For subscribers
Airfares surge as S’pore fully opens border, and pent-up travel demand spurs bookings
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Those looking to satisfy their wanderlust are increasingly encountering the nightmare of unexpectedly high fares.
ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Ning Chionh, Clement Yong
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE - A round-trip economy class flight to London on Singapore Airlines (SIA) cost $1,800 before the pandemic began in early 2020.
Travellers can now expect to fork out about 80 per cent more for their holiday in Britain’s 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 in the same month, it is $1,380. Nearer to home, a round trip to Bangkok in June can cost as much as $384 on the national carrier.
Other airlines have also raised their fares. For instance, a round 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 about two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
To fly to Seoul in the same month, it is $1,380. Nearer to home, a round trip to Bangkok in June can cost as much as $384 on the national carrier.
Other airlines have also raised their fares. For instance, a round 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 about two years amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
