Travellers undeterred by airfare spikes amid pent-up demand for trips abroad

A round-trip economy class flight to London on Singapore Airlines (SIA) cost $1,800 before the pandemic began in early 2020.

- Clement Yong and Ning Chionh

Travellers can now expect to pay about 80 per cent more for their flight to the British capital, with SIA tickets for a round trip to London from June 20 to July 10 going for about $3,200, as at this week.

To fly to Seoul for the same period, it will cost $1,380. Nearer to home, a round trip to Bangkok next month can cost as much as $384 on the national carrier.

Other airlines have also raised their fares. Around trip from Singapore to New York on Japan Airlines last August was $1,300, but a similar flight from June 20 to July 10 will now set travellers back between $2,100 and $2,500.

As Singapore fully reopens its borders, dropping all need for pre-departure and on-arrival tests as well as quarantine requirements for the fully vaccinated, those looking to satisfy their wanderlust are finding that fares are surging to new highs.

But higher prices have not deterred many travellers who have been stuck at home for about two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Even before the traditional midyear holiday season, passenger volumes have risen. Last month saw passenger volume at Changi Airport doubling from March to 40 per cent of 2019 levels - a figure likely to go up in the coming months.

SIA said it is seeing strong demand for both leisure and business travel across all its cabin classes.

Budget carrier Scoot also pointed to “pent-up demand” and “an increase in travel loads”.