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Singapore, Oktober 16, 2026 – Singapore Airlines Group reported a modest increase in passenger traffic in September, underscoring steady demand for travel even as cargo operations surged on the back of booming technology shipments.
The carrier said passenger traffic grew 2.8 percent year on year, while cargo loads jumped 9.4 percent, driven largely by semiconductor and artificial intelligence hardware exports.
The group carried 3.5 million passengers during the month, a 3.7 percent rise compared with the same period last year.
Capacity expanded by 3.1 percent, slightly outpacing traffic growth, which led to a marginal dip in the overall passenger load factor to 86.8 percent.
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Despite the decline, the figure remained stronger than August’s sharper drop, suggesting resilience in demand across key markets.
Singapore Airlines’ mainline operations saw passenger traffic increase 3 percent, with capacity up 3.6 percent.
The airline carried 2.3 million passengers, a 3.6 percent rise, though its load factor slipped to 85.7 percent.
Scoot, the group’s budget arm, posted a 2.2 percent increase in traffic against a 1.4 percent rise in capacity.
Its load factor improved to 90.8 percent, with passenger numbers climbing 3.8 percent to 1.2 million.
Cargo performance was the standout. Loads rose 9.4 percent year on year, far exceeding capacity growth of 3.1 percent.
The cargo load factor improved by 3.4 percentage points to 59.6 percent, with total cargo and mail carried reaching 102.2 million kilograms, up 8.6 percent.
Analysts noted that strong demand for semiconductor and AI hardware shipments has become a critical growth engine for the airline, reflecting global supply chain momentum in advanced technology sectors.
The group’s network spanned 136 destinations across 35 countries in September, with Singapore Airlines serving 78 and Scoot covering 84.
Regional trends showed softer load factors in East Asia, Europe, and the South West Pacific, while improvements were recorded in the Americas, West Asia, and Africa.
Shares of Singapore Airlines closed 0.8 percent lower at S$6.49 on October 15, ahead of the announcement.
Market watchers said investor sentiment remains cautious, weighed by rising jet fuel prices and competitive pressures, even as cargo strength offers a buffer.
The figures highlight the dual challenge facing the airline sustaining passenger recovery while capitalizing on freight demand.
With AIbdriven shipments bolstering cargo revenues, the group’s near term outlook hinges on balancing growth across both segments amid volatile costs and intensifying regional competition.
