Monday, August 26, 2024 Singapore Airlines has played a key role in establishing the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur air corridor as a vital link between two of Southeast Asia’s busiest cities. In 2023, this bustling route handled over 25,000 flights and offered more than 4 million seats to passengers, solidifying its status as the world’s busiest international flight corridor for that year. Despite this impressive milestone, the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route has since been surpassed by the Hong Kong-Taipei route, making it the second-busiest in terms of passenger traffic.
According to data from aviation analytics company Cirium, eight airlines currently operate on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route: These carriers will offer over 1,420 roundtrip flights and more than half a million seats in August 2024, nearly reaching the pre-pandemic peak levels seen in 2019. AirAsia holds the largest share of flights on this route, accounting for 22.8% of operations, followed by Malaysia Airlines with 20.
8% and Singapore Airlines with 16.7%. Despite global challenges and shifting travel patterns, the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route continues to thrive.
This enduring popularity is driven by several key factors: This high-demand route features a mix of flag carriers and low-cost airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, AirAsia, Scoot, Jetstar Asia, and Firefly, the low-cost subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. Before the pandemic, the route was also served by Air Mauritius and Uzbekistan Airways under fifth-freedom rights. As the air travel landscape continues to recover, the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route demonstrates its resilience and significance, connecting people for leisure, business, and cultural exchanges.
Here’s the table with a serial number added for each entry: Serial No Airline Aircraft Flights Seats 1 Jetstar Asia Airways A320 186 33,480 2 AirAsia A320 650 123,304 3 Ethiopian Airlines B787 36 10,408 4 Firefly ATR 72 364 26,208 5 Malaysia Airlines B737 594 101,788 6 Batik Air Malaysia B737 248 40,176 7 Singapore Airlines A350, B737 478 94,924 8 Scoot A320, B787 292 73,934 On OAG’s list of the busiest air routes globally, the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur corridor stands out not only for its traffic volume but also for being the shortest. Covering a mere 184 miles (296 km), this route takes approximately one hour to complete. Despite the short distance, some airlines opt to deploy wide-body aircraft.
For instance, Singapore Airlines utilizes the Airbus A350, while Ethiopian Airlines and Scoot employ the Boeing 787 Dreamliner for this brief journey. In addition to the main air corridor, the cities are linked through their secondary airports. Firefly operates ATR services between Seletar Airport (XSP) in Singapore’s northeast and Subang Airport (SZB) in Kuala Lumpur.
Subang Airport, officially known as Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport, was the primary airport for Kuala Lumpur from 1965 until 1998, when Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) opened. Today, both Singapore Changi and KLIA are recognized for their modern infrastructure, ensuring that passengers can transit quickly and efficiently. Subang Airport has also seen steady growth, recently adding Singaporean low-cost carrier Scoot to its list of operators.
While air travel remains the preferred mode of transport between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, alternative options are available. The drive between the two cities takes about five hours, with numerous bus services facilitating travel. From Malaysia’s southernmost tip, two short bridges connect the country to Singapore.
Rail travel is another option, although it requires a transfer at Johor Bahru, just across the border from Singapore. A complete train journey between the two cities typically takes between six to eight hours, making it less appealing than the one-hour flight option. Air travel continues to dominate the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route due to its speed, convenience, and affordability.
With flight times of just about an hour and a range of airlines catering to different budgets and preferences, it’s easy to see why this air corridor remains one of the busiest globally. From low-cost carriers to full-service airlines, the route offers options for all types of travelers, ensuring that it continues to thrive in a highly competitive environment..
