Singapore Airlines posts first quarterly profit since start of pandemic

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines Ltd posted on Thursday its first profitable quarter since December 2019, underpinned by a strong cargo market and an improvement in passenger numbers as the city-state eased some of its pandemic-led border restrictions.

Last September, Singapore started quarantine-free travel from select countries, a list that has expanded over time to include major markets such as the United States, Britain and neighbouring Malaysia.

The carrier, however, said the overall air cargo demand is expected to ease in the fourth quarter in tandem with “seasonal fluctuations, and the traditional slowdown in exports during holiday period.”

The airline said it will “continue to keep a tight rein…