HK travel bubble to help Singapore aviation take off when time's right

Singapore

SINGAPORE'S air travel bubble with Hong Kong is unlikely to make an impact on the tourism sector for now, but the significance of the arrangement is in getting Singapore ready to quickly start its air hub positioning when all the "chess pieces" are in place.

Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung announced at the media conference on Wednesday the launch of the travel bubble on Nov 22. He said this may start small but it is an important step forward. He added that if Singapore is able to demonstrate safe travel with its partners, "we can strengthen and entrench our aviation hub status".

For those countries that have not reciprocated Singapore's reopening of borders, he thinks it is nevertheless important that the Republic has in place the mechanism and be ready for travel to resume.

Mr Ong said: "Because if we put the chess pieces in place, then one day vaccines arrive or there's a good way to control the epidemic, and travel starts again. At least our basic position is preserved, and we have put the necessary mechanisms in place, we can get off to a quick start. That is the purpose."

Singapore's first air travel bubble with Hong Kong marks a milestone for the two aviation hubs, after the novel coronavirus hit international travel as countries keep their borders closed or impose quarantine to stem the virus spread.

Allowing at most 200 travellers per flight a day - before designated flights by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Cathay Pacific increase to two daily from Dec 7 - under the travel bubble is unlikely to move the needle for Singapore's tourism, industry practitioners said. But it's a good start and a learning opportunity for Singapore.

Kevin Cheong, chairman of the Association of Singapore Attractions (ASA), told The Business Times: "What's worse than zero? What can be worse than now?... We need to start somewhere... We need to take the baby step."

Under the bilateral travel arrangement, travellers are required to have been in either Hong Kong or Singapore for a 14-day period before they make the journey.

Holders of work permits or S-passes issued by Singapore working in the construction, marine shipyard or process sectors are excluded from travelling under the bubble. This is a condition imposed by the Chinese special administrative region, given the earlier high incidence rate at foreign workers' dormitories here.

The travel bubble will be suspended for two weeks if the seven-day moving average of the daily number of unlinked novel coronavirus cases is more than five in either city. If the moving-average on the last day of the suspension period is five or fewer, the bubble will resume.

Foreign travellers from Hong Kong will need to apply for an Air Travel Pass between seven and 30 calendar days before entering Singapore.

And those bound for either city must take a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test within 72 hours before departure and obtain a negative test result. Children aged 12 or younger travelling from Hong Kong are exempted from this requirement. In addition, those arriving in Hong Kong are required to take another PCR test upon arrival at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). Travellers must book and pay HK$499 (S$86.60) for this test before leaving Singapore. They must remain in HKIA for about four hours for their test results.

There is no testing on arrival required for Hong Kong travellers to Singapore, however. Mr Ong said the arrangement is not designed to be symmetrical and there will be flexibility within own territories.

Both SIA and Cathay Pacific told BT that passengers who tested positive pre-departure could request a refund for the unused portion of their tickets. Cathay Pacific's dedicated Webpage on the air travel bubble went live shortly after both governments announced the launch date.

Steven Ler, president of National Association of Travel Agents Singapore, said travellers will understand that the coronavirus tests are necessary for security and confidence in travelling, as he noted that there will be two such tests costing about S$287 for the round trip to Hong Kong. There is possibly a third test if the one at HKIA is taken more than 72 hours before returning to Singapore.

According to him, airfares are also likely to be higher as pent-up demand may outstrip supply. BT has earlier reported that airfares shot up overnight after the travel bubble was announced in mid-October and prices further rose by up to 40 per cent within a fortnight.

Jeremiah Wong, Chan Brothers Travel's senior marketing communications manager, said the travel agent has observed considerable enquiries and interest since the confirmation of the planned air travel bubble. This is because Hong Kong is a popular short getaway for year-end holidays and also because of the appeal of its cuisine, shopping and easy accessibility. "Our outbound programmes for Hong Kong are ever ready... We have also been working closely with our partners to ensure competitive pricing and other safe travel requirements," added Mr Wong.

ASA's Dr Cheong said local tourist attractions are prepared to receive international visitors, with measures including split-team operations and taking temperature already in place.

Singapore Hotel Association's 160 member hotels, too, "are eager and well-prepared" to welcome guests from Hong Kong and other places when more travel bubbles are announced, said its president Kwee Wei-Lin. "Through this collaborative effort, we are confident that Singapore's tourism industry will recover in a safe and responsible manner."

To celebrate the launch, both SIA and Cathay Pacific will be offering a month-long special menu of both cities' popular local dishes, starting from Nov 22.

READ MORE: Singapore's travel easing is a risk game