Changi passenger traffic in March down 2.5%

[SINGAPORE] Changi Airport handled 4.49 million passengers in March, down 2.5 per cent year on year, dragged down by a reduction in long-haul capacity and political tensions in Bangkok.

The number of aircraft movements rose 2.5 per cent to 29,100 landings and take-offs, said airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG), while the volume of cargo shipments processed slipped 1.3 per cent to 169,800 tonnes.

"Socio-political factors continued to weigh down on travel demand on some routes while a reduction in long-haul capacity, especially to the United States, has also impacted passenger movements," CAG said in its monthly update yesterday. "Thailand traffic decreased for the fifth consecutive month, with traffic to and from Bangkok declining by 29 per cent on-year in March."