OREANDA-NEWS. Singapore Changi Airport handled 4.79 million passenger movements in April, a 9.2% year-on-year increase. Aircraft movements were 4.3% higher at 29,460 landings and takeoffs, while cargo shipments increased 7.2% to reach 164,530 tonnes, compared to the same period last year.

Passenger traffic during the month was supported by double-digit growth in air travel to and from North East Asia, South East Asia and Africa, offset by weaker performance on American routes. Traffic between Singapore and all of Changi’s top 10 country markets grew during the month, with China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam increasing by more than 10%. China traffic growth was especially robust at 23%.

As at 1 May 2016, more than 100 airlines operate at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to some 330 cities in about 80 countries and territories worldwide. With more than 6,800 weekly scheduled flights, an aircraft takes off or lands at Changi roughly once every 90 seconds.

New Services – On 28 April, Tigerair launched 4x weekly services to Wuxi, China, a new city link for Changi Airport. Scoot introduced 3x weekly services to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia from 1 May, while Qantas increased Melbourne-Singapore services from 7x weekly to 10x weekly beginning 29 April.

New Stores – In the public areas, the world’s first 24-hour Hello Kitty (Orchid Garden) Cafe hasopened in the Arrival Hall of Terminal 3 to the delight of many fans. In Terminal 3’s Basement 2, Vintage 1968 by Purple Attic expands the range of women’s fashion and accessories available at Changi Airport.

In the transit areas, iStudio, Lacoste and Trunk & Co. have commenced operations in Terminal 1. Following the success of DFS’ Wines & Spirits duplex in Terminal 3, the first phase of a second duplex has opened in Terminal 2. Children’s apparel and toy store Avenue Kids has also opened its first full-fledged airport store in the same terminal.