Singapore Airlines begins flights with fully vaccinated crew

File Picture

Singapore Airlines (SIA) began operating flights on Thursday with full sets of crew members vaccinated against COVID-19 as the city-state seeks to rejuvenate its status as an international travel hub.

The carrier said three flights with a fully vaccinated crew - to Jakarta, Bangkok and Phnom Penh - were among the first in the world.

The Singapore government has urged workers at the national airline to sign up for its inoculation programme.

The carrier said more than 90 per cent of its cabin crew and pilots have signed up for the vaccine. Around 85 per cent of those have received at least the first dose, and many have begun getting the second dose, it added. SIA expects all those who have signed up to receive the second dose by the end of March.

Singapore lacks a domestic travel market and international travel is expected to take until 2024 to rebound to 2019 levels, according to industry estimates.

Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways has become the world's first carrier to vaccinate its entire flight crew against COVID-19.

 

More from International News

  • Israeli strikes kill dozens in Gaza as US pushes for ceasefire

    Israeli military strikes across Gaza killed at least 22 people on Wednesday, Palestinian medics said, as the US stepped up efforts to overcome sticking points between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire to end the war.

  • Ukraine hits Russian oil depot serving airfield

    Ukraine struck a Russian oil depot that serves a military airfield in the Russian city of Engels, Ukraine's military said on Wednesday.

  • Tibet earthquake death toll passes 120

    At least 126 people have been killed by Tuesday's 6.8 earthquake in Tibet, while more than 400 people trapped in the foothills of the Himalayas have been rescued, and over 30,000 residents relocated, as the search for survivors continues.

  • Wildfire rages in Los Angeles forcing 30,000 to evacuate

    A rapidly growing wildfire raged across an upscale section of Los Angeles on Tuesday, destroying homes and creating traffic jams as 30,000 people evacuated beneath huge plumes of smoke that covered much of the metropolitan area.

  • Powerful earthquake kills at least 95 in Tibet

    A magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocked the northern foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet's holiest cities on Tuesday, Chinese authorities said, killing at least 95 people and shaking buildings in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and India.

On Virgin Radio today

  • Non Stop Hits

    Midnight - 6:00am

    The UAE's #1 Hit Music Station with no interruptions

  • The Kris Fade Show

    6:00am - 10:00am

    Kris, Priti and Rossi host the UAE's biggest radio show. It's full of fun, laughs and it's Where The Stars Live.

Trending on Virgin Radio