Hong Kong and Singapore recently firmed up plans to set-up a “travel bubble” amidst ongoing restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Hong Kong Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau said the initial deal would mean travellers between the areas would be exempted from undergoing a mandatory 14-day quarantine or stay-at-home procedures although a negative coronavirus test result will still be required.

Yau said more details will be released later and the travel bubble would likely commence in a "few weeks" as other travel bubbles with other countries are also being considered.

“This is a milestone in our efforts to resume normalcy while fighting against the long-drawn battle of Covid-19,” Yau said in a press release. “Hong Kong and Singapore enjoy long-time close and cordial co-operation on many fronts. I have every confidence that the ATB [Air Travel Bubble] arrangement can come to fruition very soon to facilitate resumption of air travel between our two economies.”

“This is a milestone in our efforts to resume normalcy while fighting against the long-drawn battle of COVID-19,” Yau said in a statement.

“Hong Kong and Singapore enjoy long-time close and cordial co-operation on many fronts. I have every confidence that the ATB [Air Travel Bubble] arrangement can come to fruition very soon to facilitate resumption of air travel between our two economies.”

The number of flights from Hong Kong to Singapore declined fundamentally as a consequence of the pandemic. According to the Cirium Flight Schedule, there are only 54 round trip flights filed in October 2020 providing a total of just over 34,000 seats, some 90% lower than in October 2019.

Depressed demand to persist

Despite this welcome news, Herman Tse, Aviation Analyst, Ascend by Cirium said it could still take some time for the capacity to return.

“Although the travel bubble will potentially facilitate increase of services by Cathay Pacific, Singapore and Scoot (who have continued to operate minimal services on the route through 2020), demand is expected to remain depressed in the near-term as passenger confidence remains low,” he said.