Airlines race to open new routes to world's second-richest country
By Trong Lan July 21, 2026 | 05:00 am PT
Airlines are expanding direct services to Singapore, the world's second-richest country by GDP per capita in The Economist's 2025 ranking, as rising travel demand is fueled by the city-state's low street crime, high safety standards, and thriving tourism sector.
Vietnam's newest carrier, Sun PhuQuoc Airways, will begin operating one daily round-trip direct flight between Singapore and Phu Quoc starting July 25.
Vietjet has announced a new direct route between Vietnam's coastal city of Nha Trang and Singapore, with four weekly flights on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday starting Dec. 11.
Malaysia-based AirBorneo opened ticket sales on July 13 for its first international route, linking Kuching and Singapore. The airline will begin operating daily flights between Kuching International Airport and Singapore Changi Airport's Terminal 4 from July 22.
AirBorneo chief executive officer Megat Ardian Aminuddin said Singapore's role as a key regional and global aviation hub would help create new opportunities for tourism growth through the route, New Straits Times reported.
Oman Air earlier this month launched flights from Muscat to Singapore.
"Singapore is one of the major global hubs... and Singaporeans are among the most avid travelers in the world," Oman Air CEO Con Korfiatis said as quoted by Reuters.
"Oman has moved from being a transit point... to now also being a tourist destination, and that has created a different market opportunity."
Singapore previously pledged to invest S$740 million (US$584 million) into tourism development projects over the next five years after the country posted record tourism receipts of S$32.8 billion in 2025, with 16.9 million international visitors.
The city-state welcomed 7 million visitor arrivals from January to May, down 1.2% year-on-year, according to Singapore Tourism Board's data.
Because of its reputation for security, public cleanliness, and family-friendly attractions, it consistently tops search and preference lists for international travelers.
