Passenger numbers at Changi Airport down 0.9% in Q1

PASSENGER movements at Changi Airport slid 0.9 per cent to 13.1 million in the first quarter of this year, compared with the same period last year, on the back of softer traffic across most regions.

Aircraft movements declined 2.5 per cent to 84,060, but cargo was in positive territory with air-freight movements increasing 0.8 per cent to 450,400 tonnes.

While traffic was weaker across most regions, South Asia traffic rose 4.7 per cent during the quarter compared with a year earlier.

For March alone, the number of passengers edged up 0.9 per cent year on year to 4.54 million. However, the number of take-offs and landings was 1.2 per cent lower at 28,800, while cargo movements were also weaker, sliding 4.2 per cent to 162,700 tonnes.

"During the month, traffic to and from Southwest Pacific and South Asia registered growths of 8 per cent and 4.9 per cent respectively," said airport operator Changi Airport Group.

It went on to add: "Passenger traffic to and from Thailand continued to rise, increasing 20 per cent over the previous year with Bangkok traffic soaring 30 per cent. China traffic rose an encouraging 3.4 per cent."