Singapore‑Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble Postponed Again
Singapore and Hong Kong have agreed to delay the launch of their quarantine‑free air travel bubble (ATB) after a recent rise in Covid‑19 cases in Singapore.
Key Points
- 2025‑05‑17: Singapore’s Transport Minister S. Iswaran met with Hong Kong’s Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau to discuss the ATB.
- Both sides remain committed: Both governments emphasize their strong interest in launching the ATB safely, but the spike in Singapore’s unlinked community cases means the launch criteria cannot yet be met.
- Safety comes first: The ATB will be postponed until the health situation clarifies by the end of the second phase of Singapore’s reopening, when the heightened alert will reduce.
- Suspension rule: The bubble will pause if the 7‑day moving average of unlinked community cases in either country climbs above five.
- Current stats: As of Sunday, Singapore’s average hovered around five, with several linked community cases also recorded.
- History: The original launch was slated for 2025‑05‑26, after being delayed from November last year due to Hong Kong’s worsening Covid‑19 situation.
- Health Minister’s stance: Former transport minister Ong Ye Kung, now Singapore’s Health Minister, noted that the country may not meet bubble launch criteria soon and will monitor numbers closely before announcing a new start date.
About the Decision
Both administrations pledged to monitor case numbers closely and to revisit the bubble launch timeline as Singapore’s reopening progresses. The joint commitment underscores a shared desire to launch the bubble in a safe, responsible manner.
Background
This move follows the earlier deferral last year, consented to by both parties when Hong Kong’s Covid‑19 outcomes worsened. Despite this setback, officials remain eager to revive cross‑regional travel, subject to public health safeguards.
Next Steps
Officials will revise the launch date once the public health data stabilizes, with a final decision expected early next week.
