Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Increasing Number of Daily Singapore-Malaysia and Singapore-Indonesia Vaccinated Travel Lane Flights to Allow More Workers to Return Home

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider increasing the number of daily Singapore-Malaysia and Singapore-Indonesia Vaccinated Travel Lane flights to allow more workers to return home.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran:

1.     MOT and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) closely monitor the demand for Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights. In the week ending 6 February 2022, there were still unused VTL (Air) quotas for Indonesia and Malaysia, despite a 50% limit we have imposed on the daily number of VTL travellers to manage the risk of imported Omicron cases, and higher demand for travel during the Chinese New Year period.

2.     We will review the quotas for the VTL flights, including for Malaysia and Indonesia. This will take into account travel demand, as well as MOH’s public health risk assessment based on the local and global COVID-19 situation. As part of learning to live with COVID-19, we will press on with our efforts to restore our connectivity with the world while safeguarding public health.