3 in 5 Singapore travellers rethinking travel plans over flight prices: Skyscanner report
Most remain certain about their ability to travel abroad in the next three months
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[SINGAPORE] Close to three in five (59 per cent) Singapore travellers said flight prices have made them reconsider their travel plans in 2026, according to global travel app Skyscanner.
Despite this, 60 per cent of Singapore travellers remain confident about their ability to travel abroad in the next three months, added Skyscanner’s Smarter Summer report, which surveyed 1,000 Singapore respondents from March to April and was released on Tuesday (Apr 28).
This comes although the Iran war has disrupted travel and aviation, leading to airspace closures in the Middle East region – a key transit hub between Asia and Europe – and higher flight prices amid elevated fuel costs.
The report found that 91 per cent of respondents in Singapore plan to travel to Europe in the summer, between July and August.
Moreover, only 35 per cent have yet to book their summer holidays but are actively looking, reflecting “sustained desire for travel despite ongoing uncertainty”.
Top challenges
A top hurdle to travel planning, cited by nearly one-third (32 per cent) of Singapore travellers, was the difficulty in finding affordable options that cater to their circumstances, Skyscanner noted.
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The time and effort required to research options and coordinate dates was cited as an obstacle by 24 per cent of respondents.
Decision paralysis due to uncertain plans or having too many options was cited by 22 per cent, while 18 per cent also said their travel plans were restricted by school holidays or other commitments.
One in four (25 per cent) Singapore travellers were unsure of which part of the July to August period had the cheapest flights, said Skyscanner.
The report identified the week of Aug 10 as offering the “best value” for flights.
Skyscanner added: “In a more changeable travel environment, checking live prices and staying flexible on where and when you travel can go a long way when it comes to finding better value.” This could include mixing and matching airlines and airports, it noted.
Holiday preferences
Bangkok remained the most popular summer destination for Singapore travellers, with the week of Aug 31 offering the best value for flights to the Thai capital at an average ticket price of S$164, said Skyscanner.
The report defines an average ticket price as the median fare, excluding promotional fares, for return economy flights departing between Jun 30 and Aug 31, based on flight redirect data from Jan 1 to Mar 1.
Over three-quarters (76 per cent) of Singapore travellers found it appealing to visit a destination that none of their friends, family or social media connections had visited before.
The sentiment was particularly salient among Gen Z Singapore travellers – with 83 per cent of them drawn to the idea.
Most Gen Z Singapore travellers also said that they would choose to visit a quieter, less-crowded destination this summer.
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