Changi Airport posts 2.3% passenger growth in Q1 despite Middle East disruption

New data shows that Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) handled 17.6 million passengers during the first three months of 2026, a 2.3% increase compared to the same period last year.Aircraft movements, which include both landings and takeoffs, reached 95,300 for the quarter, up 1.4% year-on-year.

The numbers were released by Changi Airport Group on April 17, 2026.

Growth was fueled by strong travel demand to and from North Asia and Europe, which helped offset the impact of ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Passenger traffic between Singapore and the Middle East dropped 80% year-on-year during March 2026.

Over the 12 months leading to March 2026, Changi recorded 70.4 million passengers, a 2.9% increase and the highest traffic the airport has ever seen over a 12-month stretch.

Top markets and fastest-growing routes

China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and India were Changi’s five largest markets for the quarter. Among the airport’s top 10 markets, Vietnam and China posted the strongest growth, rising 26.5% and 17.7% respectively.

The busiest city links were Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. Shanghai, Taipei, and Tokyo saw the strongest growth among Changi’s 10 busiest routes.

Cargo volumes climb despite trade uncertainty

Airfreight throughput totaled 517,000 tonnes in the first quarter, a 7.6% increase from the same period last year.Both exports and imports grew compared to Q1 2025, even as global trade conditions remained uncertain. Changi’s top five cargo markets were China, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and India.

How Changi responded to Middle East disruptions

Lim Ching Kiat, Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President for Air Hub and Cargo Development, said that the airport had been working closely with airline partners to manage the fallout from the Middle East crisis.

“Travel demand in the quarter remained strong, bolstered by growth in North Asia and Europe. While there was some impact from the Middle East crisis, we were resilient and worked closely with our airline partners in response to evolving passenger demand and shifts in travel patterns,” Lim said.

In March 2026, as flights to the Middle East were canceled, airlines launched around 90 additional services between Singapore and cities including Frankfurt, London, Munich, Muscat, Paris, Perth and Sydney.

“We will continue to monitor the global geopolitical situation and work with airlines to provide passengers with alternatives across our diversified network,” Lim added.

New routes and airline services

Changi continued to expand its network in the first quarter with new and reinstated services.

Scoot launched five weekly flights to Chiang Rai and four weekly flights to Palembang, adding more options within Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Jetstar Airways introduced routes to two new Australian destinations: Sunshine Coast (three weekly flights, via Bali) and Newcastle (four weekly flights via Bali).With these additions, Changi is now connecting to a record nine cities in Australia.

On the cargo side, Qantas Freight began operating at Changi earlier this month with twice-weekly Sydney–Shanghai–Singapore–Sydney services. The new freighter service adds capacity and routing options for shippers moving goods across Asia, Australia and Europe.

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