CMB flights are mostly for cargo. Airlines can make money with an empty cabin but a full cargo load. In fact, you can only have limited cabin load with a full cargo load. The flight will continue as long as there is healthy cargo load. The same applies to SQ CMB flights.@:-)

Singapore chili crabs are mostly from Sri Lanka.:p

Thanks for the info! @:-) This explains a lot. Didn't think about the cargo component. And loading in CMB actually took quite a while.
CMB is also the first airport I have seen where the duty free shops stock washing machines.

Gives a whole new relevance to the term "everything bar the kitchen sink" when talking about carry-on luggage!

Aimed at the guest worker returning home from the Gulf market, rather than mileage runners. ;)

Is that on departure also or just arrival? I can imagine the look you'd get arriving at Australia lugging a washing machine :D

I presume it's only on arrival. Have seen this many times in developing countries with very high taxes - though less so in the last few years.

It is for arrival only. :p Arrival and departure are segregated and have different duty-free stores. Me guess not too much demand for washing machines prior to departure from CMB. :D:p

Yeah, I was very tempted to buy a washing machine upon arrival, then round to the departure area with it and see whether I can check it in. But then I got distracted b(u)y something else.

On a serious note, I found CMB to be a very organized and efficient airport. Positively surprised.

Maybe by the national anthem that plays every 30 minutes or so during which Sri Lankas stop working/moving to pay tribute to it. :D