Singapore Airlines (SIA) has introduced a pioneering air-ferry bundle designed to offer passengers from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area a smoother and more comfortable travel experience to Singapore.
Now available through designated travel agents, the service links six ports within the Greater Bay Area to Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), making SIA the first nonlocal carrier to provide such a service in the region.
The initiative underscores SIA’s commitment to leveraging Hong Kong’s strategic position as a key transportation hub and catering to the evolving travel needs of the Greater Bay Area, a burgeoning market with a population of 87 million and strong business ties to Singapore.
In partnership with Hong Kong ferry operator Chu Kong Passenger Transport, the bundle allows SIA passengers to take ferry services from the six Guangdong ports directly to HKIA, where they can board flights to Singapore.
The ports involved are Humen port in Dongguan; Nansha Ferry Terminal and Pazhou Passenger Terminal in Guangzhou; Shenzhen Airport Ferry Terminal and Shekou Port in Shenzhen; and Zhongshan Port.
Under the new interline agreement, passengers can check their luggage and tickets from these ports directly onto their connecting SIA flight, or vice versa, without needing to check in again during transit in Hong Kong.
For example, passengers departing from Shenzhen’s Shekou Port can complete their check-in procedures and receive both the boarding pass for the flights and tickets for the ferry services. The high-speed ferry takes only 30 minutes to reach HKIA, with checked luggage awaiting the passengers in Singapore after their flight. This new approach significantly reduces travel time compared to traditional land transfers.
Details of ferry services are available on the Chu Kong Passenger Transport website, with frequencies depending on the port — from twice to 14 times a day.
Travelers can make reservations with travel agents via Travelsky, an IT services provider specializing in air travel and tourism industries. Currently, the service is exclusively available to passengers traveling between Hong Kong and Singapore, but SIA plans to extend it to more destinations in the future.
Regional commitment
The new interline service responds to several key demand trends within the Greater Bay Area, including a growing preference for seamless multimodal transportation solutions among business travelers; increasing connectivity demands between Singapore and Greater Bay Area cities; and travelers seeking more convenient alternatives to land border crossings.
SIA highlighted that as Hong Kong International Airport continues to serve as the premier international gateway within the Greater Bay Area, the interline partnership strengthens connectivity with the broader regional population. It added that by combining Hong Kong’s established infrastructure and international flight network with Chu Kong’s extensive ferry services, the partnership aims to create a more integrated travel experience that supports the region’s economic integration initiatives.
As of September, SIA operates five daily direct flights each way between HKIA and Singapore’s Changi Airport, with a flight duration of around four hours. In late February, the airline unveiled a new service at the MTR Airport Express Hong Kong Station, enabling passengers to check in and drop off luggage from 24 hours to a minimum of 90 minutes before departure, offering travelers increased flexibility in their travel plans.
In addition to Hong Kong, SIA offers a daily direct flight connecting Singapore with Shenzhen, and twice-daily services to Guangzhou.
The ferry service reflects strengthened intercity transportation links within the Greater Bay Area. Founded in 1985, Chu Kong Passenger Transport has emerged as a premier ferry operator in Hong Kong, with an annual passenger volume exceeding 10 million.
The company operates over 200 sailings daily across 20 routes connecting Guangdong cities, Hong Kong, and Macao, including multiple destinations in urban districts and airports.
The company’s Deputy General Manager Zhang Yu expressed enthusiasm about integrating their extensive ferry network with SIA’s flight services to enhance passenger convenience.
SIA Hong Kong explained that this collaboration provides an improved travel experience for millions of residents from the Greater Bay Area, while enhancing Hong Kong as a key transportation hub in the region.
By offering seamless sea-air connectivity, the multimodal travel approach enhances operational efficiency, and facilitates the movement of people and goods, elevating Hong Kong’s reputation as a vital gateway to the Greater Bay Area. The airline emphasized the crucial role of this positioning as the city cluster continues to rise as a leading global economic powerhouse, fueling opportunities for business, cultural exchange, and global connectivity.
Moreover, SIA reaffirmed its dedication to proactively addressing customers’ needs for efficient and flexible travel options, particularly in the booming Greater Bay Area market, connecting them with its broad global network.
By prioritizing customer needs, embracing innovation and maintaining adaptability, SIA aims to solidify its regional leadership in delivering exceptional travel experiences amid a highly competitive landscape, while cultivating more partnerships with stakeholders in the region in the future.
Singapore Airlines, the national carrier of Singapore, consistently ranks among the world’s leading airlines. The airline is committed to the constant enhancement of the three main pillars of its brand promise: Service Excellence, Product Leadership, and Network Connectivity. Together with its subsidiary airline, Scoot, SIA operates flights to over 120 destinations worldwide.
