SINGAPORE – According to the Smarter Summer Report released by Skyscanner, travelers planning trips shortly after the National Day holiday on August 9 could benefit from reduced airfares. The report, published in April, indicates that the week of August 10 to 16 offers the lowest airfare options for flights departing from Singapore. Brendan Walsh, an expert in travel trends at Skyscanner, noted, “Summer holiday demand typically starts to dip around early to mid-August as much of the peak leisure travel demand would have passed.” He elaborated that mid-August often sees a decrease in demand while airlines maintain high flight capacity from summer schedules, resulting in lower fares.
Despite rising costs, the desire to travel remains strong among Singaporeans, with 91 percent indicating plans to travel during the summer months, although 59 percent are reconsidering their trips due to increased flight prices. The report highlights destinations with lower fares during the week of August 10, including Perth, Melbourne, and Sapporo, with average round-trip airfares costing about $433 to Perth and $739 to Sapporo. Notably, in June, Langkawi, Bali, Phuket, and Bangkok emerged as some of the most budget-friendly options, with average round-trip fares below $260, and prices to Phuket starting at $192.
Travelers are also facing challenges related to trip planning, with Walsh noting that managing costs is the primary concern. Factors such as avoiding crowds, coordinating with others, and experiencing “decision paralysis” are common issues. The report indicates that 58 percent of respondents find planning a group holiday more stressful than organizing a wedding, while 56 percent believe it is more stressful than starting a new job.
To alleviate cost concerns, Skyscanner recommends alternative summer destinations like Krabi, Cebu, Haikou, and Siem Reap, with round-trip airfare to Haikou in June averaging around $340. Additionally, timing is crucial, as Sundays are typically the most economical days to depart from Singapore. Walsh explained that the lower prices on Sundays can be attributed to travel patterns, where cost-conscious travelers often leave before the weekend and return on Sundays, minimizing demand for outbound flights on that day.
However, differing data from other travel platforms may present a contrasting view. For instance, Expedia’s 2026 Air Hacks Report identified Fridays as the cheapest day for international flights and August as the least expensive month. Walsh attributes these discrepancies to variations in data analysis methodologies and the scope of the datasets. He suggests that travelers use these insights as a foundation but still conduct their own research to find the best deals. Flexibility in travel dates can lead to significant savings, even if it means shifting departure dates by a few days around preferred travel periods.
Source: The Straits Times
