Desk Report
Publish: 24 Mar 2022, 04:55 pm
Photo: Collected
Aviation
and travel-related shares in Singapore rose on Thursday (Mar 24) following news
that the country will reopen its borders to all fully vaccinated travellers
from Apr 1.
National
carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) was last seen at S$5.37 as of 3.07 pm, up 3.7
per cent or S$0.19, while its maintenance arm SIA Engineering gained 3.6 per
cent or S$0.08 to S$2.31.
Ground
handler SATS jumped 5 per cent, or S$0.20, to S$4.17.
Meanwhile,
hospitality group Genting Singapore rose 3.8 per cent, or S$0.30, to S$0.82.
Singapore
announced several key changes to its COVID-19 measures on Thursday, including
larger group sizes and making mask-wearing optional in outdoor settings from Mar
29, as part of what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong described as taking a
“decisive step forward” towards living with COVID-19.
Testing
and quarantine rules for travellers will also be drastically streamlined – a
move that will help reconnect Singapore with the world and reclaim the
country’s position as a business and aviation hub, Mr Lee said.
Under
the new vaccinated travel framework – where countries and regions will be
classified into either the general travel or the restricted category – all
fully vaccinated travellers, as well as children aged 12 and below, will be
able to enter Singapore with just a pre-departure COVID-19 test from 11.59pm on
Mar 31.
The
new simplified framework will replace the existing vaccinated travel lanes
(VTLs) and unilateral opening arrangements.
This
means that travellers will no longer need to apply for entry approvals or take
designated flights to enter Singapore quarantine-free. There will also be no
more quotas on the number of daily arrivals.
In a
media statement, SIA said the latest move “opens up” its entire network to all
eligible customers. Currently, SIA and Scoot, its budget arm, fly to 97
destinations in 34 countries from Singapore.
The
flag carrier said it will no longer designate specific VTL flights from Apr 1.
Those who are already booked on a VTL flight on or after Apr 1 may travel as
planned and need not make any changes to their bookings.
Travellers,
regardless of vaccination status, will be allowed to transit through Singapore
on almost all of its flights from Apr 1, as long as they meet the entry
requirements of their final destination.
“The
SIA Group welcomes the latest measures to simplify travel protocols for entry
into Singapore,” said a spokesperson, adding that the firm will continue to
closely monitor travel demand, and increase its capacity and services
accordingly.
Group
sizes doubled to 10 people, optional to wear masks outdoors as Singapore takes
'decisive step' in living with COVID-19
Qantas
Airways’ budget arm Jetstar, in its press release, said it is “heartened” by
the country’s latest announcement.
“The
easing of Singapore’s border measures, including the removal of VTLs and
on-arrival testing for vaccinated travellers, will ensure overseas travel is
more convenient, helping to restore customer confidence and boost international
travel demand,” said its chief executive Bara Pasupathi.
“This
marks an important milestone in the recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors
in Singapore.
Those
in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry also cheered
the latest announcement.
Mr
Richard Ireland, president of the Singapore Association of Convention &
Exhibition Organisers & Suppliers (SACEOS), said the industry had made use
of the downtime during the pandemic to transform their businesses, build new
capabilities, and create innovative solutions.
“SACEOS
will continue to work closely with the industry and Government to lead the way
in reimagining the format of MICE events, setting Singapore apart as the
world’s leading destination for safe international MICE events,” he added.
Mr
Poh Chi Chuan, executive director of exhibitions & conferences at the
Singapore Tourism Board, said: “Over the last two years, Singapore has safely
and progressively scaled up MICE events, allowing the global business community
to meet and exchange ideas in person.
“We
have secured a strong pipeline of events for 2022 and beyond, and are confident
that this will anchor Singapore’s position as a Global-Asia Node for MICE.”
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Topic : Aviation Singapore Airlines SIA COVID-19 Singapore
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