Forum: More attention needed on increasing cost of air travel

When I read the article “Airfares will take longer than expected to return to normal levels, says global airline body” (June 8), I found myself reflecting on what this means for someone in my position – a Singaporean who flies regularly for work and family.

I appreciate that the challenges facing the aviation industry are real. Supply chain disruptions, delayed aircraft deliveries and surging post-pandemic demand are not excuses. They are genuine structural pressures.

But precisely because these pressures may persist for some time, I think it is worth having a more focused conversation about what Singapore can do to cushion the impact on its residents.

Unlike most countries, Singapore has no land borders. For many of us, flying is not discretionary; it is how we stay connected to family, fulfil work commitments, and participate in the region. This makes us more vulnerable than most to prolonged fare increases, and I believe that vulnerability deserves specific policy attention.

There are meaningful questions worth asking. Are there ways to reduce airport charges that feed into ticket prices? Can more be done to encourage competition on key routes? How do we ensure that travellers, not just airlines, share in the benefits when conditions eventually improve?

I urge the authorities to study this issue and share their findings with the public. Singaporeans who depend on air travel deserve to know that someone is looking out for them, and that the answer is not simply to wait and hope that global conditions improve on their own.

K.B. Ryan Joshua Mahindapala