Recent news has highlighted way too many instances of flight disruptions and baggage delays. How can you prevent yourself from falling victim to unfortunate travel circumstances beyond your control? Travel insurance coverage might be the solution you need.
What exactly is causing the delays and disruptions? It all boils down to one hard-pressed factor – manpower.
The pandemic hampered worldwide travel in 2020, and since then, thousands of airport and airline workers were laid off. The International Air Transport Association divulged that the industry is now working at about 44 million-strong capacity, almost half of what it used to be in 2019.
The supply-demand dilemma in the travel industry
Now picture this.
Many countries have either eased their COVID-19 restrictions or resumed to normal life. This makes it easier for people to go on international trips. However, while there are more individuals catching flights, the increase of airline and airport staffing is trudging behind.
The result? Precisely what we’re seeing right now. These are only made worse by COVID-19 outbreaks within the airport staff circle, dampening the situation even further. Additionally, there are strikes happening in Europe, even among pilots.
What’s happening in airports in Europe and the rest of the world?
Flying into European countries has been chaotic, to say the least.
Heathrow Airport, for one, was at the heart of an ongoing strike with over 700 British Airway check-in staff demanding better pay. Luckily, their efforts to reinstate their pay (a 10% pay-cut was issued during the pandemic) seems to have borne fruit, as the strike was just suspended (July 7) after a new pay offer.
The London airport has been facing other issues, including flight cancellations with snaking long queues and extended waiting times.
France has faced its share of flight cancellations in June, and Spain this month, driven by demands for better pay and working conditions.
The same effects are eminent in other countries across the globe, with shortage of pilots in America, and long queues in Australia and India.
When will the flight disruptions and baggage delays start to ease?
CNBC quotes Stephen Furlong, a senior industry analyst from Davy, providing his view on the current travel disruption situations.
Furlong predicts that the travel disruptions will continue into the summer. It could be due to ground handling, security, or labour issues from airlines.
Finding talent to fill in the gaps will also take time, given the change in the labour market and the Great Resignation. Workers today prioritise work-life balance, and are more willing to quit their jobs.
What can you do to avoid getting stuck in an airport?
In the current situation, it’s best to steer away from travelling to destinations with ongoing flight disruptions and baggage delays.
Radarbox’s list of flight disruptions between April 1 and June 29 include London, Frankfurt, Italy, France, Germany, Turkey, and Norway.
Here are three precautionary steps you can take to manage the situation as a passenger:
- Book hotels or airbnbs with flexible cancellation policies
- Pack essentials in a carry-on
- Include a buffer time to accommodate any time-related disruptions
Travel insurance coverage is a necessity during the new normal
While it may seem expensive to include travel insurance on top of your usual costs, it has proven to be a dependable shield against travel woes. With travel insurance, you’re covered for a myriad of instances, including:
- Travel medical expenses (Certain plans in Singapore cover COVID-19, too)
- Loss or damaged baggage
- Trip cancellations or delays
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Pre-existing conditions
SingSaver's Best Price Travel Campaign: All successful applicants of participating Travel Insurance products will receive 1x (single trip) or 3x (annual trip) draw chance to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed (up to a maximum of $2,000) and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Valid till 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply.
| Travel Insurance | Premium for Individual Cover | Covid-19 Coverage | Promotion |
|
Etiqa (TIQ) Travel Insurance
|
from S$39 (for 1 week in Asean) |
Yes |
Single Trip: Use the promo code TIQSINGSAVER to get 48% off. T&Cs apply. Valid till 26 Sep 2023. T&Cs apply. Annual Trip: Use promo code TIQSINGSAVER to get 60% off COVID-19 add-on. Valid till 30 Sep. T&Cs apply. Plus, till 30th September, every 58th sign up scores a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Additionally, enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply. Plus, new customers get additional S$30 off on top of the discount with voucher code FREETRAVEL. Valid till 30 Sep 2023. T&Cs apply. Additionally, stand to win S$3,000 in TIQ Travel Insurance Monthly Lucky Draw Campaign 2023 (Fulfillment by TIQ). Valid till 31 Dec 2023. T&Cs apply. |
|
FWD Travel Insurance
|
from S$22.50 (for 1 week in Asean) |
Yes |
Use the promo code ENDSEP to get 35% off on Single Trip and 30% off Annual Trip plans. Valid till 26 September 2023. T&Cs apply. Receive 1x Airalo eSim with 3GB data (minimum premium $60). Valid till 3o Sep 2023. T&Cs apply. Plus, till 30th September, every 58th sign up scores a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Additionally, enjoy up to 3x chances to enter our Weekly Lucky Draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. T&Cs apply. |
|
Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance
|
from S$11.05 (for 1 week in ASEAN) |
Yes |
Receive up to $50 Grab Vouchers and 35% discount plus an EXCLUSIVE Agoda promo code when you apply using the promo code SSVTL35. Valid till 30 September 2023. Additionally, enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw. 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply. |
|
Allianz Travel Insurance
|
from S$34.10 (for 1 week in Asean) |
Yes |
Get 35% discount and receive up to S$50 worth of Grab vouchers when you use the promo code G035. Valid till 30 Sep 2023. T&Cs apply. Additionally, enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply. |
|
MSIG Travel Easy
|
from S$34.10 (for 1 week in ASEAN) |
Yes |
Enjoy 40% off when you apply for Single Trips and 20% off for Annual Plan plus get up to $38 Grab Vouchers when you purchase now!! Valid till 31 Sep 2023. T&Cs apply Enjoy up to 3x chances to enter our Weekly Lucky Draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. T&Cs apply. |
|
Singlife Travel Insurance
|
from S$46.20 (for 1 week in ASEAN) | Yes |
Score an Airalo eSIM with 3GB data and receive it before you fly when you apply now! Valid till 30 Sep 2023. T&Cs apply. Additionally, enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply. Single Trip: Enjoy a 25% discount when you use the promo code TRAVEL25. Valid till 30 Sep 2023. T&Cs apply. |
|
Allied World Travel Insurance
|
from S$45 (for one week in Asean) | Yes |
Single Trip: Enjoy a 30% discount when you apply now! Valid till 30 Sep 2023. Annual Trip: Enjoy a 10% discount when you apply now! Valid till 30 Sep 2023. Additionally, enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply |
|
AIG Travel Guard® Direct
|
from S$30 (for 1 week in Asean) | Yes |
Single Trip: Apply promo code SSTGD and receive up to $50 worth of Grab eVouchers! (minimum premium $100, fullfilment by AIG) Valid till 30 Sep 2023. T&Cs apply. Annual Trip: Get up to 6 Plaza Premium Lounge Access Passes with the promo code SSTGD when you apply NOW! Fulfillment by AIG. Valid till 30 Sep 2023. T&Cs apply. Additionally, enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply. |
|
Great Eastern Travel Insurance
|
from S$52 (for one week in Asean) | Yes |
Single Trip: Get an 20% discount when you use the promo code TSP20S. Annual Trip: Get an 10% discount when you use the promo code TSP10A. Additionally, enjoy 1x chance (Single Trip) or 3x chances (Annual Trip) to enter our weekly lucky draw, where 1 lucky winner will stand to have their flight ticket reimbursed and 12 lucky winners will receive a Samsonite Volant Spinner 68/25 EXP worth S$480. T&Cs apply. Promotion ends on 31 December 2023. T&Cs apply. |
Travel insurance coverage for baggage and flight disruptions
Now, let’s see what insurers in Singapore provide local travellers for baggage and flight disruption coverage.
| Insurance Provider | Travel Insurance Coverage | COVID-19 Coverage |
| FWD Travel Insurance | Up to S$7,500 for theft or damage to personal belongings Up to S$900 for baggage delay Up to S$1,000 for travel delay |
Yes, as an add-on |
| Starr TraveLead Travel Insurance | Up to S$7,500 for personal baggage cover Up to S$1,200 for baggage delay Up to S$500 for unused ticket entertainment |
Yes |
| Allianz Travel Insurance | Up to S$ 7,000 in personal baggage coverage Up to S$2,000 for travel delay Up to S$1,400 for baggage delay |
Yes |
| HLAS CovidSafe Travel Protect360 | Up to S$8,000 for baggage loss Up to S$1,500 for baggage delay Up to S$2,000 for travel postponement |
Yes |
| AIG Travel Guard Direct | Up to S$10,000 for loss of personal belongings Up to S$1,600 for baggage delays (due to collection at your destination airport) Up to $3,000 for travel delay |
Yes |
| Singlife Travel Insurance | Up to S$8,000 for baggage loss Up to S$2,000 for travel delay Up to S$2,000 for baggage delay |
Yes |
| MSIG TravelEasy | Up to S$1,500 for travel delay Up to S$400 for missed travel connection Up to $1,500 for baggage delay Up to $7,500 for baggage loss |
Yes |
| Etiqa (TIQ) | Up to S$10,000 for trip cancellation and deposit loss Up to S$200 for baggage delay Up to S$500 for travel delay Up to S$1,000 for travel postponement |
Yes, as an add-on |
*Terms and conditions apply
There are many plans available to cushion you (and your loved ones) during your getaway. To know more, click on the button below and compare the insurance plans in Singapore.
Read these next:
Best Travel Insurance Plans And Promotions In Singapore (July 2022)
What Is the Best Travel Insurance for Your Age?
When Is It Too Late to Get Travel Insurance?
Single Trip vs Annual: Which Travel Insurance Should You Get?
Money Confessions: I Skipped Travel Insurance During the Pandemic
Back to Blog