Vaccinated travel lanes (VTLs) with Indonesia and India, two of Changi Airport’s top three markets, can give a big lift to businesses and people here, but headwinds will come from continued travel curbs and cost concerns.
Observers The Straits Times spoke to yesterday said Indonesia and India are key trading partners for Singapore and contribute greatly to tourism receipts here.
But even as the two VTLs are slated to begin from Nov 29, the need for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests – before flying out and on arrival – could put off cost-conscious travellers, who comprise the bulk of passengers on these routes.
A PCR test costs over $120 here.
The arrangement with Indonesia is also one way – letting visitors from that country into Singapore without quarantine while locking travellers from the Republic out.
For those eyeing a trip to India, there are currently no commercial flights between Changi Airport and the country, although both nations are in talks to resume services.
“We are still a long way from pre-pandemic times,” CIMB private banking economist Song Seng Wun said.
This story is from the November 17, 2021 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the November 17, 2021 edition of The Straits Times.
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