Flying out of Singapore will soon cost more from January 1, 2009. New departure fees will now amount to S$28 (US$18).
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is raising Passenger Security Service Charge (PSSC) from S$6 (US$4) to S$8 (US$5) and the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) from S$15 (US$10) to S$20 (US$13). Increased operating costs have been cited as cause for the price hikes.
The new rates will apply to Changi Airport’s Terminals 1, 2 and 3. At the Budget Terminal, the tax will go up from S$13 (US$8.65) to S$15.
The last price hike took place in January 2004.
The PSC fee is collected from passengers to cover costs directly related to providing passenger services such as the operation and maintenance of terminal buildings, including services such as flight information display systems, trolley retrieval and baggage handling.
The PSSC fee, which was introduced in March 2002 to cover the expense of securing the airport in the aftermath of the 9/11 incident, has never been increased from the start.
The move has elicited negative feedback from airlines, who called it “untimely”, given the current shrinking travel demand. Changi has become more expensive than some other airports in Asia, including Hongkong’s Chek Lap Kok, but almost on a par with others like Tokyo’s Narita.
However, compared with the US$50 passenger charges at airports in Europe, Australia and the US, Changi still presents a good deal.
For more details visit www.caas.gov.sg and www.changiairport.com.
Peter Rajendran
