Singapore-Hong Kong bubble to open
Flights for the initial phase of the Hong Kong-Singapore travel bubble have sold out in both directions, according to the websites of Cathay Pacific Airways and Singapore Airlines.
The bubble is due to open on May 26, and demand was always going to outstrip supply given there will only be one return flight a day between the two financial hubs, with capacity limited at 200 travellers.
An economy-class Singapore Airlines ticket for a flight leaving on June 16 and returning from Hong Kong on June 18, for example, is available for $466 (about R6,600). Cathay has a basic economy bubble flight from Hong Kong on June 16 and returning on June 18 for $380. The Cathay flight leaving
Hong Kong on June 5 and returning on June 8 costs $902.
Hong Kong and Singapore announced details of the plan on Monday. Initially due to open last November, the travel bubble was shelved due to a jump in Covid cases in Hong Kong. After a couple more false starts and months of negotiations, the plan is back on track and will allow people to travel between the cities without having to quarantine.
Flights could be suspended if infections rise above five in either city for an extended period.