekly flights on Singapore Airlines.

** The starting dates for these weekly frequencies will vary by respective Airlines. Please refer to the flight schedules on the official Airline websites. ◼[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Subscribe to the latest edition now by clicking here.

© This article was first published online in July 2020 – World Travel Magazine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]