Singapore Airlines says a limited number of international two-way transit channels were opened at Changi Airport on Tuesday.
The unique system will allow travellers to connect between different Singapore Airlines services around the world via Changi Airport, including New Zealanders in Asia and Europe who want to come home.
Two weeks ago the airline announced a similar system, however that only offered one-way services. It was available for travellers departing New Zealand or Australia flying north, but not for those wanting to travel in the opposite direction.
"These channels are not about booking an overseas holiday as Australia and New Zealand's borders remain closed to non-citizens," said the airline's regional vice president for South West Pacific, Philip Goh.
"However, they do provide an ability for Aussies and Kiwis who are currently overseas in the approved markets in China, Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea to travel with the Singapore Airlines Group transiting through Changi Airport and return home in a COVID-19-safe manner."
Singapore Airlines' two-way transit system: what you need to know
Customers must depart from one of these cities:
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Adelaide
- Brisbane
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Sydney
- Chongqing
- Guangzhou
- Shanghai
- Hong Kong
- Osaka
- Tokyo
- Seoul
Rules for booking and while onboard:
- Return flights are only allowed if both the point of origin and the final destination are in the list of cities approved for transit through Singapore
- Only one-way tickets can be purchased for journeys in which the final destination is not on the list above
- Customers must ensure they meet the entry and departure requirements for their final destination
- The transit system only applies to people who are flying on an airline operated by SIA Group, Singapore Airlines, SilkAir or Scoot
- There will be dedicated seating zones onboard to separate transit and non-transit passengers
Transit at Singapore Changi Airport:
- Transit and non-transit passengers will be kept apart at Changi Airport
- Transit customers will be issued with a wristband which allows access to a designated transit holding area
- If the transit time is less than 75 minutes, customers will be taken directly to their boarding gate
- Facilities in the transit holding area include food kiosks, vending machines, restrooms, a smoking room and a snooze corner. Complimentary Wi-Fi is also available
- Members of Singapore Airlines PPS Club and those flying in first or business class will be taken to a separate lounge
- For those with a longer wait between flights, the Aerotel Singapore transit hotel at Changi Airport Terminal 1 is open for bookings, but the Ambassador Transit Hotel at Terminal 3 remains closed
