Singapore Airlines (SIA) has confirmed a limited number of two-way transit channels will begin operation from Tuesday 23 June, allowing SIA and SilkAir customers to book return journeys between approved destinations.
Similar to the one-way transit channels announced a fortnight ago, the two-way transit channel will be subject to a number of requirements and restrictions, including:
- Connections must be no longer than 48 hours.
- Customers can only travel on SIA Group (Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot) flights and cannot connect to other carriers once in Singapore.
- Customers can only travel between countries on the approved list.
- Customers must meet all departing and arriving Government requirements and restrictions.
A total of 14 cities across six countries and territories are on the approved list, including the previously announced Australian cities of Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, as well as New Zealand cities, Auckland and Christchurch.
Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Mr. Philip Goh said the expansion of transit channels to two-way transit between selected points would provide more opportunities for Australians and New Zealanders who needs to travel to do so, including those overseas who are returning home.
“These channels are not about booking an overseas holiday as Australia and New Zealand’s borders remain closed to non-citizens,” Mr Goh said.
“However, they do provide an ability for Aussies and Kiwis who are currently overseas in the approved markets in China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea to travel with the Singapore Airlines Group transiting through Changi Airport and return home in a Covid-safe manner.
“They also allow those that have an urgent need to travel, to do so.
“This is another small, and welcome, step in our journey towards recovery.
“Customers who wish to book a flight should ensure they review all of the transit and travel requirements, including whether they can legally depart and arrive at their destinations.”
For the latest flight schedules, please refer here.
As part of the approval, customers will be allowed to transfer on flights between any airline within the SIA Group. However, transfers to and from flights operated by other airlines will not be permitted.
Customers should also ensure they meet the entry requirements for their final destination, as well as the departure and/or arrival requirements from Australia and New Zealand. These requirements can be sourced from:
Australia:
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/leaving-australia
https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/coming-australia
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/
New Zealand:
https://safetravel.govt.nz/covid-19-coronavirus
https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/covid-19/border-closures-and-exceptions
The list of approved two-way transit channel destinations is below:
| Country | City | Airline |
| Australia | Adelaide | Singapore Airlines |
| Brisbane | Singapore Airlines | |
| Melbourne | Singapore Airlines | |
| Perth | Scoot | |
| Sydney | Singapore Airlines | |
| China | Chongqing | SilkAir |
| Guangzhou | Scoot | |
| Shanghai | Singapore Airlines | |
| Hong Kong SAR, China | Hong Kong | Singapore Airlines, Scoot |
| Japan | Osaka | Singapore Airlines |
| Tokyo | Singapore Airlines | |
| South Korea | Seoul | Singapore Airlines |
| New Zealand | Auckland | Singapore Airlines |
| Christchurch | Singapore Airlines |
Return Flights
Eligible customers may book a return flight only if both the point of origin and the final destination are in the list of cities approved for transit through Singapore.
For example, customers may book a return flight for Tokyo (NRT) – Singapore – Sydney since both Tokyo (NRT) and Sydney are among the list of departure cities for transit flights.
However, customers may only book a one-way outbound journey from Sydney – Singapore – Copenhagen but not a return since Copenhagen is not among the list of departure cities for transit flights.
Booking a Flight
Customers should book the full journey on one ticket, instead of splitting it up into separate tickets, to comply with regulatory requirements during this period. They should also ensure they meet the entry and departure requirements for their final destination.
Please note that transfers in Singapore are only allowed on flights between airlines within the SIA Group (Singapore Airlines, SilkAir and Scoot). Transfers to and from flights operated by other airlines are currently not permitted.
Seat Selection
Please note there may be limited or no seat selection during the booking phase to meet regulatory requirements. Advance pre-paid seat selection has also been temporarily suspended for new bookings.
Some customers may have their seats reassigned closer to the departure date. Those who bought prepaid seats and have been reassigned to a different seat will have their payment refunded. An email notification will be sent to these customers once the refund has been processed.
Customers who are unable to select a seat will be assigned one.
All customers may view their confirmed seats when checking in online. They will not be able to select seats or make any changes 48 hours before their flight.
Transit at Singapore Changi Airport
For more information on the transit journey, please visit this link.
In line with regulatory requirements, transit and non-transit passengers will be kept apart at Changi Airport. This is to ensure the health and safety of our customers and staff.
Our ground staff will welcome Singapore Airlines and SilkAir customers transiting through Changi Airport upon their arrival. Transit customers will be issued with a wristband, which indicates their access to the designated transit holding area. They should not remove the wristband throughout the time they are in the transit holding area.
If the transit time is less than 75 minutes, customers will be ushered directly to their boarding gate.
For transit times of more than 75 minutes, they will be ushered to a designated transit holding area at their departure terminal before boarding their connecting flight. Customers will not be able to make any stops along the way, and will have to stay within the transit holding area at all time.
Facilities in the transit holding area will include food kiosks, vending machines, restrooms, a smoking room, and a snooze corner. Complimentary WiFi is also available.
PPS Club members, Suites, First Class and Business Class transit passengers will not have access to the SilverKris Lounge (Business Class) at Changi Airport Terminal 3 due to the regulatory requirements. They will be invited to a premium waiting area in the transit holding area instead. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided at this premium waiting area.
When it is time to board, transit passengers will be ushered in groups from the transit holding area directly to the boarding gate. They will be invited to board the aircraft first, followed by non-transit passengers.
Transit passengers may wish to note that Aerotel Singapore, the transit hotel at Changi Airport Terminal 1, is now open for bookings. Ambassador Transit Hotel at Terminal 3 is temporarily closed.
Passengers with a hotel booking will first be ushered to airport’s transit holding area for verification checks. They will be guided to the transit hotel only after the checks have been completed. They must strictly remain in the hotel throughout their stay. Upon checking out from the hotel, they will be ushered to the transit holding area before their connecting flight.
On Board
There will be dedicated seating zones on board the aircraft to separate the transit and non-transit passengers. Passengers should remain in their designated zone throughout the flight. Upon arrival, non-transit passengers will disembark first followed by transit passengers.
Singapore Airlines is committed to the well-being of our customers and has precautionary measures in place to ensure their health and safety throughout their journey. More details can be found here.
For Covid-19 related travel information, please visit our dedicated Information Centre.
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