SINGAPORE—Changi Airport’s monthly passenger figures have crossed 5 million for the first time in three years, as the hub reached 88% of pre-pandemic traffic levels.

The airport’s April-June 2023 results show that India continues to be a key market for Changi, maintaining its position within the top five markets for both passenger and cargo.

In June, Changi processed 5.12 million passengers. The airport also recorded 27,500 aircraft movements, which represents 88% of June 2019 levels.

In the second quarter, passenger throughput returned to 87% of pre-pandemic figures, with 14.6 million travelers. The largest inbound markets were Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. Changi Airport Group (CAG) also says that travel to and from Northeast Asia is showing improvement—rising from around 50% of pre-COVID levels in January 2023 to 75% by June of this year.

Changi says its top five air cargo markets are Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, and the U.S. There does, however, appear to be some weakening in the sector, as the airport reports a slide of 10.8% year-on-year in airfreight throughput. The hub attributes this decline to “softening demand amid inflationary pressures.” India has remained in the top five air cargo markets for a second consecutive quarter. 

Lim Ching Kiat, CAG’s executive vice president for air hub and cargo development, says the group is “pleased to have crossed the 5-million mark again in June with the mid-year holiday season.”

“Changi has regained more than 80% of its pre-COVID city links, and we look forward to strengthening connectivity to more points in Southeast Asia and China in the second half of the year,” he adds.