Singapore Airlines reported an almost 59% fall in first quarter net profits despite achieving record passenger numbers.

SIA and low cost offshoot Scoot saw the figure fall for the three months to June 30 to S$186 million from S$452 million in the same period last year.

The group said: “Passenger yields declined due to industry-wide capacity growth, while rising non-fuel costs from inflationary pressures offset lower fuel prices.”

Demand for air travel and cargo remained strong despite economic and geopolitical uncertainties across the network, with the sister airlines carrying a record 10.3 million passengers, up 6.9% from the same quarter last year.

However, passenger yields slipped 2.9% amid heightened competition as more airlines continue to add capacity.

The S$266 million drop in net profits included a share of losses of associated companies, notably from Air India in which the group has a quarter shareholding as part of the integration of Vistara into the Indian flag carrier.

SIA was this month granted conditional approval by Singapore’s competition and consumer commission for a proposed commercial joint venture with Malaysia Airlines. 

The group said: “Subject to approval from the Malaysian Aviation Commission, this partnership will see both airlines working together in areas such as sales and marketing, as well as expanded codeshare flights. 

“This collaboration will provide customers with better value, additional options, and enhanced flight connectivity, while boosting tourism in both countries.”

Looking forward, SIA said:  “The demand for air travel remains healthy in the second quarter of FY2025-26 across most route regions due to the traditional summer peak. 

“However, the global airline industry continues to face a volatile operating environment, with challenges ranging from geopolitical developments and macroeconomic fluctuations to changing market dynamics and supply chain constraints. 

“The group will be agile and proactive in responding to changes in demand patterns.

“Long-term strategic initiatives, including continued investment in service excellence, network connectivity, and product leadership will underpin its growth plans, alongside its rigorous cost discipline. 

“The group will remain vigilant in this dynamic operating environment, while identifying and capitalising on emerging areas of growth.”

Travellers on connecting flights from London to the US will soon be able to avoid rechecking hold luggage and skip standard airport customs.

Starting this month, US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) pilot programme One Stop Security (OSS) plans to streamline terminal security steps to speed up connections for air passengers.

Some American Airlines passengers flying from London Heathrow airport with connecting journeys through Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) will now be able to clear US Customs at the arrival gate.

From here, customers can directly board their connecting flight without reclaiming and rechecking hold luggage or clearing TSA security.

Typically, travellers must clear customs, claim checked bags, recheck bags and then again go through security.

With OSS, checked bags are automatically transferred to the connecting flight.

The pilot system is a partnership of the TSA, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the UK Department for Transport (DfT).

According to American Airlines, the new process is expected to cut airport connection times by “more than half”.

American is the first US airline to pilot the scheme on select routes at DFW.

Some Delta passengers are also trialling OSS on routes from Heathrow to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Travellers with Delta will be processed in a dedicated customs area and will not have to claim and recheck their bags. However, only those who are registered in Global Entry, a “trusted traveller programme”, or have the Mobile Passport Control app, will be able to bypass TSA screening, reported the NY Times.

To apply for Global Entry, British passengers are required to apply for a background check by the UK government (£42), then the US government (£90). Upon passing, passengers are subject to an in-person interview. Once completed, Global Entry is valid for five years.

The introduction of the security system in the US follows a successful pilot in February for travellers connecting to international destinations from London Heathrow.

David Seymour, COO at American Airlines, said: “One Stop Security is one of the most forward-thinking enhancements we can bring to international travel — and importantly, to our customers — as it delivers a level of convenience and time-savings that’s never been available before to customers connecting from international flights.

“Customers will spend significantly less time worrying about an onerous connection process and more time enjoying their travel journey.”

TSA deputy administrator Adam Stahl told Fox News Digital that OSS could be expanded to other airports in the next month.

He said: “It really is a common sense security approach for us to streamline security from abroad to the United States.”

The Independent has contacted TSA and Delta Air Lines for comment.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calder’s podcast

By&nbspEuronews Travel&nbspwith&nbspAP

Published on
28/07/2025 – 10:57 GMT+2

Russia on Sunday opened a regular air link between Moscow and Pyongyang, a move reflecting increasingly close ties between the two countries.

The first flight operated by Russian carrier Nordwind took off from Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday, carrying over 400 passengers, and landed in North Korea’s capital around eight hours later.

Tickets for the flight were priced at 45,000 rubles ( around €480), according to Russian state media outlet TASS. It reported that authorities gave Norwind permission to fly to North Korea in July.

The airline used to carry Russians to holiday destinations across Europe, including Spain and Germany, until the EU banned Russian carriers from operating in its airspace in 2022.

Russia’s Transport Ministry said there will be one flight a month to meet demand. It may be the first regular flight between the two capital cities since the mid-1990s, according to Russian aviation blogs and follows the resumption of the 10-day Moscow to Pyongyang rail service in June.

Previously, the only direct flight between Russia and North Korea was the service from Vladivostok in Russia’s Far East, which operates three times a week.

North Korea’s tourism push

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who visited North Korea’s new Wonsan-Kalma beach resort earlier this month to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, promised to encourage Russian tourists to visit the complex.

The resort, which can accommodate nearly 20,000 people, is at the centre of Kim’s push to boost tourism to improve his country’s troubled economy.

North Korea has been slowly easing the curbs imposed during the pandemic and reopening its borders in phases. But the country hasn’t said if it will fully resume international tourism. Restrictions still largely ban foreign tourists from entering the country.

Regular flights between Russia’s eastern port city of Vladivostok and Pyongyang reopened in 2023 following a break caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Russia and North Korea have sharply expanded military and other ties in recent years, with Pyongyang supplying weapons and troops to back Russia’s military action in Ukraine.