As Singapore continues to cautiously relax entry and transit requirements, flights by major European airlines are increasing at the Southeast Asian hub. That’s seen homegrown airline Jetstar Asia once again working with alliance partners Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and British Airways at Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Partnership restored as Singapore begins to relax entry & transit rules
Jetstar Asia’s long-running connection arrangements with the three European airlines went into hiatus last year. But with over three-quarters of Singaporeans fully vaccinated, Singapore is eyeing restoring Changi Airport to its former glory as a major transit hub. In 2019, the airport handled 68.3 million passengers. Last year that shrunk to 11.8 million passengers – the vast majority of that number passing through in the first quarter of the year.
Singapore has already lifted border restrictions and transit rules for passengers from a small (and constantly changing) number of countries. Everyone else passing through Singapore will need a valid negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of boarding their Singapore-bound flight. Once at Changi, officials will escort passengers to a transit holding area to wait for their departing flight.
To help negotiate the regulatory maze, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, and Air France all have agreements with Jetstar Asia. Those agreements allow passengers to transit in Singapore to or from nominated cities in the Jetstar Asia network.
“Depending on the connection, transit passengers may be guided into transit holding areas to shop, eat and sleep safely before boarding their flight to their final stop,” a Jetstar statement notes.
A step in the right direction
Rebooting seamless connections is a small step forward. However, it is a small step in the right direction for Jetstar Asia and Changi Airport. Once again, passengers flying into Singapore on British Airways, Air France, or KLM Royal Dutch Airlines can connect through to 10 Jetstar Asia destinations – Bangkok, Clark, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Penang, Phnom Penh, Phuket and Surabaya.
Jetstar Asia restored their previous seamless connection alliance with Emirates in Singapore in April.
“Jetstar Asia’s longstanding partnerships with Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and British Airways will provide more exciting travel opportunities for our customers and a significant boost in the revival of Singapore’s air travel hub,” Jetstar’s Clive Ashmore Butler says.
Passengers transiting in Singapore will be checked through at their first international departure point for the onward connecting service at Changi. Passengers will not see their checked-in luggage until their final destination.
Some full-service airline benefits on Jetstar Asia
Jetstar advises transit travellers must book their entire journey in one booking to enjoy the benefits of the connection service. They also say it is essential to know the entry requirements at your final destination.
Passengers stepping off a long-haul flight on a full-service European carrier will find the inflight ambience a little different on Jetstar Asia. The airline operates a fleet of one-class Airbus A320-200 planes and, in typical low-cost mode, charge for most inflight services.
But one of the benefits of using the Changi connection service is the free luggage allowance. Passengers also receive complimentary inflight meals/snacks on the Jetstar Asia operated leg of the journey.
Singapore’s Changi Airport is still falling a long way short of its status as one of Southeast Asia’s busiest airports. But there’s a real feeling the worst is over for the airport and the airlines like Jetstar Asia that call Changi home. Resuming old partnerships like Jetstar Asia’s seamless connection is a small step in the road forward.
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