"The robust demand for air travel continued into the Northern Summer travel season, led by the rebound in passenger traffic to North Asia with the full reopening of China, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, and Taiwan," the airline said in a statement.
It also recorded a S$413 million decrease in costs associated with fuel for the six-month period but flagged concerns around a spike in prices due to supply risks in the oil market.
Singapore Airlines and its budget arm, Scoot, carried around 17.4 million passengers during the half-year, an increase of 52.3% year-on-year.
The group expects to return to pre-Covid passenger capacity levels within fiscal 2024-2025, it added.
The firm also intends to redeem 50% of the zero-coupon mandatory convertible bonds (MCBs) that it issued in June 2021 to support its balance sheet amid an almost total shutdown of air travel during the pandemic.
Singapore Airlines posted a record half-year profit after it saw strong demand as numerous countries fully reopened after the global health crisis. The airline expects to return to pre-health crisis passenger capacity levels within fiscal year 2024-2025 https://t.co/4aUZGH6q3K pic.twitter.com/yjAR4CciRe
— Reuters Asia (@ReutersAsia) November 7, 2023
The South Korean-owned automotive supplier, BC GEN Hungary Kft., has announced a new investment of HUF 21 billion, which will create 400 new jobs in Salgótarján. The announcement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó in Budapest on Tuesday.
In recent years, China has pivoted its investment strategy in Central Asia, particularly in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, towards renewable energy projects. Notably, agreements were signed in 2023 for Chinese companies to build substantial solar photovoltaic plants in multiple Uzbek regions, representing a total of $4 bn in investment.
Japan welcomed a record 17.78 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2024, the country’s tourism agency has said, as the weak yen helped drive tourist numbers above pre-pandemic levels.