SINGAPORE - According to an announcement by Singapore Changi Airport, the number of air passengers traveling between Singapore and India surpassed 5 million for the first time in 2024. Changi Airport's analysis of the data revealed that air passenger traffic between the two countries reached 5.5 million in 2024, marking a remarkable 12% increase compared to the previous year and exceeding the 2019 pre-pandemic figures by 15%.

India has now established itself as Changi Airport's largest market. Changi Airport is connected to 16 cities in India, including major hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Six airlines, namely Air India, Air India Express, Drukair, IndiGo, Scoot, and Singapore Airlines, operate approximately 280 weekly flights between the two countries, Changi Airport stated in a press release this week.

Changi Airport is recognized as one of the best-connected hubs in Southeast Asia for India. To further expand this growth, Changi Airport aims to strengthen connectivity with other cities in India such as Jaipur, Lucknow, Surat, and Chandigarh in the short to medium term, the statement added. The Changi Airport Group expressed optimism for continued growth in the future.

Factors and Outlook for India's Aviation Market Growth

The surge in Singapore-India air passenger traffic is analyzed as a result of a combination of several factors:

Indian Economic Growth: India is one of the fastest-growing economies globally, with an expanding middle class and increasing disposable income driving the demand for air travel.
Increased Bilateral Exchange: Growing economic, cultural, and educational exchanges between Singapore and India have led to increased people-to-people flows. In particular, there is a steady increase in travel demand for business and tourism purposes.
Expansion and Increase in Flight Routes: The continuous expansion of air routes and the increase in flight frequencies between Changi Airport and major Indian cities have enhanced travel convenience. The growth of low-cost carriers has also contributed to increased accessibility of air travel.
Strengthening Changi Airport's Hub Competitiveness: Changi Airport has solidified its position as a major hub airport in Southeast Asia based on its excellent facilities and efficient operating system. It is actively attracting transit demand connecting India with Southeast Asia and other regions.
Changi Airport's strategy to expand its presence in the Indian market is expected to continue in the future. By connecting with new cities in India, it aims to absorb more diverse travel demand and contribute to the promotion of exchanges between the two countries. Furthermore, considering the growth potential of the Indian aviation market, the Singapore-India air route is expected to maintain high growth in the years to come.