Plans to Help Aviation Sector Recover from COVID-19 Impact
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns strategies for the aviation sector’s recovery from COVID-19, including support for Singapore Airlines and the status of Changi Airport Terminal 5. Members of Parliament inquired about transit passenger statistics, reciprocal travel arrangements, health protocols for travelers, and the environmental considerations for no-destination flights. They also raised concerns about how retrenchments might impact the industry's medium-to-long-term revival and air hub status. Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport Mr Baey Yam Keng responded by requesting that the Minister for Transport take these questions together. Consequently, the Minister for Transport was permitted to provide a consolidated response to these queries in a Ministerial Statement later in the sitting.
Transcript
3 Mr Gan Thiam Poh asked the Minister for Transport (a) what is the total number of passengers who have made transits through Singapore since Changi Airport was re-opened for transit passengers; and (b) whether there is a plan to open further for business travellers and leisure tourists without the need for Stay-Home Notices if effective and reliable measures such as the swab test can be relied on and faster clearances at designated areas in the airport.
4 Mr Saktiandi Supaat asked the Minister for Transport (a) what plans are in the pipeline to revive our aviation industry and promote safe air travel through Singapore; (b) how will these plans address the medium to long-term risks to our air hub status; and (c) whether the retrenchment exercise by SIA will affect these plans to revive our aviation industry and, if so, what is the impact.
5 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport which reciprocal travel arrangements with other countries are expected to be finalised within the next three months.
6 Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye asked the Minister for Transport whether the Government has plans to aid the recovery of Singapore Airlines in the event of a prolonged COVID-19 pandemic situation and, if so, what are these.
7 Mr Liang Eng Hwa asked the Minister for Transport (a) how can the Government help the aviation industry and Singapore Airlines preserve their capabilities and pivot in the post-COVID-19 pandemic landscape; and (b) whether the medium-to long-term plans for the industry need to be revised including the building of Changi Airport Terminal 5.
8 Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport what are the factors that the Ministry will consider before approving no-destination flights and how important will carbon emissions arising from such flights be a factor for approval.
The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Transport (Mr Baey Yam Keng) (for the Minister for Transport): Mr Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission for the Minister for Transport to take Question No 3 through to Question No 8 in his Ministerial Statement later in the Sitting, please.
Mr Speaker: Yes. Mr Ang Wei Neng.