Analysts attribute the suspension to slot allocation challenges and regulatory approvals in China.
SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) will resume flights to Chongqing, Chengdu, and Xiamen on April 22, following a three-week suspension that began on March 31 due to “regulatory reasons.”
Before the disruption, SIA operated daily flights to Chengdu and Xiamen, and three weekly flights to Chongqing. Services will initially restart with five weekly flights before increasing to daily operations from April 28, the airline confirmed.
Challenges Behind the Suspension
The recent suspension mirrors a similar disruption in 2022, when flights to the same cities were paused, resuming only in late November. Aviation analysts suggest regulatory constraints, such as capacity limits and the unavailability of flight slots, as likely causes.
Brendan Sobie, founder of aviation consultancy Sobie Aviation, noted that obtaining regulatory approvals for flight slots has been an ongoing challenge. He explained that while the now-defunct SilkAir previously held rights and slots for these routes, transferring them to SIA required new approvals.
“China mandates reapplication for slot transfers, and such approvals are not guaranteed or permanent,” said Mr. Sobie, emphasizing that similar practices exist at other airports, including Singapore’s Changi Airport.
Transport analyst Terence Fan from Singapore Management University (SMU) added that China’s aviation sector, heavily impacted by the pandemic, has implemented capacity restrictions, prioritizing the recovery of local airlines. This has affected both international and domestic carriers, with airlines like SIA needing to balance their service resumption priorities.
Operational Adjustments
As part of its adjustments, SIA appears to be prioritizing key hubs such as Beijing and Shanghai over other cities. “Runway slots at prime times are highly competitive globally, not just in China,” said Asst Prof Fan.
He speculated that the temporary suspension of services to secondary cities like Chongqing and Chengdu may stem from strategic choices to ensure continued access to China’s busiest airports.
Gradual Resumption
SIA’s website currently lists flights to Chongqing, Chengdu, and Xiamen available for booking from late April to May, with availability potentially extending further as schedules are updated.
An SIA spokesperson assured that the airline would “continue to work closely with the relevant authorities” to adapt its network and capacity in China.
For the week of April 1-7, SIA maintained a robust schedule to other Chinese destinations, including 35 weekly flights to Shanghai, 14 each to Beijing and Guangzhou, and seven to Shenzhen.
