Airlines

Singapore’s Changi Airport to introduce passport-free travel

Singapore’s Changi Airport is set to go passport-free in 2024, with automated immigration processing. According to officials, the airport will use automatic immigration clearance, allowing travelers to leave the city-state without passports by using just biometric data.

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According to Singapore Airport’s communications minister Josephine Teo, this action will rely on biometric data and make Singapore one of the first few nations in the world to implement automated immigration clearance. The Singapore Airport has already used biometric technology, including facial recognition software, and this will raise the bar for the world’s busiest airport.

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The use of tangible travel documents like boarding cards and passports will be replaced by a “single token of authentication” that will be created using biometrics and used at a variety of automated contact points, including baggage drop, immigration clearance, and boarding.

Josephine Teo, the communications minister, highlighted that “our immigration systems must be capable of handling this substantial and expanding volume of travelers efficiently, ensuring a positive clearance experience while maintaining stringent security measures.”

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Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.