Singapore added 400-plus flights as Middle East airspace shut
Why it matters: IATA expects the boost for Changi to fade as Gulf hubs recover, while Singapore delayed its SAF levy to 2027.
Singapore’s Changi Airport has gained traffic from Middle East airspace closures, with airlines adding more than 400 flights between Singapore and cities including Frankfurt, London, Munich, Paris, Perth and Sydney from March to May. At IATA’s annual meeting in Rio de Janeiro on June 9, Director-General Willie Walsh credited Singapore Airlines for quickly shifting capacity on Asia-Europe routes, including A380 service to Frankfurt and planned frequency increases to Manchester, Milan, Munich and London Gatwick in late 2026. Walsh said the advantage is likely temporary because Gulf hubs should rebound once regional stability returns. He also pointed to Singapore’s decision to push its sustainable aviation fuel levy start to Jan. 1, 2027.