Hanoi (VNA) – Singapore’s Changi Airport is takingthe lead in the recovery of air travel within the Asia-Pacific region, saidMinister for Transport S. Iswaran.
Addressing the parliament on August 2, Iswaran said, as quotedby Channel News Asia, that the Changi Airport is “ahead in terms of bothinternational passenger traffic and city links vis-a-vis pre-COVID levels” asof June, compared to major Asia-Pacific air hubs, such as Incheon (the Republic of Korea), Hong Kong (China) and Bangkok (Thailand).
As of the first week of July, its weekly passenger traffic hasrecovered to about 55% of 2019’s average weekly levels.
Changi is also connected to 108 cities by passenger flightsas of July 2022, which is more than 65% of the number of cities it was connectedto before the pandemic, the minister said.
To meet anticipated traveller flows, Iswaran said that the airportwill reopen Terminal 4 from September 13, and start departure operations in thesouthern wing of Terminal 2 in October.
The works will enable the airport to handle up to pre-COVIDpassenger traffic levels, or about 70 million passengers per annum, whichrepresents about 80% of Changi’s pre-COVID capacity, he said./.
Vietjet, SOVICO Group and Changi Airports International (CAI), the international arm of Changi Airport Group, have signed a strategic partnership agreement worth 1.5 billion USD to develop the provision of aviation services at airports in Vietnam and in the region.
Singapore has stopped stamping on passports on foreign visitors and, in replace, issued electronic visit passes (e-Passes) for them via email, according to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).
Changi Airport of Singapore is ready to welcome more passengers with a hope to recover the number recorded in the pre-COVID-19 pandemic level, as travel restrictions and safety measures are eased.
Singapore’s Changi Airport was crowned the world’s best aerodrome for 15 years straight before COVID-19 due to its superior traveller offerings and hi-tech customer services. Now it is ready to welcome back visitors en masse, hoping improvements made during the pandemic will cement its status as Asia’s premier aviation hub.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
At the Changi Airport (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
