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SINGAPORE: Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung will issue a ministerial statement in Parliament on Tuesday (October 6) on the government’s strategies for the aviation sector, which has been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Calling the aviation sector “a key lifeline for Singapore,” Ong said in a Facebook post on Monday that he will address several questions posed by Members of Parliament (MP) Saktiandi Supaat, Gan Thiam Poh, Melvin Yong and Liang Eng. Hwa “on plans. To help the recovery of our air hub and our flag carrier.”
Mr. Ong also said that he will speak on the issue of taxation on “flights to nowhere”.
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“While Singapore Airlines (SIA) has already announced that it will not continue with flights anywhere, I will also address concerns raised by members, Mr. Dennis Tan and Associate Professor Jamus Lim, on this, including whether a tax should be imposed. imposed on such flights, “said Mr. Ong.
Tan from the Workers’ Party (WP) has submitted a parliamentary question asking the minister what factors will be considered before approving flights without destination. The Hougang deputy also asked if the carbon emissions from such flights will be a factor for approval.
Dr. Lim, also from WP, has asked whether the Ministry of Transport (MOT) has considered imposing an environmental tax per flight for these “flights to nowhere”.
In addition, the Sengkang GRC MP asked if MOT has considered suggesting to SIA that pilots retain their skills through simulators and that flight crew member salaries be supplemented by estimated additional environmental costs through a subsidy from the government, instead of operating non-destiny. flights.
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The global aviation sector has been severely crippled by the COVID-19 pandemic with strict border restrictions limiting travel, leading to a drop in revenue and an increase in layoffs from airlines and related businesses.
SIA Group reported the first annual net loss in its 48-year history in May and has said it will cut about 4,300 jobs, affecting about 2,400 employees. Industry watchers expect further job losses to occur.
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