Latest news with #TharmanShanmugaratnam
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan
SINGAPORE: Singapore airport officials are considering restarting direct flights to Uzbekistan as travel demand to the Central Asian country grows. A spokeswoman for Changi Airport Group (CAG) told The Straits Times on May 29 that the operator is in the early stages of exploring the resumption of services to Uzbekistan, and will provide more details when available. Uzbekistan, she noted, has 'strong destination appeal' and is experiencing burgeoning travel demand. 'Central Asia is a growing region that CAG is looking at developing direct flights to,' she added. Uzbekistan's state-owned airport operator, Uzbekistan Airports, said on May 20 that it had discussed the prospect of opening up a flight route between Singapore and Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, with CAG representatives. The operator added that CAG had expressed 'high interest' in relaunching direct flights between the two cities amid growing interest in Uzbekistan as a tourist destination. Particular attention was paid to Tashkent International Airport's role as a strategic transit point for passenger flows between Europe and Asia during the talks. Uzbekistan Airports said it has agreed to work with CAG on issues related to logistics and marketing, and to clarify the regulatory procedures needed to launch the flights. Uzbekistan Airways previously operated a twice-weekly service that plied a circular route between Tashkent, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. But the airline dropped the Singapore leg in April 2019 due to low traffic from Changi. This was despite Singapore citizens being allowed to enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30 days since 2018. Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. The boom has been driven in part by Russian airspace closures, which has led to airlines passing through or flying over Central Asia. Another factor is the liberalisation of air transport there, with more flights by foreign airlines and new local carriers sprouting up to take advantage of the new traffic. In 2023, Changi Airports International, the consultancy and investment arm of CAG, inked a deal with Uzbekistan Airports to optimise operations at Tashkent International Airport and develop a feasibility study for a new airport project. Former president Halimah Yacob and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also spoke favourably in 2023 and 2024 about plans by Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana to launch direct flights to Singapore, though this has yet to happen. Independent analyst Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation said passenger traffic between Uzbekistan and South-East Asia has more than doubled since 2019. But without a direct air link, Changi Airport has not benefited from this growth. There are non-stop flights from Tashkent to Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc in Vietnam; Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand; and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent market is also set to expand, with budget airline AirAsia planning to join Batik Air Malaysia and Uzbekistan Airways in offering non-stop flights between the two cities. Malaysia Airlines recently included the route in its long-term network plan as well. In 2024, Tashkent International Airport handled more than 8.7 million domestic and international passengers. In 2019, it handled fewer than five million. Sobie, however, warned that a direct Singapore-Tashkent route will not be easy to sustain. Uzbekistan does not attract many Singaporeans, and most Uzbeks travelling to South-east Asia are price-sensitive holidaymakers, he said. Hence, a viable Singapore-Tashkent flight will need to rely heavily on passengers transiting through Singapore to leisure destinations in South-East Asia. In his view, this makes Singapore Airlines (SIA) or its low-cost arm Scoot the more feasible options to operate the route. But whether the airline group will take such a risk remains to be seen. In response to queries, SIA Group said it regularly reviews its network operations and will adjust them in response to travel demand. Uzbekistan Airways did not respond to queries. Travel agencies said a non-stop flight to Tashkent will mean greater convenience and a shorter flight time of seven hours, compared with more than ten hours today, with stopovers in places such as Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. For tour operators, a direct flight will cut costs, simplify logistics and allow shorter itineraries, said Singapore-based travel agency Adventures Unlimited. 'Overtourism in Europe and Japan has prompted travellers to seek unique experiences. Central Asia's attractions, visa-free access, affordability and exotic cultures appeal to adventurous travellers,' it added. Ganesha Balakrishnan, who owns Kyrgyzstan-based travel agency The Untold Direction, said there are still factors deterring Singaporeans from visiting Central Asia, such as cultural unfamiliarity and misconceptions about safety. Yet interest in the region is growing steadily. The Untold Direction, which has a mostly Singaporean and Malaysian clientele, ran more than 30 tours in Central Asia in 2024. So far in 2025, it has confirmed more than 50 tours. Balakrishan said there is also a sizeable Uzbek diaspora in Singapore that could benefit from a non-stop flight. It is a similar story for Chan Brothers Travel, which offers nine tours to Central Asia. Tan Jie Ni, the agency's marketing communications executive, noted broad enthusiasm for tours to the region not only from seasoned travellers, but also from multi-generational groups and young professionals. Recognising this, it launched a chartered direct flight between Singapore and Tashkent in December 2024, which led to a 20 per cent increase in tour bookings. The agency will sign an agreement in July with Bhutan flag carrier Drukair to operate four such chartered flights in 2025, with the aim of taking more than 500 travellers from Singapore to Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region. - The Straits Times/ANN
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan
Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. PHOTO: ST FILE Changi Airport exploring resumption of direct flights between Singapore and Uzbekistan SINGAPORE - Singapore airport officials are considering restarting direct flights to Uzbekistan as travel demand to the Central Asian country grows. A spokeswoman for Changi Airport Group (CAG) told The Straits Times on May 29 that the operator is in the early stages of exploring the resumption of services to Uzbekistan, and will provide more details when available. Uzbekistan, she noted, has 'strong destination appeal' and is experiencing burgeoning travel demand. 'Central Asia is a growing region that CAG is looking at developing direct flights to,' she added. Uzbekistan's state-owned airport operator, Uzbekistan Airports, said on May 20 that it had discussed the prospect of opening up a flight route between Singapore and Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, with CAG representatives. The operator added that CAG had expressed 'high interest' in relaunching direct flights between the two cities amid growing interest in Uzbekistan as a tourist destination. Particular attention was paid to Tashkent International Airport's role as a strategic transit point for passenger flows between Europe and Asia during the talks . Uzbekistan Airports said it has agreed to work with CAG on issues related to logistics and marketing, and to clarify the regulatory procedures needed to launch the flights. Uzbekistan Airways previously operated a twice-weekly service that plied a circular route between Tashkent, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. But the airline dropped the Singapore leg in April 2019 due to low traffic from Changi. This was despite Singapore citizens being allowed to enter Uzbekistan visa-free for 30 days since 2018. Post-pandemic, interest in establishing air links with Uzbekistan and other parts of Central Asia reignited as the region's aviation sector grew rapidly. The boom has been driven in part by Russian airspace closures, which has led to airlines passing through or flying over Central Asia. Another factor is the liberalisation of air transport there, with more flights by foreign airlines and new local carriers sprouting up to take advantage of the new traffic. In 2023, Changi Airports International, the consultancy and investment arm of CAG, inked a deal with Uzbekistan Airports to optimise operations at Tashkent International Airport and develop a feasibility study for a new airport project. Former president Halimah Yacob and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam also spoke favourably in 2023 and 2024 about plans by Kazakhstan's flag carrier Air Astana to launch direct flights to Singapore, though this has yet to happen. Independent analyst Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation said passenger traffic between Uzbekistan and South-east Asia has more than doubled since 2019. But without a direct air link, Changi Airport has not benefited from this growth. There are non-stop flights from Tashkent to Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc in Vietnam; Phuket and Bangkok in Thailand; and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The Kuala Lumpur-Tashkent market is also set to expand, with budget airline AirAsia planning to join Batik Air Malaysia and Uzbekistan Airways in offering non-stop flights between the two cities. Malaysia Airlines recently included the route in its long-term network plan as well. In 2024, Tashkent International Airport handled more than 8.7 million domestic and international passengers. In 2019, it handled fewer than five million. Mr Sobie, however, warned that a direct Singapore-Tashkent route will not be easy to sustain. Uzbekistan does not attract many Singaporeans, and most Uzbeks travelling to South-east Asia are price-sensitive holidaymakers, he said. Hence, a viable Singapore-Tashkent flight will need to rely heavily on passengers transiting through Singapore to leisure destinations in South-east Asia. In his view, this makes Singapore Airlines (SIA) or its low-cost arm Scoot the more feasible options to operate the route. But whether the airline group will take such a risk remains to be seen. In response to queries, SIA Group said it regularly reviews its network operations and will adjust them in response to travel demand. Uzbekistan Airways did not respond to queries. Travel agencies said a non-stop flight to Tashkent will mean greater convenience and a shorter flight time of seven hours, compared with more than 10 hours today, with stopovers in places such as Kuala Lumpur or Dubai. For tour operators, a direct flight will cut costs, simplify logistics and allow shorter itineraries, said Singapore-based travel agency Adventures Unlimited. 'Overtourism in Europe and Japan has prompted travellers to seek unique experiences. Central Asia's attractions, visa-free access, affordability and exotic cultures appeal to adventurous travellers,' it added. Mr Ganesha Balakrishnan, who owns Kyrgyzstan-based travel agency The Untold Direction, said there are still factors deterring Singaporeans from visiting Central Asia, such as cultural unfamiliarity and misconceptions about safety. Yet interest in the region is growing steadily. The Untold Direction, which has a mostly Singaporean and Malaysian clientele, ran more than 30 tours in Central Asia in 2024. So far in 2025, it has confirmed more than 50 tours. Mr Balakrishan said there is also a sizeable Uzbek diaspora in Singapore that could benefit from a non-stop flight. It is a similar story for Chan Brothers Travel, which offers nine tours to Central Asia. Ms Tan Jie Ni, the agency's marketing communications executive, noted broad enthusiasm for tours to the region not only from seasoned travellers, but also from multi-generational groups and young professionals. Recognising this, it launched a chartered direct flight between Singapore and Tashkent in December 2024, which led to a 20 per cent increase in tour bookings. The agency will sign an agreement in July with Bhutan flag carrier Drukair to operate four such chartered flights in 2025, with the aim of taking more than 500 travellers from Singapore to Uzbekistan and the wider Central Asian region. Kok Yufeng is a transport correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Desmond Lee: The son also rises, a younger 4G leader emerging in a Gen X nation
The Independent Singapore may have spotted a rising star. When Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled his new Cabinet on May 25, one remark stood out to seasoned observers: Wong singled out Desmond Lee for praise. Veteran journalist PN Balji quickly picked up on the cue, writing that Lee 'could go on to bigger things.' Wong's words were measured but significant: 'Desmond brings a quiet but effective style of leadership. He listens actively and persistently, engages widely with stakeholders, and takes decisive actions when needed.' For Singapore, a country known for pragmatism over pageantry, such praise carries weight. Unlike some of Singapore's past political giants — the fiery Lee Kuan Yew or the eloquent David Marshall — Lee speaks with understated clarity. His manner is conversational and grounded, in tune with the present generation, which favours simplicity over grand rhetoric. Steady rise Lee's rise has been steady. His appointment as Education Minister was already a signal of trust and importance — education, after all, holds a special place in Singapore's governance. It has historically been the portfolio of many political heavyweights, including Goh Keng Swee, Tony Tan, Teo Chee Hean and Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Lee stepped into this charmed circle with the added distinction of family legacy: his father, Lee Yock Suan, was also Education Minister from 1992 to 1997. Only one other father-son pair — Lee Kuan Yew and Lee Hsien Loong — have both served as ministers in Singapore, underscoring how rare such political continuity is in the city-state. Now, Desmond Lee has been appointed chairman of the People's Action Party (PAP), a position that boosts not only his own stature but also affirms the generational transition underway. The move strengthens the grip of the PAP's so-called '4G' — the fourth-generation leadership team — on the party machinery. With Prime Minister Wong as secretary-general and Lee as chairman, the party's helm is now firmly in 4G hands. That generational label, '4G', doesn't necessarily refer to age. It marks the fourth leadership cohort since Singapore's independence: the founding leaders led by Lee Kuan Yew (1G); the Goh Chok Tong generation (2G); the Lee Hsien Loong Cabinet (3G); and now, the current team under Wong. Many of today's 4G ministers, including Wong, Heng Swee Keat, and Lee himself, entered politics around the 2011 general election. Still, age is not irrelevant. The former PAP chairman, Heng Swee Keat, was widely expected to become the next Prime Minister. But in 2021, Heng, then 60, stepped aside, citing concerns about his ability to lead the country over a sufficiently long period. This opened the door for the younger Wong, now 52. Desmond Lee, at 48, is even younger — close to the national median age of 42.8 — and well positioned for a long and meaningful political future. Gen X nation In fact, Singapore today is very much a Generation X nation, led by Gen Xers like Wong and Lee. While a few 3G figures remain in Cabinet — most notably Lee Hsien Loong as Senior Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan at Foreign Affairs, and K. Shanmugam at Home Affairs and National Security — many others, including Teo Chee Hean, Ng Eng Hen and Maliki Osman, have stepped down. The character of the Cabinet has shifted. It is now younger and more technocratic. See also Minister Lim: Please join our created platform to find jobs Netizens have cottoned on to the growing importance of Desmond Lee. As hatboyslim says on the subreddit r/Singapore: 'Technically, in party protocol, the chairman has precedence over the secretary-general, although the secretary-general is the leader of the party. 'This is a big party promotion for the son of Lee Yock Suan. This adds to his promotion to Minister for Education, which is one of the big four portfolios (finance, defence, home affairs, and education).'' Recalling how he and his PAP team beat the Progress Singapore Party at Jurong West GRC in the recent general election, serendeepities notes in the same subreddit: 'The GE showed his pull in West Coast and from those who have worked with him, he is well regarded albeit someone that is more of a quiet technocrat. Though he tends to be understated, his trajectory remains constant and will likely continue to be a presence especially in the 4-5G and the PAP. All the more so given his age.' Like PM Lawrence Wong Desmond Lee's trajectory has notably mirrored Wong's. Wong has been education minister, too, and both have served as national development ministers. Lee, a lawyer by training, does not have Wong's background in economics. Yet both have managed portfolios that touch the core of Singapore's long-term strategy — housing, infrastructure, education, and urban planning. As National Development Minister, Lee took over from Wong in 2020 and remained in the role through the 2025 general election. During his tenure, he oversaw policies to increase housing supply, upgrade public estates, and steer long-term planning initiatives. These are issues that directly affect the lives of everyday Singaporeans. Lee's appointment as PAP chairman is the latest step in a carefully built political path. He isn't being thrust into unfamiliar territory; he has already served as the party's assistant secretary-general and has sat on the PAP's Central Executive Committee. While the chairman's role doesn't usually generate headlines like ministerial portfolios do, it remains an influential post — previously held by political heavyweights such as Toh Chin Chye, Ong Teng Cheong, Tony Tan, and Khaw Boon Wan. There's no doubt that Lee's political résumé is substantial — and growing. From a legacy family to high-profile ministries, from quiet leadership to party command, he has built a career marked by steadiness rather than spectacle. The question now is not whether he will go on to bigger things, but just how far he might go.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
60 years of relations between Singapore, France have benefited both peoples: President Tharman
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during a state banquet in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife held at the Raffles Hotel on May 30. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG 60 years of relations between Singapore, France have benefited both peoples: President Tharman SINGAPORE – The past 60 years of diplomatic relations between Singapore and France have delivered tangible benefits to both peoples through economic cooperation, innovation and the 'cultural brew' they create together, said President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. He was speaking at a state banquet in honour of French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife held at the Raffles Hotel on May 30, hours after the launch of a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries where they agreed to deepen collaboration in areas such as defence, security, artificial intelligence and nuclear power. Mr Tharman said: 'We are expanding our ties and making something substantive, something unique and certainly mutually beneficial, something to be treasured in an increasingly troubled world.' Speaking to a crowd that included members of both countries' Cabinets, Mr Tharman said: 'Your presence in Singapore and your upcoming address at the Shangri-La Dialogue underscores the growing engagement between our regions. 'We share the same fundamental belief in the importance of an open, stable and rules-based global system.' Mr Macron, in a speech following Mr Tharman, emphasised the long and beneficial relationship between the two countries. 'After 60 years, we can say that we understand each other... 60 years of discussions, visits, common events. 'In a few decades, your city-state has seen exceptional growth, and today it's a major hub of exchange and progress at the heart of South-east Asia, and I have to say that Singapore is clearly a source of inspiration and admiration.' A long and fruitful history Mr Macron's state visit to Singapore marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, but the relationship goes back much further, Mr Tharman said. He raised the examples of French missionary and educator Father Jean-Marie Beurel who helped found several schools including St Joseph's Institution, and French naturalists Alfred Duvaucel and Pierre-Medard Diard who arrived in the 1800s and whose collection of specimens, notes, and drawings captured the evolution of Singapore's natural history. He said: 'Our more recent history has seen layer being added on layer of French-Singapore ties.' France was in 2012 the first European nation with whom Singapore established a strategic partnership, Mr Tharman noted. French firms now make up the largest number of European companies registered in Singapore, he added. There are more than 2,600 of these. He said: 'Companies like CMA-CGM, TotalEnergies, and Alstom are leveraging on Singapore's ecosystem to grow their footprint in the Asia-Pacific. 'Singapore's investment firms GIC and Temasek are significant investors in France, and leading enterprises such as CapitaLand and ComfortDelgro are stepping up their presence.' French President Emmanuel Macron (left) and his wife Ms Brigitte Macron (second from right) with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam (second from left) and his spouse Ms Jane Ittogi on May 30. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG French expertise is also helping to shape Singapore's urban infrastructure, he said. RATP Dev is working together with Singapore operationalise the upcoming Jurong Region MRT Line – the first foreign operator to be involved in the Republic's rail industry, Mr Tharman noted. Mr Macron also emphasised the long relationship between the two countries. He said in response to Mr Tharman: 'You referred yourself to Pierre-Médard and Alfred Duvaucel, who drew up a list of the islands' fauna and flora at the end of the 19th century, but since this moment, even before your independence, our relationship is based on this exchange between our institutions.' Today, 200 French researchers live in Singapore, and its National Center for Scientific Research has four research labs here, he noted. Mr Macron said: 'In those 60 years (of diplomatic relations), France and Singapore have never stopped advancing together, in particular in the field of science, where we have worked on building a fruitful partnership for many years.' Referencing the role founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had in the genesis of this bilateral relationship, Mr Macron said: '10 years after his death, France has not forgotten what it owes to Lee Kuan Yew on many topics, the tireless instigator of our bilateral cooperation project, and today we acknowledge the fruit of his labor, as seen in the exchange of students, researchers and entrepreneurs between our two countries, nourishing our friendship.' More to come Looking forward, Mr Tharman said the new CSP reflects both countries' commitments to 'expand and deepen collaboration with a sharper focus on areas that matter for the future.' These include emerging and frontier technologies in sustainability, defence and security, he said. Mr Tharman said: 'President Macron and Prime Minister Wong also witnessed the conclusion of wide-ranging bilateral agreements, each opening new possibilities, and they witnessed the renewal of a roadmap for deeper collaboration in artificial intelligence, online safety and quantum technology.' In response, Mr Macron said: 'We have such a range of cooperation which is totally unique. Our defence cooperation, shared support of multi-lateralism and joint investment in breakthrough technologies are all paving the way for future generations.' He added that the agreements are not just a statement of intentions but a tangible roadmap to 'invent together' in those fields. He said: 'It is a promise we are making to the generations that follow so that we can tackle together the next 60 years with the brave spirits of the pioneers and your founding fathers.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
CNA
3 days ago
- Business
- CNA
Watch live: PM Lawrence Wong and French President Macron's joint press conference
SINGAPORE: French President Emmanuel Macron and Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong are holding a joint press conference at Parliament House on Friday (May 30). Mr Macron and Mr Wong are due to witness the exchange of several memorandums of understanding between Singapore and France that include cooperation in areas such as defence and security, legal matters, artificial intelligence and transport, among others. The French president is in Singapore for a two-day state visit. He received a ceremonial welcome at Parliament House on Friday and called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who will also host a state banquet for Mr Macron and his wife.
