Passengers of Singapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir will now be able to transit at Changi Airport to any destination currently operated by these two airlines and Scoot, if they are flying from certain cities in Australia and New Zealand, SIA announced in a media release.
The carrier added that this only applies to outbound flights from the selected cities, with effect from June 11.
In addition, passengers will not be able to transit through Singapore from other points in the SIA Group Network. Transfers to and from other flights are also not permitted.
The cities in question are:
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Perth (via Scoot)
- Sydney
- Auckland
- Christchurch
Transit passengers will be kept apart from non-transit passengers
SIA further added that transit passengers will be kept apart from non-transit passengers at Changi Airport, so as to ensure the safety of both passengers and staff.
Transit passengers will also be issued with a wristband indicating their access to the designated transit holding area. Should the boarding time be less than 75 minutes, they will be ushered directly to the boarding gate.
If it is more than 75 minutes, they will be directed to a designated transit holding area at their departure terminal before boarding their connecting flight.
Passengers cannot make any stops along the way and must remain in the transit holding area at all times.
The carrier further stated that they also should not remove the wristband while they are in the holding area, which will have facilities such as food kiosks, vending machines, a smoking room, a snooze corner and complimentary WiFi.
When it is time to board, transit passengers will be ushered in groups from the holding area to the boarding gate. They will be invited to board the aircraft first, followed by non-transit passengers.
T3 SilverKris (Business Class) lounge will not be available to transit passengers
PPS Club members, Suites, business class and first class transit passengers will not have access to the SilverKris Lounge (Business Class) at Terminal 3 either due to regulatory requirements.
Instead, they will be invited to a premium waiting area in the transit holding area, where complimentary food and beverages will be provided.
Transit hotels at Changi Airport have also been temporarily closed.
Transit passengers will also be seated separately from non-transit passengers
Transit passengers will also be seated separately from non-transit passengers on board the plane, with dedicated seating zones.
SIA further added that passengers should remain within their designated zones throughout the flight.
At arrival, non-transit passengers will disembark first, followed by transit passengers.
Top image from Singapore Airlines Facebook