“When a vaccine is widely available around the world and others regain confidence and scale in other countries, aviation will be back on its feet, almost entirely,” Ong said in an interview with Bloomberg Television. Don’t guess, I’d say at least two years. “
Singapore will have to “find tactics to revive” the aviation sector, the minister said, adding that the city-state’s test capability is now about 30,000 per day and can succeed at 40,000 until November and probably later. control of the epidemic, Ong said.
When asked about Singapore Airlines Ltd. , which posted a record quarterly loss in the 3 months through June and reduced its workforce by about 20%, Ong said the airline is facing a “disastrous situation” due to the pandemic and to the fact that it didn’t. Have national staff. Market to turn to.
Restrictions related to the virus mean singapore Airlines, which raised S$11 billion ($8 billion) largely through a rights factor at the start of the crisis, is stealing only a small fraction of its previous capacity. the airline’s passenger numbers fell by 98. 4% compared to last year.
Singapore Airlines’ desire to raise more budget will count as a giant component of the good luck of any recovery, Ong said. “The more we can raise, the more money they can make, the less they want recapitalization. “
A regulatory filing in August showed that the airline had used some of the S$8. 8 billion it had raised for stock sales, noting that airlines continue to incur expenses even when planes are idle. The company is reviewing its fleet and operations.
The International Air Transport Association, which represents some 290 airlines, said it did not expect passenger traffic to recover until at least 2024. A recent IATA survey among users found that 83% said they would not do so if it were a 14-day trip. .
To open borders and inspire others to do so again, quarantine will have to be replaced by effective Covid-19 testing, Ong said. “We want to gradually open borders, identify key links that have made us a center. “
Ong said Singapore will have to review plans for a fifth terminal at Changi Airport and that construction of the terminal, which is scheduled to be completed in 2030, has been on hold for at least two years.
“The assumptions when we entered Terminal Five changed completely,” Ong said. “I don’t have a prediction or a crystal ball to say what will happen in Terminal Five and what will happen in global aviation.
Singapore has pledged around $100 billion in stimulus measures to combat the effects of the pandemic, adding wage subsidies that will last until March.
To further reactivate travel, the city-state will not allow cruises anywhere later this year. World Dream by Genting Cruise Lines and Quantum of the Seas of Royal Caribbean International will begin their round trips from November and December, respectively.
Genting has earned more than 6,000 bookings in five days for his trip, while Royal Caribbean bookings have increased by 500% compared to the following two weeks, the Straits Times said Tuesday. Residents of Singapore.
“The biggest defense is that cruise ships are all singaporeans and that we have very low occurrence rates,” Ong said. “It’s not another one from any country where pubs are open, other people socialize. “
This story was published from a firm thread without converting the text. Only the name has been changed.
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