Changi Airport handled 155,000 tonnes of cargo in July, up from June, but down 2.4 per cent from a year ago, continuing this year’s up and down trend.

The July figure has continued the trend of one month rising followed by a decline. In January it handled 150,300 tonnes, dropping to 126,800 tonnes in February, rising again in March to 169,800 tonnes, falling to 151,100 tonnes in April, up to 157,500 tonnes in May and dipping to 154,700 tonnes in June.

Year-to-date, the airport’s volumes have remained stable at one million tonnes from January to July. Traffic to and from China increased for the first time since January, because of increased demand from Shanghai and for secondary Chinese cities, including Nanjing, Hangzhou and Qingdao.

Freight from Hong Kong, India and Vietnam recorded double-digit growth, but was offset by weaker performances elsewhere, particularly Thailand. It has been affected by continuing political instability, resulting in a year-on-year drop of 12 per cent. Changi has expanded two routes in the last month. On 20 July, AirAsia Indonesia begun a third daily Singapore to Bandung (Indonesia) service and Emirates launched a fifth daily service to Dubai in August.