CHANGI AIRPORT has seen its freight volumes dip to 147,800 tonnes in September, the lowest month since February, because of reduced traffic to China and Thailand.

The September decline came after three months of growth in June, July and August when it handled 154,700 tonnes, 155,000 tonnes and 156,000 tonnes, respectively. Cargo volumes have been volatile throughout 2014. It handled 150,300 tonnes in January before dipping to 126,800 tonnes in February. It rose to its yearly high in March when it handled 169,800 tonnes, before dropping to 151,100 tonnes in April and 157,500 tonnes in May. Year-to-date it has handled 1.3 million tonnes, up 0.3 per cent on 2013 when it handled 1.2 million tonnes.

Year-on-year September, and February, were both down 2.7 per cent. January was up 3.8 per cent before seeing declines of 2.7 per cent and 1.3 per cent in February and March, respectively. April and May saw increases of 0.6 per cent and 3.5 per cent, respectively. June and July were down 0.2 per cent and 2.4 per cent, respectively before August registered an increase of 4.1 per cent. Traffic to South Asia and Northeast Asia grew by 11 per cent and two per cent, respectively. India saw double-digit growth while traffic to China and Thailand was down six per cent and nine per cent. Jakarta was its busiest route, followed by Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Manila. On 19 September, China Eastern Airlines launched daily services from Changi to Lanzhou via Kunming (both China). 

On 1 October, Air India launched daily services between Changi and Mumbai and Chennai (both India), replacing its daily Mumbai-Chennai-Changi route.