The Creation of Singapore Airlines

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From a single plane to an internationally respected brand, almost 60 years of innovation and service has propelled the growth of Singapore Airlines to become one of the world's leading carriers with an advanced fleet. We began with three flights per week, and today our route network spans 90 destinations in almost 40 countries. Years ago, Singapore Airlines was the first to offer free drinks and complimentary headsets. More recently, we pioneered inflight telecommunications services and unparalleled inflight luxury. Soon, we will be the first to put the world’s largest plane into service.


From First Flight to Soaring Height

http://www.plaza.ch/stones/Pictures/SingaporeAirlinesConsul.jpg

The history of Singapore Airlines dates back to 1 May 1947, when a Malayan Airways Limited Airspeed Consul took off from Singapore's Kallang Airport on the first of three scheduled flights a week to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang.


Over the next two decades, the Airline steadily acquired more planes. There were additions of the DC-4 Skymaster, Vickers Viscount, Lockheed Super Constellation, Bristol Brittania, Comet IV, and the Fokker F27.


On 16 September 1963, the Federation of Malaysia was born and the Airline became known as Malaysian Airways Limted. In May 1966, it became Malaysia-Singapore Airlines.
Later, the new look of the Airline evolved further with its first Boeings - three B707s, then a fleet of B737s.

In 1972, Malaysia-Singapore Airlines split up to become two entities - Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airline System.

This change was used to launch a new, more modern service approach on the airline. To house a special fleet of B747s, B7272s, and DC-10s, the new Singapore Airlines also boasted a new airfreight terminal and a B747 hangar.

http://www.concordesst.com/history/events/pictures/sia1.jpg


The Singapore Girl is Born

In 1968, the sarong kebaya uniform designed by French couturier Pierre Balmain was introduced and the internationally recognized image of the Singapore Girl debuted.

http://www.uniformfreak.com/uniforms/singapore/sia2.jpghttp://www.uniformfreak.com/uniforms/singapore/sia.jpg

http://www.plaza.ch/stones/Pictures/SIAChicago.jpg

http://www.plaza.ch/stones/Pictures/SingaporeAirlinesGirl_4.jpg


A Reputation for Inflight Firsts


The 1980s brought a number of firsts. The Singapore Airlines fleet continued to grow, in impressive and historic ways. It had the first A300 Superbus, the B747-300 Big Top, the B757 and the A310-200. We are also the first airline in the world to operate an international commercial flight across the Pacific Ocean with the 747-400 Megatop.


In the 1990s, Singapore Airlines revolutionized inflight communications and entertainment through the KrisFone - the first global sky telephone service - and KrisWorld offerings. At the same time, we sought to further improve our unparalleled fleet, placing a US$10.3-billion order for 22 B747-400s and 30 A340-300s in 1994, a US$12.7-billion order for 77 B777s in 1995, and a US$2.2-billion order for 10 A340-500s in 1998.


In 2000, the Airline placed 19 A380s on firm order and a US$4 billion order for 20 more B777-200s in 2001. The A380, the world's largest commercial plane will soon enter service with Singapore Airlines, making it another world’s first.

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The Highest Service Today

Singapore Airlines today is built solidly on our history, from the designer bone china flatware to the Bulgari cologne for First Class passengers, to our advanced fleet of aircraft and motivated employees.


Today, our inflight service is of the highest order. The Singapore Airlines World Gourmet Cuisine boasts a selection of exclusive and tantalising signature dishes, specially designed by a panel of nine internationally renowned chefs, and a wine list selected by three of the world's most discerning wine consultants.
KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines' award-winning and ever-expanding inflight entertainment system, offers customers a wide range of entertainment options. Customers can choose from a variety of movies, TV programmes, music CDs and channels. There is also an extensive selection of video games and interactive applications including Berlitz Word Traveler, a fully interactive learning programme.

Singapore Airlines became a full member of the global Star Alliance in 2000 and with it came "seamless" worldwide air travel. With the extensive network of partner airlines, connecting flights, frequent flyer points, and baggage clearance are now a breeze.

Singapore Airlines’ route network reaches out to over 90 destinations in close to 40 countries.

http://www.scanair.no/test/SQ-crew.jpg


A Future of Firsts
Singapore Airlines will make Aviation history when the Airline will become the first Airline to operate the world's largest aircraft, the Airbus A380.


The future promises to bring more firsts like these, as we at Singapore Airlines, continually strive to drive quality service through innovation.

http://www.aircraft-info.net/aircraft/jet_aircraft/airbus/A380/a380_01.jpg

The Fleet

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/sqfleet2.jpg

From the beginning, Singapore Airlines learned that investing in the future means being the safest, youngest, most advanced, and fuel efficient planes in the skies. (The average age of our passenger fleet is about 6 years. Tthis excludes the A310-300s and surplus B747-400s which have been decommissioned.) That tradition continues today with the addition of ever-more advanced aircraft.

B747-400
Engine Type: PW4056
In Operation: 27

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/sq744.jpg


B777-300
Engine Type: Rolls Royce Trent 892
In Operation: 12

B777-300ER
Engine Type: GE90-115B
In Fleet: -
On Firm Order: 19
On Option: 13

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/sq772.jpg

B777-200
Engine Type: Rolls Royce Trent 884
In Operation:31


B777-200ER
Engine Type: Rolls Royce Trent 892
In Operation: 15

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/sqfleet.jpg

(SIA has the flexibility to purchase any B777 model)

A340-500 (operates world's longest nonstop route from Singapore to New York)
Engine Type: Rolls Royce Trent 553
In Operation:5

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/sqa345.jpg


A380-800 (Will be the first airline to fly this aircraft)
Engine Type: Rolls Royce Trent 900
In Operation: -
On Firm Order: 10
On Option: 15

http://files.photojerk.com/RafflesCity/sqa380.jpg

Some cabin views

First Class

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/sqcabin.jpg

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Raffles Class

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/sqcabin6.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/sqcabin3.jpg

Economy Class

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/sqcabin4.jpg

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/sqcabin5.jpg

I was surfing their official website and here are their awards collected in from Jan-Sep 2006

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Singapore Airlines - International Award Winner (2000-2005)

2006
SEPTEMBER 2006
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific Awards 2006
Best Airline (15th consecutive year)
Best Asia-Pacific Airline
Best First Class
Best Business Class
Best Economy Class

SmartTravel Asia
Best in Travel 2006
World’s Best Cabin Service

Securities Investors Association (Singapore)
SIAS 7th Investors’ Choice Awards 2006 (2nd consecutive year)
Transport/Storage/Communications Category
Most Transparent Company Award 2006
Big Caps (above $1 billion) Categpry
Most Transparent Company Award 2006

JULY 2006

Reise & Preise Travel Magazine (Germany)
Best Economy Class (4th consecutive year)

Capital Magazine (Germany)
Intercontinental Airline of the Year 2006 (6th consecutive year)

Travel+Leisure Magazine (US)
World’s Best International Airline (11th consecutive year)

JUNE 2006

Business Traveller Middle East Award 2006
Best Asian Airline Serving the Middle East (5th consecutive year)

MAY 2006

Asian Banking & Finance Magazine
Asian Banking & Finance Travel Awards
Best Airline for Travel in Asia

CAAS
Changi Airline Awards
Top 10 Airlines by Passenger carriage 2005
Singapore Airlines

Fortune Magazine
Top 20 World’s Most Admired Companies
Singapore Airlines (Ranked 19th)

APRIL 2006

Reader’s Digest Trusted Brands
Airline Category
Platinum Award (Singapore)

Conferences Exhibitions Incentives Asia Pacific
Survey 2006
Best Airline for CEI Sector

MARCH 2006

Grand Travel Award (Sweden)
Intercontinental Airline (Ranked 2nd)

Travel & Leisure
Best International Airline for Value 2006

FEBRUARY 2006

Dutch Travel News
Best Long Haul Carrier 2005

DestinAsian (leading luxury travel and lifestyle magazine, Jakarta)
Readers’ Choice Awards
Best Airline
Best First Class
Best Business Class
Best Economy Class
Best Inflight Entertainment
Best Frequent Flyer Programme

Pacific Asia Travel Association
Grand Award in Marketing
SIA Recovery Initiatives – Maldives, Sri Lanka and Bali
Gold Award in the Marketing, Carrier (International-Air)
Boarding Pass Privileges Programme 2006

Irish Travel Trade News Awards
Best Airline to Asia & Australiasia

JANUARY 2006

Business Traveller Germany 2006
Best Airline to Asia and the Pacific Area (Overall)
Best Airline for Safety
Best Airline for Cabin Crew
Best Airline for Service on the Ground
Best Airline for Cabin Appearance
Best Airline for Catering

‘Lifestyle’ Periodical (China)
Travel Category
Most Influential Brand in 2006

‘Reisrevue’ (Dutch Travel Magazine)
Best Long Haul Carrier 2005

21 Jan 2004

Passengers of Singapore Airlines (SIA) can now feast their eyes on an exquisite painting titled “Perfection” which will adorn the elegant and spacious Raffles Class cabin on SIA’s ultra long-haul aircraft A345LeaderShip.

A soothing water-colour painting depicting the 18th green at the Tampines Course in Tanah Merah Country Club, “Perfection” is the first realistic painting of a golf scene to be featured in SIA’s aircraft. Specially commissioned by SIA for the Raffles Class cabin of the A345 aircraft, “Perfection” is the work of Mr. Chang Chin Fai, a Singaporean artist renowned for his paintings of familiar local scenes.

In an appreciation to Tanah Merah Country Club for allowing the artist to capture a scene of its golf course, SIA’s Senior Executive Vice President (Commercial), Mr. Michael Tan presented the painting to Mr. Sim Kee Boon, Chairman of Tanah Merah Country Club, in a simple ceremony on 16 January 2004. The copy of the painting will be showcased in the interiors of the A345LeaderShip cabin.

SIA ushered in 2004 with the arrival of its first ultra long-haul aircraft – the SIA A345LeaderShip. The A345LeaderShip will offer the longest non-stop commercial service in the world when it commences operations between Singapore and Los Angeles on 3 February 2004.

With the launch of the A345LeaderShip Singapore-Los Angeles service, SIA will operate a daily non-stop flight between Singapore and Los Angeles. Designed to keep globetrotters comfortable throughout the unprecedented 16 to 18 and a half-hour flight, SIA’s A345LeaderShip has a two-cabin interior with an enhanced Raffles (business) Class and a spacious Executive Economy Class that features the widest economy class seat in the industry at 20”.

http://www.singaporeair.com/images/TMCC_Painting.jpg

My first sightings of these planes and the interiors! Thanks raffi! :colgate:

And erm...they really gonna use those snack bar corners?? ;)

The Long And Short Of Commercial Aviation History - SIA's A345LeaderShip Prepares For Takeoff

30 Jan 2004

On February 3 at 4.00 p.m. (Singapore time), Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) new A345LeaderShip aircraft will lift off from Singapore’s Changi International Airport on the world’s longest scheduled non-stop flight.

Travelling 7,937 nautical miles over the Pacific Ocean, the 16 hour flight carries 181 passengers and links two of the world’s great cities: Singapore and Los Angeles. Travellers can dine on lobster thermidor in Raffles (business) Class, grab a snack in the world’s first Executive Economy Class passenger corner, or choose from over 250 inflight entertainment options on Krisworld – SIA’s in-flight entertainment system.

But the wonder of the world’s longest flight also begs the question: what’s the world’s shortest regularly scheduled flight?

The answer: a route between the Scottish Islands of Westray and Papa Westray with a scheduled flight time of two minutes.* However, it was once flown in 58 seconds (it’s amazing what a strong tail wind can do to get you to your destination ahead of time). The flights are operated by Loganair for British Airways and utilise a Pilatus Islander prop plane. It is believed there is no beverage service, since even coffee takes three minutes to brew.

i hope this isn't a stupid question... but why do cabin interiors always have to be umm that off whitish colour... can't it be like purple or racing green or maroon or something more comfortable?

Originally posted by heirloom

i hope this isn't a stupid question... but why do cabin interiors always have to be umm that off whitish colour... can't it be like purple or racing green or maroon or something more comfortable? Erm....ligher shades of colour tend to be less stress-enducing then the raging colours you are suggesting! :D

Well, the issue I am getting at was that I tot the US has implimented rules baring the congregation of passengers anywhere in the cabin?

not really... wouldnt it be more homely / cosy.. velvetish type of texture... instead of cpu-casing-beige... ahh.. an iPlane is needed.

Originally posted by heirloom

not really... wouldnt it be more homely / cosy.. velvetish type of texture... instead of cpu-casing-beige... ahh.. an iPlane is needed. Erm...possible, unless your velvet is in a lighter shade of colour?? ;)

Btw, you arent going to hug the wall during the flight, so whats this fetish for velvet? :bash: :D

Interesting thread. :)

Even though I've never been on board a Singapore Airlines jet, I'm very impressed by the features inside the jet for passengers. The first class cabin is the best I've seen of any airliner, the seating resembles that of small cabins (without walls).:)

I'm also impressed by the economy class on board the plane. The entertainment system has to be outstanding, and I cannot see any reason why myself or anyone else should become bored during the flight.

Just a query, what type of food do they serve to you during a flight?

Originally posted by Fabian

Interesting thread. :)

Even though I've never been on board a Singapore Airlines jet, I'm very impressed by the features inside the jet for passengers. The first class cabin is the best I've seen of any airliner, the seating resembles that of small cabins (without walls).:)

I'm also impressed by the economy class on board the plane. The entertainment system has to be outstanding, and I cannot see any reason why myself or anyone else should become bored during the flight.

Just a query, what type of food do they serve to you during a flight?

Thanks Fabian:)

Well in economy you get a choice of 2 meals. It is usually a Western or Oriental choice, and ice cream.

The entertainment is ESSENTIAL for me especially on long hauls. Good thing is that you can change channels and pause the programme/rewind if you need to go to the lavatory.

btw I usually fly from Singapore to London, and many of the passengers are Aussies or Kiwis connecting through Singapore.

Originally posted by Fabian

Just a query, what type of food do they serve to you during a flight? Let me try answering this by refering to their website, but I hope others may post the pictures from a site which has a collection of airline food? Cant remember the site's address now.

Let's start with Economy class. ;)

A class like no other ....
Indeed, with our wide range of beverages and fine wines, choice of menu and KrisWorld (our superb inflight audio/video and interactive entertainment), we lavish attention on Economy Class passengers in a way you will not easily forget.

Delightful cuisine specially for you ........
Enjoy our tantalizing spread of World Gourmet Cuisine and choose from two choices of main courses. Enjoy delicious International selection and authentic Asian meals on-board our flights departing Singapore. For those who prefer something spicy, our special Kris Chilli is also available to accompany your meal. Simply ask our cabin crew during meal times.

Complementing your meal with choice beverages ........
Wine and dine onboard with our delightful selection of red and white wines, all carefully selected for your enjoyment by our wine consultants. We have a wide variety of other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages specially for you.


Feeling peckish between meals ........
If you feel hungry anytime in between meals, you can choose from our range of snacks and light refreshments. On selected flights above 10 hours, we offer a special snack service for our passengers. On other flights, our cabin crew will be pleased to serve you biscuits or instant noodles in between meal services.

Experience our new Brunch dining service in Raffles Class
We have extended our contemporary, restaurant-style service to Brunch, for flights above 4 hours. Start it off with a choice of juices, fresh fruits, and cereal, followed by a delectable main course such as a tender juicy rib eye steak, served with a creamy red wine sauce, or a pan-seared escalope of salmon, served with a light dressing of tomato, lemon, and olive oil, freshly plated on board.

All these delicious cuisines are served on our new square plates, designed exclusively for Raffles Class. This service is also available on flights above 4 hours, serving lunch and dinner.

Tempting treats ...
Enjoy our delicious satay - a local delight of skewered chicken or mutton/beef pieces that are grilled to perfection and served with a tantalizing peanut sauce.

For your main course, you can look forward to up to 4 choices of international cuisine and Asian favourites. Look out for the wok symbol on your menu and pick a dish that is specially designed by one of the eight award-winning chefs in our International Culinary Panel. Or make an advance order for your favourite dish with our exclusive Book The Cook service. Click here to view the Book The Cook selection available from the various cities.

You can choose from a wide variety of snacks anytime in between meals - soups, instant noodles and biscuits. On longer flights, you can also ask our crew for fresh fruit.

Experience fine Piper Heidseick Rare Cuvée Réservée champagne, as well as a delightful selection of red and white wines, all specially selected by our renowned wine consultants.

Coffee lovers can take your pick from espresso to cappuccino ... or try our straight gourmet coffee - Brazil Santos Bourbon, Colombian Supremo and 'Kilimanjaro' Kenyan AA. Tea lovers can also look forward to a fine selection of tea, which includes Earl Grey and Camomile.

* Specialty coffees are available on Megatop 747 and Jubilee 777.

For that special touch ....
As an alternative to butter, we offer extra virgin olive oil to complete your fine dining experience.

To complement your meal, our Kris Chilli sauce which is made to an original Singapore Airlines recipe, is always available.

HIGHTLIGHTS


A new dining experience in Raffles Class

Come experience the much "talked about" contemporary, restaurant-style service on selected flights serving lunch, dinner and brunch meals.


Savour a freshly made gourmet salad, such as, drunken prawns served with baby mesclun, assorted tear-drop tomatoes with soya sesame dressing, assembled in front of you by our cabin crew.

Satisfy yourself with a delightful main course such as delicately seasoned oven-roasted lamb chops, served with mint jus, or pan roasted Chilean seabass served with miso-tomato sauce, buttered brocolini and mashed potatoes.

All these delicious dishes are served on our newly designed square plates.

Yet more choices of drinks for you......
Treat yourself to one of these drinks freshly prepared for you when you travel in First or Raffles Class .... Kilimanjaro gourmet coffee*, Iced Chocolate, Iced Mint Tea .... Or perhaps a refreshing Fruit Spritzer or a wine cooler .... Look up the complete list of drinks in our Wine/Beverage List when you fly with us.

* Specialty coffees are available on Megatop 747 and Jubilee 777.

Enjoy the designer cuisine of two new award-winning chefs
From April 2003, restaurateur-chefs Matthew Moran of Sydney and Alfred Portale of New York join the team that brings excellence in international cuisine to you.

Whether you are travelling in First or Raffles class or selected Economy class flights, look out for Moran's modern Australian dishes and Portale's New American cuisine, which have been flying with us on selected routes starting 1 September 2003! Join SIA in welcoming two extraordinary chefs to its International Culinary Panel.

Ice cream for everyone!
We all love it, don't we? Indeed, many of you are telling us how much you enjoy the ice cream after the meal. We have therefore introduced it on more flights, so look out for the different varieties as you travel with us.

Order your favourite dish in advance ...

Roast Lamb Chops

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/before/eot/plan/meals/bookcook/byf_roast_lamb_chops_lg.jpg

As part of our World Gourmet Cuisine selection, you can order your main course in advance with our exclusive Book The Cook service! With a wide menu selection from Singapore and 11 overseas stations, there is definitely something for you.

Simply select from the list of Book the Cook dishes and make your request through our Reservations Office or your travel agent at least 24 hours before flight departure. You can also make your Book The Cook meal request when you purchase your tickets online through our website. Click here to purchase your tickets through us now.

To see the Book The Cook selection available, just click on the city from which you are departing:

* Singapore
* Amsterdam
* Frankfurt
* London
* Los Angeles
* New York (John F. Kennedy and Newark)
* San Francisco
* Sydney
* Melbourne
* Hong Kong
* Taipei
* Tokyo

Book The Cook dishes are served as the main course and are therefore not Refreshment or Continental Breakfast options.

FROM SINGAPORE ...

6 oz US Rib Eye Steak

This service is available on all flights from Singapore except:
(i) flights to Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
(ii) for Refreshment or Continental Breakfast meals on these flights.
For breakfast, only dishes marked with an asterisk are available.

Western Cuisine
• 6oz US rib eye steak with creamy green peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetables and garlic-mashed potatoes
• Oven-roasted corn fed chicken breast, tarragon jus and creamy polenta
• Pan-seared Chilean bass with bouillabaisse sauce, capsicum confit and kalamata olive potato
• Pappardelle with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes
• Roast lamb chops with mint jus, mesclun salad and thyme-flavoured gratin potatoes
• Roasted vegetables with avocado mesclun salad on roesti potatoes, in a truffle oil and xeres vinaigrette
• Seared salmon escalope on a warm potato and snake bean salad
• Slipper lobster thermidor, buttered asparagus and slow roasted vine-ripened tomato with saffron rice
• Wild mushroom and chorizo risotto in natural jus with arugula

Singapore Specialities

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/before/eot/plan/meals/bookcook/byf_curry_breadrolls_lg.jpg

• Braised soya flavoured duck with yam rice
• Chicken curry Peranakan style with bread rolls
• Nasi biryani *
• Nasi lemak *
• Singapore Chicken Rice

Japanese Cuisine
• Gyu-Don

Thai Delights
• Fish soufflé and spicy minced chicken served with pineapple rice and curried vegetables
• Green curry fish balls stuffed with prawns, served with pork in a sweet and spicy sauce

FROM AMSTERDAM

• Fillet steak in green peppercorn sauce with ratatouille and duchess potatoes
• Grilled chicken breast in herb sauce with ratatouille and mashed potatoes
• Seared NZ lamb chops in sage jus with roasted vegetables and potatoes
• Fish assam manis with spiced vegetables and steamed jasmine rice
• Opor chicken with spicy vegetables and jasmine rice
• Oriental sliced beef and vegetables with braised rice noodles
• Roast duck with plum sauce, seasonal vegetables and fried noodles
• Singapore Chicken Rice

FROM FRANKFURT

• Artichoke-tomato crusted loin of lamb in thyme sauce, French beans with bacon and gratin potatoes
• Gratinated prawns with mushrooms in brandy sauce, carrots, green beans and dill potatoes
• Pan-fried fillet of beef in three peppercorn sauce with garden vegetables and roasted potatoes
• Roast chicken breast in rosemary sauce with vegetables and country potatoes
• Salmon gratinated with feta and parmesan cheese in orange ginger sauce with vegetables and Mississippi rice
• Chicken in Thai masaman curry with vegetables and steamed rice
• Fish in Thai red curry with vegetables and steamed rice
• Honey glazed duckling with vegetables and Chinese egg noodles

FROM LONDON

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/features/sitewide/book_the_cook_180x224.jpg

• Baked fillet of cod with runner beans, pancetta and roasted pinenuts, potato and turnip mash
• Pork medallions in red onion marmalade with broccoli and potato-celery croquette
• Roast corn fed chicken breast marinated in rosemary-garlic and lemon with braised savoy cabbage
• Seafood Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Cantonese roast duck with vegetables and steamed rice
• Chicken Teriyaki with Japanese mixed vegetables and steamed rice
• Selection of sushi with pickled ginger and condiments
• Singapore Chicken Rice

FROM LOS ANGELES

• Grilled free range chicken with fettuccine pasta and wild mushroom sauce
• Seared Chilean bass with creamy saffron sauce, baby vegetables and wild rice
• Steamed crab ravioli in creamy lobster sauce with mixed vegetables
• Chirashi Sushi
• Prawns with preserved cabbage, sugar snap peas and steamed rice
• Stir-fried pork with wood ear, enoki mushroom, bell peppers and steamed rice
• Sweet and sour fish with fried noodles
• Wok-fried black pepper chicken with carrots, zucchini, gingko nuts and steamed rice

FROM NEW YORK (JFK Int'l)

• Grilled shrimps and scallops in tarragon mustard sauce with leeks, carrots and linguini
• Pan-fried chicken in green peppercorn sauce, squash and creamy mashed potatoes
• Roasted seabass with wilted spinach and glazed crab-mashed potatoes
• Roast rack of lamb with natural jus, roasted vegetables and creamy garlic mash
• Baked Chilean bass in Oriental XO sauce with mixed vegetables and fried rice
• Stir-fried chicken in Chinese wine with seasonal vegetables and chicken flavoured rice

FROM NEW YORK (Newark Int'l)

• Chicken Wellington in perigourdine sauce with squash and wild rice
• Grilled shrimps and scallops in tarragon mustard sauce with leeks, carrots and linguini
• Parsley crusted loin of lamb with grilled vegetables and potatoes
• Mediterranean BBQ noisette of lamb with sun-dried tomato couscous
• Baked Chilean bass in Oriental XO sauce with selected vegetables and fried rice
• Stir-fried chicken in Chinese wine with seasonal vegetables and chicken flavoured rice

FROM SAN FRANCISCO

• Braised guinea fowl with creamy morel sauce, ravioli and seasonal vegetables
• Crab cake with broccoli, baby carrots, fresh asparagus and roasted potato wedges
• Pan-fried halibut with tagliatelle and pistou and sautéed vegetables
• Jumbo shrimps in Thai red curry sauce with assorted vegetables and fried rice noodles
• Steamed fish roll with ham and asparagus served with baby carrots, Chinese greens and egg noodles
• Stir-fried mussels with garlic chilli sauce, assorted vegetables and steamed rice
• Singapore Chicken Rice

FROM SYDNEY

• Grilled beef in green peppercorn sauce with seasonal vegetables and gratin potatoes
• Roast chicken breast in wild mushroom cream and gratin chat potatoes
• Seafood Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Tasmanian salmon in wild lime butter sauce with steamed green beans and pasta
• Barramundi in black bean sauce with baby bok choy and jasmine rice
• Cantonese roast duck with plum sauce and steamed rice
• Indian lamb shank curry with vegetables and pilaff rice
• Singapore Chicken Rice

FROM MELBOURNE

• Chicken in macadamia nut crust with bush tomato coulis, roast vegetables and new potatoes
• Grilled beef in green peppercorn sauce with seasonal vegetables and gratin potatoes
• Pan-fried barramundi in native pepper sauce with sautéed vegetables and fettuccine
• Seared salmon escalope on a warm potato and French bean salad
• Cantonese roast duck with vegetables and steamed rice
• Indian lamb shank curry with spiced vegetables and basmati rice
• Lamb loin in Thai green curry with Asian vegetables and steamed rice
• Wok-fried rice with tender pieces of marinated chicken, egg and spring onion

FROM HONG KONG

• Grilled fillet of beef with shallot tarragon sauce, French beans, roasted pumpkin and black pepper mashed potatoes
• Pan-fried seabass with sun-dried tomato pesto, mixed vegetables and potatoes
• Stir-fried prawns and scallops with braised beans in leek and red wine vinaigrette with vegetables
• Braised assorted mushrooms in bean curd skin, seasonal vegetables and steamed rice
• Braised pork ball Shanghai style with pak choy, carrots and vegetable rice
• Chirashi Sushi
• Deep-fried salmon with garlic cloves, chu hau sauce, vegetables and steamed rice
• Steamed egg with scallops, mixed vegetables and rice
• Thai style red beef curry, selected vegetables and steamed rice

FROM TAIPEI

• Beef tournedos in red wine sauce topped with crabmeat ragout with broccoli, pumpkin, carrots and herbal mashed potatoes
• Cod fillet on saffron orange sauce with asparagus and tomato couscous
• Seafood lasagna in tomato sauce
• Braised beef with turnip in soya sauce served with kailan, shiitake, carrot and steamed rice
• Chirashi Sushi
• Steamed cod fillet flavoured with sun-dried cabbage served with Ee-Fu noodles, pumpkin and carrot
• Stir-fried rice vermicelli with shredded pork, clam meat and pumpkin

FROM TOKYO

• Grilled fillet of beef with pesto and tomato couscous
• Seafood bouillabaisse with spaghetti
• Braised seafood in hot bean sauce with mixed vegetables and fried noodles
• Chirashi Sushi
• Fried seabass with hot garlic sauce and mixed vegetables and bee hoon
• Grilled tuna with vinegared white miso and mixed seaweed sauce served with udon
• Japanese beef curry with rice
• Shouyu Ramen (Soya flavoured noodle soup with char siew and vegetables)
• Stir-fried beef with black bean sauce with assorted Chinese vegetables and fried rice
• Unagi Kabayaki

Oh yup..this website gives pics of the meals served
http://www.airlinemeals.net/indexMeals.html
First Class - Grilled ham steak with herb jus, sauteed mushrooms, roma tomato and potatoes
http://www.airlinemeals.net/images/meals/singaporeairlines169.jpg
First Class - Stir fried chicken with dried chilli and rice wine, seasonal vegetables and fried rice, Garlic Bread
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First Class - Prawn cocktail with American cocktail sauce, Garlic Bread
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First Class - Cafe Latte
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First Class - Fresh Fruit including Pineapples, Strawberry, Raspberry etc
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First Class - satay with peanut sauce, duck foie gras, Oriental brooth with bamboo piths and Yunnan ham
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First Class - Japanese meal
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Economy Class
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Raffles Class - Nasi Bryani
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Economy Class - Tiger beer with some Indian style savouries.
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Economy Class - fruit appetiser,noodles with chicken, cake,roll and butter.
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Raffles Class - cheese selection with fruits
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Raffles Class - Maki Sushi and Shrimps with dressing of your choice
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An exquisite spread just for you ....
Wine and dine in style as you travel with us in First Class. Our highly personalized flexi-dining service gives you total control over what you want to eat, when you want to eat. Take your pick from our wide selection of cuisine and our cabin crew will be happy to serve you your meals at your own pace.

Relive the romance and grandeur of travel, as we pamper you with an exquisite spread of World Gourmet Cuisine

A special selection of scrumptious cuisine ...
Savour our renowned satay - a local delight of skewered chicken or mutton/beef pieces that are grilled to perfection and served with a tantalizing peanut sauce.

Or whet your appetite for the many fine courses ahead, with premium chilled malossal caviar - a gourmet delight, on our long haul lunch, dinner and selected supper flights.

For your main course, you can look forward to up to 4 choices of international cuisine and Asian favourites. Look out for the wok symbol on your menu and pick a dish that is specially designed by one of the eight award-winning chefs in our International Culinary Panel. Or make an advance order for your favourite dish with our exclusive Book The Cook service, available from selected stations.

Of champagne, wines and choice beverages on board ...
Experience Dom Perignon (we are one of the few exclusive airlines that serve this on board) and Krug with us. Take your pick from a fine selection of red and white wines (all carefully selected by our renowned wine consultants) as well as aperitifs and liqueurs.

On top of the classic favourites of espresso, cappuccino and cafe latte, coffee lovers now can also enjoy straight gourmet coffee such as Jamaican Blue Mountain (exclusively in First Class!), Brazil Santos Bourbon, 'Kilimanjaro' Kenyan AA and Colombian Supremo. Tea lovers can pick from a fine range of teas such as Earl Grey, Camomile and Darjeeling.

* Specialty coffees are available on Megatop 747 and Jubilee 777.

Enjoy that perfect cuppa ...

For that special touch ...
As an alternative to butter, we offer a selection of extra virgin olive oil. There is a flavour for everyone - natural, truffle, chilli and balsamic vinegar.

To complement your meal, our Kris Chilli sauce which is made to an original Singapore Airlines recipe, is always available.

Enjoy extra virgin olive oil with oven-fresh rolls

Enjoy an authentic Kyo-Kaiseki meal

Believed to have originated in the 1500s as a meal preceding the traditional Japanese tea ceremony, Kaiseki has evolved to become a unique Japanese dining custom that is both a visual feast and sensory delight to the palate.

Under the guidance of Mr Yoshihiro Murata (a member of our International Culinary Panel, the serviceware was specially developed with creative use of colours and shapes to reflect the principle of harmony fundamental to Kaiseki. With special menus planned by Kyoto-based Mr Murata (of the Kikunoi Kyoto restaurant), we present you our exquisite Kyo-Kaiseki, traditional Kaiseki served in the atmosphere of a restaurant in Kyoto.

Exclusively on Singapore Airlines, re-live the atmosphere of classical Japanese dining with Kyo-Kaiseki. Experience the traditional and exquisite Kaiseki service on our Japan flights or when you order a Japanese special meal.

Enjoy that special treat from Singapore Airlines!


An all-time favourite - Lobster Thermidor

As part of our World Gourmet Cuisine selection, you can order your main course in advance with our exclusive Book The Cook service! With a wide menu selection from Singapore and 11 overseas stations, there is definitely something for you.

Simply select from the list of Book The Cook dishes and make your request through our Reservations Office or your travel agent at least 24 hours before flight departure. You can also make your Book The Cook meal request when you purchase your tickets online through our website. Click here to purchase your tickets through us now.

To see the Book The Cook selection available, just click on the city from which you are departing:

• Singapore
• Amsterdam
• Frankfurt
• London
• Sydney
• Melbourne
• Los Angeles
• New York (John F. Kennedy and Newark)
• San Francisco
• Hong Kong
• Taipei
• Tokyo

Book The Cook dishes are served as the main course and are therefore not Refreshment or Continental Breakfast options.

FROM SINGAPORE ...

This service is available on all flights from Singapore except:
(i) flights to Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
(ii) for Refreshment or Continental Breakfast meals on these flights.
For Breakfast, only dishes marked with an asterisk are available.

Chicken curry with breadrolls

Western Cuisine
• 8oz US rib eye steak with creamy green peppercorn sauce, roasted vegetables and garlic-mashed potatoes
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Oven-roasted free range chicken breast stuffed with spinach and ricotta cheese, served with cepe jus, vegetables and creamy polenta
• Pan-fried veal loin and braised veal cheek with parsnip purée, garden vegetables and sautéed mushrooms
• Pan-seared Chilean bass in bouillabaisse broth with capsicum confit and zucchini pasta
• Pappardelle with seafood
• Roast rack of lamb with mint jus, mesclun salad and thyme-flavoured gratin potatoes
• Roasted vegetables with avocado mesclun salad on roesti potatoes, in a truffle oil and xeres vinaigrette
• Seared salmon escalope on a warm potato and snake bean salad

Singapore Specialities
• Braised soya flavoured duck with yam rice
• Chicken curry Peranakan style with bread rolls
• Fish porridge *
• Fish Ball Kway Teow Soup(Flat rice noodles with fish balls in broth) *
• Laksa(Slippery rice noodles in a smooth and rich seafood gravy)
• Nasi biryani *
• Nasi lemak *
• Singapore Chicken Rice
• Yu Pian Mi Fen(Singapore style rice noodle soup with sliced fish)*

Japanese Cuisine
• Kyo-Kaiseki

Thai Delights
• Fish soufflé and spicy minced chicken served with pineapple rice and curried vegetables
• Green curry fish balls stuffed with prawns, served with pork in a sweet and spicy sauce

FROM AMSTERDAM

• Fillet steak in green peppercorn sauce with ratatouille and duchess potatoes
• Grilled chicken breast in herb sauce with ratatouille and mashed potatoes
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Pork fillet gratin in paprika sauce with spinach, zucchini and wild rice
• Seared NZ lamb chops in sage jus with roasted vegetables and potatoes
• Fish assam manis with spiced vegetables and steamed jasmine rice
• Opor chicken with spicy vegetables and jasmine rice
• Oriental sliced beef and vegetables with braised rice noodles
• Roast duck with plum sauce, seasonal vegetables and fried noodles
• Singapore Chicken Rice

FROM FRANKFURT

• Artichoke-tomato crusted loin of lamb in thyme sauce, French beans with bacon and gratin potatoes
• Fillet of veal in Pommery mustard sauce, asparagus with wild mushrooms and fettuccine
• Grilled knuckle of veal in dark beer sauce with Swiss chard, carrot and Bavarian bread dumplings
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Roasted chicken breast in rosemary sauce with vegetables and country potatoes
• Salmon gratinated with feta and parmesan cheese in orange ginger sauce with vegetables and Mississippi rice
• Chicken in Thai masaman curry with vegetables and steamed rice
• Fish in Thai red curry with vegetables and steamed rice
• Honey glazed duckling with vegetables and Chinese egg noodles
• Stir-fried beef in chilli and Thai sweet basil with vegetables and fried rice

FROM LONDON

• Fillet of brill in girolles sauce with almond-broccoli and buttered tagliatelle
• Fried fillet of monkfish with baked beetroot and horseradish butter, potato and celeriac mash
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Roast breast of guinea fowl stuffed with stilton cheese in portwine sauce and potato-turnip mash
• Roast corn fed chicken breast marinated in rosemary-garlic and lemon with braised savoy cabbage
• Roast fillet of lamb on lentils with vegetable stew and creamy gratin potatoes
• Cantonese roast duck with vegetables and steamed rice
• Chicken Teriyaki with Japanese vegetables and steamed rice
• Selection of sushi with pickled ginger and condiments
• Singapore Chicken Rice

FROM SYDNEY

• Grilled beef in green peppercorn sauce with seasonal vegetables and gratin potatoes
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Roast chicken breast in wild mushroom cream and gratin chat potatoes
• Roast rack of lamb with natural jus, roasted vegetables and creamy garlic mash
• Tasmanian salmon in wild lime butter sauce with steamed green beans and pasta
• Veal mignon in Yarra red wine sauce with vegetables and prawn-potato mousseline
• Barramundi in black bean sauce with baby bok choy and jasmine rice
• Cantonese roast duck with vegetables and steamed rice
• Indian lamb shank curry with vegetables and pilaff rice
• Singapore Chicken Rice

FROM MELBOURNE

• Chicken in macadamia nut crust with bush tomato coulis, roast vegetables and new potatoes
• Grilled beef in green peppercorn sauce with seasonal vegetables and gratin potatoes
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Pan-fried barramundi in native pepper sauce with sautéed vegetables and fettuccine
• Pan-fried veal loin in bush tomato sauce with grilled vegetables in olive oil and roasted potatoes
• Barramundi in black bean sauce with baby bok choy and fried rice
• Cantonese roast duck with vegetables and steamed rice
• Indian lamb shank curry with vegetables and basmati rice
• Lamb loin in Thai green curry with Asian vegetables and steamed rice
• Wok-fried rice with tender pieces of marinated chicken, egg and spring onion

FROM LOS ANGELES

• Atlantic salmon fillet with shrimps and garlic sauce and ratatouille
• Lemon herb grilled chicken on sourdough roll with salad
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Pan-seared pheasant with stuffed blini and vegetables
• 5-spiced Chilean bass with assorted vegetables and fried rice
• Crabmeat Ee-Fu noodle soup with Chinese greens
• Kow Pao chicken and steamed rice
• Nigiri Sushi

FROM NEW YORK (JFK Int'l)

• Grilled shrimps and scallops in tarragon mustard sauce with leeks, carrots and linguini
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Pan-fried chicken in green peppercorn sauce, squash and creamy mashed potatoes
• Roast Long Island duck with natural jus, roasted vegetables and red skin potatoes
• Roasted seabass with wilted spinach and glazed crab-mashed potatoes
• Roast rack of lamb with natural jus, roasted vegetables and creamy garlic mash
• Baked Chilean bass in Oriental XO sauce with mixed vegetables and fried rice
• Stir-fried chicken in Chinese wine with seasonal vegetables and chicken flavoured rice

FROM NEW YORK (Newark Int'l)

• Chicken Wellington in perigourdine sauce with squash and wild rice
• Grilled shrimps and scallops in tarragon mustard sauce with leeks, carrots and linguini
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Parsley crusted loin of lamb with grilled vegetables and potatoes
• Mediterranean BBQ noisette of lamb with sun-dried tomato couscous
• Baked Chilean bass in Oriental XO sauce with selected vegetables and fried rice
• Stir-fried chicken in Chinese wine with seasonal vegetables and chicken flavoured rice

FROM SAN FRANCISCO

• Chicken breast stuffed with chorizo, papaya, red onion and herbs with potato and corn hash, fresh asparagus and baby carrots
• Jumbo scallops in raspberry vinegar sauce with baby vegetables
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, slow roasted vine-ripened tomato and saffron rice
• Roasted Chilean bass in creamy cider vinegar sauce with roasted tomato, parsley potato, baby carrots and asparagus
• Braised quail with chestnut and Chinese sausage served with Chinese greens and noodles
• Nigiri Sushi
• Seafood rice noodle soup with Chinese greens
• Steamed sole wrapped in ham served with seasonal vegetables and fried rice
• Thai red curry chicken with broccoli, baby carrots, red bell peppers and pineapple fried rice

FROM HONG KONG

• Grilled salmon with braised green peas, artichoke and onion
• Grilled veal with jus, roasted green zucchini, yellow squash and deep-fried potatoes
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered asparagus, red capsicum, baby yellow squash and mashed potatoes
• Portuguese style beef curry with broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and steamed rice
• Braised abalone and mushroom in oyster sauce with flat noodles
• Braised Chilean bass with preserved olives, vegetables and steamed rice
• Braised Lo Hon mixed vegetables and stir-fried Ee-Fu noodles
• Lobster wanton soup with Ee-Fu noodles and Chinese greens
• Nigiri Sushi

FROM TAIPEI

• Lobster in herb butter with asparagus, capsicum and buttered potatoes
• Sea salt cured pan-fried salmon with sautéed spinach and pinenut rice
• Smoked turkey panini with Mediterranean salad
• Veal saltimbocca in lemon sauce with asparagus, capsicum and roasted potatoes
• Beef Sukiyaki with steamed rice
• Braised abalone with dried oysters in superior sauce with Chinese greens, carrot, pumpkin and chicken flavoured rice
• Nigiri Sushi
• Steamed cod fillet with preserved Chinese capers in light soya sauce with seasonal vegetables and steamed rice
• Traditional Formosa beef noodles soup

FROM TOKYO

• Crusted rack of lamb with yoghurt sauce and sautéed mixed vegetables
• Lobster Thermidor with buttered zucchini, carrots and pilaff rice with mixed peppers
• Pan-fried seabass wrapped with potato, served with red vinegar sauce and white beans
• Roast beef and mustard baguettes with seasonal salad
• Seared seabream maitake mushroom and herb flavoured tomato sauce, boiled squid and baby leeks
• Veal loin stuffed with leek and taleggio cheese in a white wine and porcini mushroom sauce with fettuccine
• Beef Sukiyaki with steamed rice
• Japanese style simmered fish topped with grated yam sauce and rice
• Nigiri Sushi

International Culinary Panel

A Unique Dining Experience with our International Culinary Panel
The pleasures of dining as experienced in fine restaurants can now be enjoyed by passengers in all three classes of travel with our unique World Gourmet Cuisine.

To provide you with only the best, Singapore Airlines has specially commissioned an international panel of chefs to offer great dishes from around the world. Their talents will ensure that you enjoy high standards of inflight cuisine, complemented by an equally illustrious selection of wine chosen by our wine consultants.

Get to know the esteemed members of our International Culinary Panel ...
The 8 world-acclaimed chefs on our panel are:

Georges Blanc
(Vonnas, France)

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A man needing no introduction, Mr Blanc is regarded as one of the few Grand Masters of French cuisine. Widely recognized as being at the top of his profession since 1981 when he was honoured with the award of a third star from the prestigious Guide Michelin, Mr Blanc went on to receive the Chef of the Year award from Gault and Millau, obtaining their highest rating to date. A culinary perfectionist, Mr Blanc brings with him a proud history and tradition as the fourth-generation member of the Blanc family, who have served as inn keepers in Vonnas since 1872.

Gordon Ramsay
(London, United Kingdom)

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Recently awarded his third Michelin star and named Chef of the Year in the UK, Mr Ramsay is Scottish by birth and was brought up in England from the age of 5. He has worked extensively in numerous places, including London and France. In October 1993, Chef Ramsay became part owner of Aubergine (a restaurant in Chelsea) where he won many accolades including two Michelin stars awarded within just three years of opening. Mr Ramsay's cooking is renowned and well appreciated for its rich flavours, whilst remaining light and healthy. He also writes books and presents his own cookery series "Passion for Flavour".

Alfred Portale
(New York, USA)

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Exceeding the expectations of the toughest culinary critics, Portale has garnered a string of accolades to his name. Inducted into Who's Who in Food and Beverage in America in 1989, named the Best Chef in New York in 1993 and dubbed the 'pioneer of New American cuisine', Portale continues to impress with every creation. During his 12-year tenure at Gotham, the restaurant received four consecutive three-star reviews from The New York Times. Once a jewellery designer, the artist in him applies a superb sense of style and craftsmanship to food, interpreting New American cuisine in a unique way.

Nancy Oakes
(San Francisco, USA)

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The principles that define Chef Oakes' cooking have been clear and unshakable from the beginning. She has always believed that her guests need to be comforted by her food as well as the surroundings and service, and that the "food presentation should flatter guests in a way that makes them feel personally cared for". Her restaurant, Boulevard, certainly bears testimony to these principles and was voted the number one restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Francisco's favourite restaurant. Ms Oakes, our very first lady panelist, will undoubtedly add a special touch to our World Gourmet Cuisine.

Matthew Moran
(Sydney, Australia)

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An early step into the culinary world at age 15 fetched Moran a wealth of experience in some of Sydney's finest restaurants. The youngest chef to receive a prestigious One Chef's Hat in the influential Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) Good Food Guide, he went on to co-own the award-winning Morans Restaurant and Café and the famed Aria. In its first year, Aria received Two Chef's Hats in the 2000 SMH Good Food Guide. With the philosophy of using the finest seasonal produce available to achieve a menu that is all at once eclectic, skilled and unpretentious, Moran presents modern Oz cooking at its best.

Satish Arora
(India)

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He has cooked for kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers as well as other dignitaries and celebrities. Over the years, Mr Arora has earned international recognition and worked with many chefs from the world, developing a unique style of Indian cooking that combines traditional flavours and modern presentation. Presently the Director of Food Production at India's Taj Group of Hotels and Taj Air Caterers, the award-winning chef lends his expertise in creating a series of delightful Indian-style signature dishes and further raise the standards of Singapore Airlines Indian vegetarian meals.

Yoshihiro Murata
(Kyoto, Japan)

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A third-generation chef, Mr Murata is a leading authority who has helped develop and shape Japan's culinary culture. Mr Murata has earned numerous accolades. Among these is his appointment as the Assistant Chairman of the Kyoto Japanese Culinary Association. He is currently a master chef and proprietor of the renowned Kikunoi Kyoto restaurant. Mr Murata, who lectures at several Japanese culinary schools, has published three books, presented culinary TV programmes and held several food promotions overseas.

Yeung Koon Yat
(Hong Kong)

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Mr Yeung Koon Yat is a legend in the catering field of Hong Kong. He has been presented with many international awards and honours. Among them, the most illustrious ones are: "C.C.C. Gold Medal" presented by the Club Des Chefs Des Chefs (set up by the Presidents' and Kings' imperial cooks) and "Star of Excellence" presented by La Chaine des Rotisseurs. Mr Yeung, who does not use chicken powder, chicken essence or gourmet powder in his cooking, proves that not using reprocessed seasonings perfects Chinese food, making it more delicious and preserving the essence of Chinese culinary culture.

Special Meals for your special dietary needs ....
For passengers with special dietary requirements due to medical or religious reasons, we offer a wide selection of special meals that will meet your needs. Please place your order at least 24 hours before the flight departure through our Reservations office or your travel agent. You can also make a Special Meal request when you purchase your tickets online through our website. Click here to purchase your tickets through us now.

Religious Meals
• Kosher Meal (Pre-packed and sealed; contains meat)
• Muslim Meal (No alcohol/pork/ham/bacon)
• Hindu (Non-Vegetarian) Meal (No beef/veal; contains other types of meat, may include pork)
• Vegetarian Meals
(i) Raw Vegetarian Meal (Only fruits and vegetables)
(ii) Asian Vegetarian - Oriental (No meat of any sort; can contain dairy products; cooked Chinese-style)
(iii) Asian Vegetarian - Indian (non-strict) (No meat of any sort; can contain dairy products; cooked Indian-style)
(iv) Indian Vegetarian (strict; suitable for Jain) (No meat of any sort; no onion/garlic/ginger/all root vegetables; cooked Indian-style)
(v) Western Vegetarian (non-strict; lacto-ovo) (No meat of any sort; can contain dairy products; cooked Western-style)
(vi) Western Vegetarian (strict) (No meat of any sort; no dairy products; cooked Western-style)

Medical Meals
• Bland Meal (No "irritants" e.g. black pepper, chilli powder, caffeine, cocoa, alcohol)
• Diabetic Meal (No sugar; limited salt)
• Fat Free Meal (No fats/fried foods/dairy products; preferred cooking styles are poaching/boiling)
• Fruit Platter Meal (Fresh fruits only)
• Gluten Free Meal (No wheat/rye/barley/oats in any form)
• High Fibre Meal (Contains items with high roughage e.g. fruits/vegetables/wholegrain products/legumes/nuts; avoid white flour products/refined cereals)
• Low Sodium, No Salt Added Meal (Avoid naturally-salted/sodium-added processed foods e.g. Baking powder/soda, MSG; no salt added during preparation)
• Low Calorie Meal (Limited fats/sauces/gravy/fried items; limited sugar-rich items)
• Low Fat/Cholesterol Meal (No animal fats but poly-unsaturated fatty acids allowed; limited fats/sauces/gravy fried items; no butter/cream/whole milk cheese; only lean meat allowed)
• Low Fibre/Residue Meal (Limited fibrous items eg. fruit/legumes/vegetables/wholegrain products)
• Low Purine Meal (Avoid food with uric acid; Lots of fruits/vegetables recommended)
• Low Protein Meal (Limited meat and recommended protein weight < 15 gm; limited eggs/dairy products/salt)
• Non Carbohydrate Meal (No starch and carbohydrates in any form)
• Non Lactose Meal (No lactose/dairy products eg. milk/milk solids/casein/cheese/cream/butter/margarine)
• Soft Fluid Meal (Mainly sieved/soupy items)
• Semi Fluid Meal (Mainly pureed/minced/easily digestible items eg. pureed vegetables/potatoes/fruits, minced/homogenized meat, porridge/congee)
• Ulcer Diet Meal (Contains easily digestive plain poached/broiled foods e.g. white meat/fish; no acidic food/fruits)
• Nut-Free Meal Non-Strict (Meal does not contain nut or nut derivatives)
• Nut-Free Meal Strict (Meal does not contain nut or nut derivatives; packet nut snacks will not be served on board)

Child & Infant Meals
• Baby Meal (Suitable for infants less than 1 year old; 01 jar each of main course, vegetables & dessert)
• Postweaning Meal (Suitable for infants between 1-2 years old; more substantial than Baby Meal; easy to bite/chew and digestible)
• Child Meal (Suitable for children between 2-7 years old; less substantial than adult meal; easy to bite/chew with items attractive to children)

Others
• Seafood Meal (Meat used must be fish/other seafood only)
• Oriental Meal (Meal is cooked Chinese-style)
• Japanese Meal (For First Class and available from Singapore and selected stations only)
• Book The Cook service (For First and Raffles Class only; please look into 'Book The Cook' for more details.)

Singapore Airlines In Perth
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FEB 5, 2004
S'pore to LA - in 14 hours

Helped by tail winds, inaugural non-stop flight on SIA's new long-range aircraft slashes flight time by four hours

By Karamjit Kaur

LOS ANGELES - A single non-stop flight by Singapore Airlines across half the globe on Tuesday drove home how much this world has shrunk.

SQ20 left Changi Airport at 4pm on Tuesday and, helped by strong tail winds, landed 14,630km away in Los Angeles about 14 hours later, about two hours ahead of schedule. This is about the same amount of time it takes to fly in one of the carrier's regular planes from Singapore to major European cities like London, 10,880km away and Paris, 10,720km away. A trip to Japan and Korea would take half that time. The same journey in one of carrier's regular planes would have taken about 18 hours. It would have also meant a stop at Taipei or Tokyo.

About 140 passengers, including 15 journalists from Singapore and the region, made the historic trip to the American west coast in SIA's new long-range aircraft, the A345LeaderShip. It was the first such journey to test the limits of the new plane, which Emirates began flying at the end of last year from Dubai to Sydney, a distance of about 12,000km. When the aircraft landed, two fire engines sprayed water on it for good luck.

SIA also flies to San Francisco and New York, and has an arrangement with other airlines that allows its passengers to fly to a number of other American cities, from Seattle to Washington DC to Mexico City. It suspended its flights to Chicago and Las Vegas last year and has no plans to relaunch them.

Passengers on the inaugural flight were full of praise for the new service because of the time it saves them. Mr Ignatius J. Rasiah, 46, who flies to the United States four or five times a year on business, said that depending on his final destination, the journey can take more than 20 hours and include two transfers.

The chief technology officer of research and development (Asia) at PerkinElmer, a life sciences research company at Ayer Rajah Crescent, added: 'It can be very irritating when you have stopovers, because you have to lug your hand luggage in and out of the plane, join queues and go through security checks.' One of his company's vice-presidents, Mr John Tan, 40, who was on board too, said the non-stop flight allowed him to better divide his time working and sleeping.

Because there are 181 seats instead of the usual 300 plus, passengers had more leg room and found it easier to move around during the flight between the two meals served, and to get to the snack bars. There, they could pick up chocolate bars and chips in economy and hot snacks like omelettes and instant noodles in business class. Champagne was served throughout the flight.

Flight fares currently costs the same as on SIA's other planes - $1,800 for economy and $7,000 for business class. Despite their long hours of work, the cabin crew still looked fresh when they said their good-byes. The real challenge, however, is expected to be the flight back to Singapore which is expected to take almost 19 hours because the plane will be flying against the wind.

-- With additional information from Jane Ng and Goh Chin Lian

chrisaus, those are monster but super clear and nice shots! Thanks for posting! ;)

Latest news!

13 Feb 2004 1958 hrs (GMT)
SIA will consider Boeing's new 7E7 airliner in fleet expansion

Singapore Airlines says it will consider Boeing's new 7E7 plan when it next expands its fleet. CEO Chew Choon Seng told Bloomberg News that if the 7E7's efficiency is as good as Boeing claims, then SIA would look at it with great interest.

These are reassuring words for Boeing, which was overtaken by European rival Airbus last year as the world's biggest maker of commercial aircraft. The 7E7 is advertised as using 20 per cent less fuel per seat than current models and will be able to carry up to 300 passengers. - CNA

Great thread, RafflesCity and Huaiwei! :okay: Though I'd like to see some more airline pics instead of food pics. ;) (The food in Raffles Class does look very tasty, though!).

I've flown Singapore Air once, from AMS to EWR (and back) and found it the best airline I've ever experienced. Now I didn't fly much other airlines (Icelandair and TAP Air Portugal being the only other ones)... but I found flying with Singapore a very pleasent experience! :)

Wow...how much is there to post about one airline...?
But I have to admit, SA is the best Airline I ever flew with!!!
:okay:

I have to say, in my opinion, SQ is really one of the best airline in the world.

Their aircrafts are always at the top in terms of comfort and entertainment, but what makes SQ really great I think is the very high level of professionalism of its crew. I've flown many airlines, and some have very friendly crews, but I've never experienced such a great mix of friendliness and professionalism like SQ.

22 April 2005

SIA, SilkAir to raise fuel surcharge amid rising oil prices

SINGAPORE : Amid rising global oil prices, Singapore Airlines has said it is raising its fuel surcharge on all passenger tickets starting next month.

The largest increase is for flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. The fuel surcharge will be raised to US$10, up from US$4.

For all long haul flights, the fuel surcharge will be raised to US$30 per sector, up from US$22.

But the fuel surcharge for all flights between Singapore and nine regional cities, including Bangkok, Jakarta, Denpasar and Ho Chi Minh City, will remain unchanged at US$10.

SIA says the hike will still not offset the increase in costs arising from recent record jet fuel prices.

At US$70 per barrel, the additional fuel cost to the airline will be in excess of US$300 million for the financial year 2005/06.

Meantime, SilkAir will also raise its fuel surcharge from May.

But this will only apply to flights between Singapore and India, as well as Singapore and China.

The surcharge will be raised to US$30, from US$22.

The surcharge on all other SilkAir flights stays unchanged at US$10 per sector. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Those nine cities seems familiar....LCC destinations? :D

Singapore Airlines - 1983

Singapore temporarily replaced its Singapore Girl from the cover with the Boeing 747-300 "Megatop". SIA launched the extended upper deck aircraft in 1983. Not to be confused with the 747-400, the 300 was basically a -200 with the upper deck stretch and slightly uprated engines. It was a stopgap measure until the 1989 arrival of the 747-400.

http://www.airchive.com/Timetables%20and%20Maps/Asia/SINGAPORE-cover8304.jpg

The route map in 1983

http://www.airchive.com/Timetables%20and%20Maps/Asia/SINGAPORE-map8304.jpg

April 26, 2005
Runway mishap: SIA plane stopped in the wrong place

By Teh Joo Lin

SINGAPORE Airlines has suspended two pilots over an incident involving one of its planes and a Thai Airways jetliner at Bangkok's Don Muang Airport last Tuesday night.

The aircraft clipped wings while on the ground, resulting in damage to both: The Thai jet lost its wing-tip, while SIA's had its left wing-tip damaged.

Yesterday, SIA said its pilots were suspended pending an 'ongoing inquiry' by Singapore and Thai authorities.

In the statement, SIA also admitted that its aircraft had stopped on a part of the taxiway where it was not supposed to. But it added it was 'premature to address questions of cause at this point'.

But in Bangkok, Thai Deputy Transport Minister Phumtham Wechayachai came out strongly against SIA.

During a press conference, he said SIA's Boeing 777-200 was parked 194m away from its required position, citing a preliminary investigation by a ministry-appointed panel.

He added that the Thai government regarded the incident as 'very serious'.

Mr Phumtham said: 'The ministry has set up a committee to study new measures to prevent a similar accident from happening again.'

In response, SIA noted that investigations are still continuing and should be allowed 'to proceed with the maximum cooperation from involved parties, and Singapore Airlines will continue to cooperate fully'.

It added: 'We are interested in how this happened to ensure there is no recurrence.'

Last Tuesday's accident occurred while the Hongkong-bound Thai Airways Airbus A330 was headed for the runway.

The passengers on board had to be transferred to another plane after the accident.

The SIA plane was able to taxi to the terminal, where its 276 passengers and 16 crew safely disembarked.

No one was injured.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

babystan where did you get those old ads from? Theyre so cool! :eek:

very nostalgic

babystan where did you get those old ads from? Theyre so cool! :eek:

very nostalgic

Haha.....from this website......:D

http://www.airchive.com/SITE%20PAGES/TIMETABLES-ASIA.html

Interesting :cool:

In those days I heard flying from Singapore to London would require 2 or 3 stops: Bangkok, Bahrain & Zurich

lemme see if I can dig up any stuff :yes:

Interesting :cool:

In those days I heard flying from Singapore to London would require 2 or 3 stops: Bangkok, Bahrain & Zurich

lemme see if I can dig up any stuff :yes:

Yeah.....my dad took a SIA flight from Sg to frankfurt b4 in those days.......and he told me he stop in Bangkok and Bahrain before going to frankfurt finally.....:yes:

I wonder why they need to stop in Bangkok..maybe not enough passengers then to fill up a plane.

Today, Bahrain has been bypassed...

I wonder why they need to stop in Bangkok..maybe not enough passengers then to fill up a plane.

Today, Bahrain has been bypassed...

Yeah......overtaken by Dubai I guess.......now only used by Gulf Air as a hub.....:yes:

According to the Dutch news (RTL4) 10.000 persons have already subscribed to the first commercial A380 flight. This flight will be Singapore Airlines from SIN to LHR. They quote an SQ official who said that they will have a lottery to determine who can fly. More info on the SQ website.

Source: ( Dutch only) http://www.rtl.nl/(/actueel/rtlnieuws/)/components/actueel/rtlnieuws/2005/05_mei/02/buitenland/0502_2000_airbus_belangstelling.xml

According to the Dutch news (RTL4) 10.000 persons have already subscribed to the first commercial A380 flight. This flight will be Singapore Airlines from SIN to LHR. They quote an SQ official who said that they will have a lottery to determine who can fly. More info on the SQ website.

Source: ( Dutch only) http://www.rtl.nl/(/actueel/rtlnieuws/)/components/actueel/rtlnieuws/2005/05_mei/02/buitenland/0502_2000_airbus_belangstelling.xml

Wah!!!! Must depend on luck one ah?? :eek:

Wah!!!! Must depend on luck one ah?? :eek:

sure is cool babystan..must be a huge rush for the first ticket like:):yes:

sure is cool babystan..must be a huge rush for the first ticket like:):yes:

I supposed some aviation enthusiats (rich) might come to SIN just to take the flight?? :eek::D

I supposed some aviation enthusiats (rich) might come to SIN just to take the flight?? :eek::D

lets hope so,the rest of us who are not rich have to sit in the cargo-bay ;) :) :D

lets hope so,the rest of us who are not rich have to sit in the cargo-bay ;) :) :D

Haha.....wah that desperate ah?? :lol: :jk:

Business Times - 07 May 2005

SIA becomes world's largest Boeing 777 operator

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines now flies the world's largest fleet of Boeing 777s, following the delivery of a new medium-range 777-300 aircraft in Singapore on Saturday, the company said.

The jetliner's arrival in Singapore, after an 19-hour flight from Seattle, brings the number of Boeing 777s it operates to 58, the airline said in a statement .

Singapore Airlines said it now operates the world's biggest fleet of Boeing 777s, which can seat up to 365 passengers. It uses the planes on its long- and medium-haul routes.

Boeing said last December that the shipment would make Singapore Airlines the largest customer of 777 aircraft.

Singapore Airlines' fleet of Boeing aircraft includes 12 777-300s, 31 long-haul 777-200s and 15 777-200 extended-range jetliners, the statement said. The airline operates a total of 90 planes. Singapore Airlines, the world's No. 2 airline by market value, is awaiting delivery of 19 more 777-300 extended-range planes from the Chicago-based aerospace giant as part of a US$4.1 billion deal signed in December.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Yeah......overtaken by Dubai I guess.......now only used by Gulf Air as a hub.....:yes:


Not sure they stopped because of Dubai, it's because of the route used via Bahrain (competition between GF and SIA on that one). I don't know exactly what are the reasons, but maybe they'll come back after that open skies agreement, dunno for now.

May 8, 2005
SIA pilots second in desert race

THREE Singapore pilots braved blistering desert temperatures to take second place in a 250km foot race across China's Gobi Desert.

A three-man team from the United States, Team Illinois, beat them by three-and-a-half hours in the seven-day race, which ended last Sunday.

Mr Kenneth Koh, 40; Mr Aloysius Wee, 39; and Mr Cheong Chee Wah, 40, all Singapore Airlines pilots, are back in Singapore after the gruelling race, organised by RacingThePlanet.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2005-05-08/10d.jpg
TERRIFIC TRIO (from left) Mr Wee, Mr Cheong and Mr Koh beaming after coming in second in the 250km race.

Some 90 people from such countries as Australia, Canada and Japan took part. They ran the equivalent of six marathons back to back.

There is no prize money, just the satisfaction of completing one of the toughest races in the world.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 11 May 2005

SIA profit ups 64% to $1.39b despite higher oil prices

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines reported on Wednesday a 63.6-per cent rise in net profit to $1.39 billion for the year to March despite record high oil prices and rising competition from low-cost airlines.

SIA said the result, up from $849.3 million in the previous financial year, reflected a stronger operational performance, the sale of aircraft and strong contributions from its subsidiaries.

'Everyone across the group has worked very hard throughout the year to deliver this outstanding result,' SIA chief executive officer Chew Choon Seng said.

The performance was in in line with market expectations for a net profit of $1.14-1.52 billion.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

SIA becomes world's largest Boeing 777 operator


wow...quite an achievement but probably also because they dont have any smaller aircraft.

Singapore Airlines slashes fare to USA

http://www.zeenews.com/links/articles.asp?ssid=53&aid=217057&newsid=BUS

Business Times - 18 May 2005

SIA, China Great Wall embark on cargo venture

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines Ltd said on Wednesday that it will form a cargo airline venture with Beijing-backed China Great Wall Industry Corp to service the mainland, with possible future expansion to destinations in the United States and Europe.

Great Wall Airline Co is expected to begin flying in early 2006, the airline said.

Singapore Airlines, the world's second most valuable airline, said in a statement its cargo division would own 25 per cent of the new venture while China Great Wall would control the majority stake with 51 per cent. Dahlia Investments, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Singapore government's investment agency, Temasek Holdings, would own the remaining 24 percent.

The airline's investment in the venture over the next three years is projected at around 250 million yuan (US$30 million).
Read SIA's press release

The Singapore government has been urging companies in the Republic to expand business links with China. A swath of companies linked to Temasek have ventured into the mainland, investing in everything from ports to housing projects.

In addition to destinations within China, it plans to extend its cargo runs to the United States, Europe and other parts of Asia, the statement said.

It did not say how many freighters would be involved in the Shanghai-headquartered venture but Singapore Airlines Cargo operates a fleet of 14 Mega Ark Boeing 747-400 cargo planes, with another two scheduled for delivery this year and three more by 2009.

China Great Wall Industry Corp is a state-owned trading company. Singapore Airlines is majority-owned by Temasek, which has an international portfolio of investments nearing $100 billion.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

20 May 2005

Indonesia may allow more SIA flights to Bali, Jakarta: report
By Loh Kim Chin, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Indonesia may let Singapore Airlines increase the number of flights to Jakarta and the resort island of Bali, a report has said.

Bloomberg quoted Indonesian Transport Minister Hatta Rajasa as saying that Indonesia is keeping its limit on overseas low-fare carriers that want to compete with Garuda.

Officials from both Singapore and Indonesia are due to meet Wednesday for air talks, and the issue of low-cost airlines is one of the items on the agenda.

Low-cost carriers based in Singapore are keen to fly to Indonesia, but earlier this year, Jakarta decided not to grant foreign budget carrier additional access to certain key cities.

The Bloomberg report also quoted Mr Rajasa as saying that Indonesia is likely to block a request from Singapore for an open skies policy, which will offer unlimited access to the country's aviation market.

Garuda's margins have been depressed amid growing competition in the sector, and Jakarta is anxious to ensure profitability at the state-run carrier.

As for Bali, Mr Rajasa said Singapore's quota for Denpasar on Bali island has been fully used and that it would not be fair if this was not increased. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 30 May 2005

SIA adds an extra flight to Beijing

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines (SIA) will add an extra daily service to Beijing next month to bring its total number of flights to the Chinese capital each day to three, the flag carrier said on Monday.

'This represents a 50 per cent increase in capacity from the current twice daily flights, or an additional 288 seats a day, and provides business and leisure travellers with more choices of flight times,' SIA said in a statement.

The new service, SQ822, will depart for Beijing from Singapore's Changi airport at 0850 GMT and on the return trip, flight SQ821 will leave the Chinese capital at 1555 GMT, the statement said.

SIA, one of the world's most profitable airlines, reported record earnings of $1.39 billion (US$842 million) in the year to March despite high oil prices and competition from low-fare carriers.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

31 May 2005

Jakarta to allow SIA to raise seat capacity to Indonesian cities
By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Indonesia has agreed to let Singapore's carriers increase seat capacity on flights into Indonesian cities.

An official from Indonesia's Transport Ministry says SIA will be allowed to raise capacity by 15 percent.

The move comes less than a week after both sides met to discuss easing landing restrictions.

Commuters can soon expect more flights into Indonesian cities like Bali, Jakarta and Denpasar.

Currently, SIA handles 154 flights to Jakarta and Denpasar weekly.

This is set to go up as transport officials from Indonesia and Singapore continue to iron out details of the in-principle agreement to expand air rights.

In exchange, Indonesia has stated its intention of having more fifth freedom rights, meaning more flights making a stopover in Singapore en route from Indonesia to other destinations.

Analysts predict the increased capacity won't be much of a factor in SIA's bottom line.

Said Christopher Sanda, airline analyst at DBS Vickers Securities, "What is interesting is what's not in the announcement, which is the additional capacity for other airlines, like Valuair, or Tiger Air."

That is because Indonesia had been restricting landing rights to the fast-expanding Asian budget carriers to protect its national carrier Garuda.

The Indonesian carrier had posted a first-quarter loss of S$14.6 million, nearly double its loss in 2004.

Said Mr Sanda, "Implicit is that the Indonesian government sees SIA as less of a threat in the sense that SIA serves a high-end market, high-end leisure travellers and business travellers. The Indonesians love to see those people come to Bali, Jakarta. However, what they don't want to see is lose their bread and butter flights to all over Indonesia for all the destinations to Indonesia."

A SIA spokesperson said the company would not comment on this latest development because it is a government-to-government agreement.

He added that it was an in-principal agreement and not a formal one, but they were also expecting the deal to be signed soon. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Fly now, pay later on Singapore Airlines

http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/jun/13air.htm

Business Times - 16 Jun 2005

SIA passenger, cargo factors lowest in years

This while airline continues to boost capacity on key Asia Pacific routes

By VEN SREENIVASAN

SINGAPORE Airlines' passenger and cargo load factors fell to their lowest levels in years last month as the airline continued to boost capacity on key routes in the Asia Pacific.

SIA's passenger load factor dipped to 67.4 per cent last month as a 5.5 per cent increase in passenger carriage (in passenger kilometres) came amid a 6.8 per cent increase in systemwide capacity (in available seat kilometres).

This is the lowest since May 2003, when a sharp drop in air travel during the Sars pandemic resulted in its passenger load factor diving to 53.1 per cent. Last month's passenger load factor was also down from 68.2 per cent in May 2004, and 71.5 per cent in April 2005.

The pressure on load factor was the result of the airline introducing more flights to Ahmedabad and Amritsar, as well as boosting capacity on existing routes in the West Asia, East Asia and South-west Pacific regions, such as those to Mumbai, Kolkata, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth.

But the airline said it enjoyed the largest growth in passenger traffic on its East Asian routes. This was mainly due to an increase in demand for travel on the South-east Asia routes.

Meanwhile, flat cargo traffic (measured in freight tonne-km) versus a capacity increase of 7.8 per cent, particularly in the bellyhold of flights on the West Asia and South West Pacific routes, saw cargo capacity drop to 60.2 per cent in May. During the same month last year, SIA enjoyed a cargo load factor of 64.6 per cent.

Also weighing down on cargo load factor was the addition of more freighter services to Europe to cater to strong demand from West Asia (in particular Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi).

Overall load factor for the month was 62.8 per cent, the lowest since April 2003 when it registered a load factor of 58.7 per cent.

Meanwhile, Changi Airport reported that its passenger volumes rose by 9.8 per cent to 2.61 million last month from a year ago, driven by increased demand for air travel during the Vesak Day weekend.

In the first five months of 2005, Changi Airport registered a total of 12.64 million passengers, a 7.1 per cent year-on-year increase. But Changi's air cargo throughput dropped 1.7 per cent year on year to 145,200 tonnes in May.

In all, Changi Airport handled 719,900 tonnes of cargo from January to May 2005 - a 1.9 per cent growth compared to the same period a year ago.

Seventy nine airlines operate more than 3,900 weekly flights flight Changi.

SIA shares inched up 10 cents to $11.50 yesterday, still off their 52-week high of $12.90.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

I wonder how many passengers Changi is expected to handle this year.

I wonder how many passengers Changi is expected to handle this year.

I expect it to be about 32 million......:yes:

oh good..an increase :yes:

oh good..an increase :yes:

I think the situation is rather encouraging.......the lower airfares is stimulating regional travel.......:yes:

June 21, 2005
Learn a language when you fly SIA

LANGUAGE tutors are taking to the skies with Singapore Airlines offering passengers language lessons on its inflight entertainment system, alongside music, games and movies-on-demand.

Called the Berlitz Word Traveler, the programme offers a crash course in English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese. The selection will be bumped up to over 20 languages later this year.

The lessons focus on words, numbers, dates and key phases in dialogue, taught through tests, games and pronunciation modules.

Those who complete a course get e-mailed a certificate.

The service was started last July on five SIA aircraft flying non-stop to New York and Los Angeles.

It is now available on over two-thirds of the airline's 90-strong fleet, on aircraft that are fitted with the Wisemen3000 entertainment system.

The programme is the result of a tie-up with American language school Berlitz International, which has centres in countries such as Singapore and Japan.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

27 June 2005

SIA introducing direct flights between Tokyo and Bangkok

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines is introducing a six-times weekly direct service between Bangkok and Tokyo in September.

Customers travelling between Singapore and Tokyo will now have the option to stop over in Bangkok before proceeding with their onward travel.

SQ996 will depart Singapore at 2035hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 2200hrs for a one-hour stopover before continuing to Tokyo and arriving there the following morning at 0655hrs.

In the reverse route, SQ995 will depart Tokyo at 0925hrs, arriving in Bangkok at 1335hrs for a one-hour stopover before continuing on to Singapore. It will arrive in Singapore 1800hrs on the same day.-CNA /ls

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

any good reasons of why introducing direct flights between tokyo and bkk...to capture more japanese passengers going to bkk at the expense of singaporeans' comfort to travel directly to tokyo huh?

would the price for 2 different options be different?
:runaway:

27 June 2005

SIA introducing direct flights between Tokyo and Bangkok

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines is introducing a six-times weekly direct service between Bangkok and Tokyo in September.

Customers travelling between Singapore and Tokyo will now have the option to stop over in Bangkok before proceeding with their onward travel.

SQ996 will depart Singapore at 2035hrs and arrive in Bangkok at 2200hrs for a one-hour stopover before continuing to Tokyo and arriving there the following morning at 0655hrs.

In the reverse route, SQ995 will depart Tokyo at 0925hrs, arriving in Bangkok at 1335hrs for a one-hour stopover before continuing on to Singapore. It will arrive in Singapore 1800hrs on the same day.-CNA /ls

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

any good reasons of why introducing direct flights between tokyo and bkk...to capture more japanese passengers going to bkk at the expense of singaporeans' comfort to travel directly to tokyo huh?

would the price for 2 different options be different?
:runaway:

I guess could be due to demand (lots of jap cars manufactured in Thailand)....secondly, pick up more passengers at Bangkok.....:yes:

Direct traffic between Singapore and Tokyo still available (in fact the bulk of the flights), the Singapore-Bangkok-Tokyo route is just another option.....:yes:

yeah..saw hordes of japanese tourists at the airport and the red-light district. Happened to walk past that district near the Silom, and could see many prostitutes bewitching many japanese "otousan" and many of the shops have their japanese words written.

Look like BKK is really a Japanese's haven to escape indescribable stress in Japan. Even the Kabuki-Chio, Shinjuku could not hold the candle to BKK seedy district.

One more thing, you can find the "fugu" restauarant in Kabuki-Chio and I was very tempted to try it out but it is so pricey. I think about 1/4 of the fugu wouild fetch S$400... :eek2:

But the fugu look very cute with the fat face with the slim tails. It looks like a bat that the baseball players use. I heard from my friend that you have to sign the indemnity not to hold any responsibility against any japanese chef should one die from poisoning.

:runaway:


I guess could be due to demand (lots of jap cars manufactured in Thailand)....secondly, pick up more passengers at Bangkok.....:yes:

Direct traffic between Singapore and Tokyo still available (in fact the bulk of the flights), the Singapore-Bangkok-Tokyo route is just another option.....:yes:

huh i want to try fugu :( two slices would be how mucH? $50?

June 21, 2005
Learn a language when you fly SIA

LANGUAGE tutors are taking to the skies with Singapore Airlines offering passengers language lessons on its inflight entertainment system, alongside music, games and movies-on-demand.

Called the Berlitz Word Traveler, the programme offers a crash course in English, French, German, Russian, Spanish, Greek, Portuguese, Italian, Mandarin, Cantonese and Japanese. The selection will be bumped up to over 20 languages later this year.

The lessons focus on words, numbers, dates and key phases in dialogue, taught through tests, games and pronunciation modules.

Those who complete a course get e-mailed a certificate.

The service was started last July on five SIA aircraft flying non-stop to New York and Los Angeles.

It is now available on over two-thirds of the airline's 90-strong fleet, on aircraft that are fitted with the Wisemen3000 entertainment system.

The programme is the result of a tie-up with American language school Berlitz International, which has centres in countries such as Singapore and Japan.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

that is pretty cool:yes:
wonder if i can get a job at SIA to learning out swedish;)

ok babystan..repeat after me:)

Jag heter babystan - my name is babystan
Jag gillar SSC - i like SSC

^

:lol:

June 29, 2005
Emirates backs SIA stand on Australia-US route
Australia is losing millions in tourist revenue, says Dubai carrier

SYDNEY - ANOTHER major carrier - Emirates Airways - has come out with a report backing Singapore Airlines' stand that the lack of competition on the Qantas-dominated Australia-US route is costing millions of lost tourist dollars a year for Australia.

A report, commissioned by SIA and released earlier this month, had concluded that Australia was losing more than A$126 million (S$160 million) a year in lost tourism revenue, by refusing to allow other carriers to compete on the lucrative trans-Pacific route.

Echoing the claim by Econtech, an Australian economic consultancy, Emirates said a new entrant on the route 'would surely provide public benefit to Australia', the Sydney Morning Herald said yesterday.

In response to claims by Qantas about the unfair advantages government-owned carriers such as Emirates and SIA enjoyed, the Dubai-based carrier said it wanted to 'set the record straight on the numerous misconceptions that are sometimes promoted by competitors'.

It said Emirates had not received any subsidies since it was established with US$10 million (S$17 million) in seed capital from the Dubai government in 1985.

The Gulf-based carrier said Qantas had done better from government hand-outs, noting the A$700 million in debt the Australian government scrubbed off its books in 1992.

In all, Qantas had more than A$1 billion of its debt paid off by the government before it was listed in 1995.

While Emirates shelved plans to lobby the Australian government for access to the trans-Pacific route, it said 'additional competition on this route would undoubtedly increase the number of travellers and the volume of goods being shipped - as experienced on the kangaroo route where Qantas fares per kilometre are more competitive than those on other comparable routes within their network'.

It said economy fares on the Sydney-LA route were up to 45 per cent more expensive on a per kilometre basis than those from Sydney to London.

The report said the A$1,699 return fare from Sydney to Los Angeles quoted on April 24 worked out to 7 Australian cents a kilometre. This compared to 4.8 Australian cents a kilometre for a A$1,649 return fare to London.

The Emirates figure was well above the 17 per cent premium on the LA route cited in the SIA-commissioned Econtech report, which a top Qantas official - chief financial officer Peter Gregg - had dismissed as 'obviously written by someone who knows nothing about the aviation industry'.

Qantas spokesman Belinda de Rome said Emirates' concerns over the higher airfares to LA on a per kilometre basis were misleading, given they did not take into account 'constraints such as weather and distance'. She said Qantas had payload restrictions on flights to LA.

Despite the debate on the trans-Pacific issue shifting to talk of a possible merger between Qantas and SIA, there remained pressure within ranks of the ruling Liberal party for SIA to be granted access to the LA route, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

One policy resolution passed at the Liberal Party federal council over the weekend was for the federal government 'to urgently consider adopting an 'open skies' policy and allow increased airline access to air routes to and from Australia', the newspaper said.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

This story was printed from TODAYonline

High oil prices a concern: SIA

Wednesday • June 29, 2005

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said yesterday it was monitoring the rise in oil prices and its impact on operating costs.

"Continuing high oil and jet fuel prices are a concern and we are tracking the trends closely," an SIA spokesman said, but did not elaborate.

Benchmark crude oil prices hit a record closing high of US$60.54 per barrel in New York on Monday, prompting fears of another round of surcharges by airlines in their battle to offset fuel costs.

Fuel costs accounted for 25.2 per cent of SIA's total costs for the year to March, rising to $2.15 billion from $1.46 billion and overtaking staff costs, which accounted for 17.9 per cent of total costs. SIA first imposed a fuel surcharge on passenger tickets in June last year when jet-fuel prices hit US$40 per barrel. It raised the surcharge three times subsequently when jet fuel prices reached US$50, US$60 and US$70 per barrel. — Dow Jones

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

Singapore Airlines launches promotional fare scheme

Our Bureau

Kolkata , July 4

with a view to providing a boost to its passenger load factor on the Kolkata-Singapore sector during the current lean season, Singapore Airlines today announced a promotional return fare, excluding taxes, of Rs 4,000 on the Kolkata-Singapore-Kolkata sector.

note : Rs 4000 is 155.63 SGD :yes:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/05/stories/2005070503411700.htm

Thanks for that useful conversion rate drwho! :happy:

Business Times - 06 Jul 2005

SIA Cargo starts new services to Johannesburg

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines Cargo said on Wednesday it is launching new services to Johannesburg to meet growing trade demand between Asia and South Africa.

The cargo carrier said in a press release the new twice weekly flights to the capital of South Africa on a Boeing Co's 747-400 plane, will make stops in Brussels and Dallas.

'With strong traffic growth being experienced between these markets, we hope that these services will be beneficial to our customers and further stimulate trade,' SIA Cargo's President Hwang Teng Aun said in the release.

Cargo traffic flows into South Africa comprise largely of industrial parts while automotive products, seafood and flowers make up a significant share of cargo shipments to Asia, SIA Cargo said.

The new services will enable SIA Cargo to increase its capacity to Johannesburg as it currently uses Singapore Airlines' existing passenger flights to the South Africa.

SIA Cargo operates a fleet of 14 Boeing 747-400 freighters that fly to 68 cities globally. It will get two more aircraft in September and December this year and will convert three passenger planes to carry cargo, to be delivered between 2007 and 2009.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Thanks for that useful conversion rate drwho! :happy:

you are welcome raffie :yes: :)

7 July 2005
SIA raising its fuel surcharge soon

Singapore Airlines is raising its fuel surcharge for all its passenger flights from the 20th of this month.

The surcharge for routes between Singapore and various Southeast Asian cities will go up by 2 US dollars to 12 US dollars.

These are Bandar Seri Bagawan, Bangkok, Manila, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

The surcharge for all other flights will increase from 5 US dollars to 45 US dollars.

SIA says the price of jet fuel has jumped 46 percent from a year ago.

The carrier also says it'll conitnue to monitor and review review the surcharge regularly.

Copyright © 2005 MediaCorp Radio Internet Development Unit

Singapore Air plans more services from Bangalore

Bangalore , July 6

SINGAPORE Airlines hopes it could operate daily service from Bangalore by the year-end when it expected the Indian Government to accept its request for enhancing the frequency under bilateral air services exchange.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/07/stories/2005070701201700.htm

Business Times - 11 Jul 2005

Govt happy to cut SIA stake: Cheow Tong

And SIA CEO says aviation industry must consolidate as soaring oil prices hit profits

(SINGAPORE) The Singapore government would be 'very happy' to cut its 57 per cent stake in Singapore Airlines, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said yesterday. Mr Yeo made the comment when he said the government will encourage SIA to pursue links with Qantas Airways, including a possible merger.

The minister, who appeared on Nine Network's Business Sunday programme, said Asia's two largest airlines outside Japan may initially seek to cooperate on maintenance and other services rather than to merge.

The momentum for Qantas and SIA to tie up grew yesterday when SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng said in Sydney that the global airline industry needs to consolidate as soaring oil prices continue to hit profits.

He noted SIA and Qantas are discussing sharing maintenance facilities for the new Airbus 380 super jumbo, which both carriers plan to fly.

'It makes sense that neither of us duplicate facilities but rather put our heads together and see where we can have joint efforts and share facilities and thereby spread costs,' Mr Chew told the Business Sunday programme.

Indicating a top-down initiative, Mr Chew said he was surprised Singapore and Aussie politicians were talking up prospects of a merger, although he agreed that consolidation in the airline industry was overdue.

The SIA chief said he had not expected comments from Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Singapore Transport Minister Yeo Chow Tong last month canvassing the prospects of a merger between the fierce regional rivals.

'I had the sense a bit of being told that I was going to get married and I didn't know about it, but my own take is that the industry is due for consolidation,' Mr Chew said.

Any merger appears to be a long way off, however. Transport Minister Yeo said a merger remains unlikely under present regulatory conditions. 'I don't see the two airlines agreeing to a merger at this point of time because there are many, many issues to be discussed.

'Hopefully, as time passes and as the Australian regulators appreciate better what's happened on the international scene and the fact that the Australian market is actually quite competitive, they may agree to a merger between Qantas and one of the other airlines serving Australia, whether it's SIA or another airline,' Mr Yeo said. 'So far, you'd be talking about cooperation on things that are not related to the management of the airline.' Last year, Qantas was blocked by regulators from forming an alliance with Air New Zealand.

Last month, Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon said the carrier likely would form an alliance with an overseas carrier in the future, and named SIA among possible partners.

Mr Dixon supports relaxing a foreign ownership cap in Qantas, which currently allows single foreign airlines to own no more than 25 per cent of its stock and limits overall foreign ownership to 49 per cent of the carrier. - Bloomberg, AP, AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 11 Jul 2005

Higher SIA fuel surcharge will yield $350m more

And London bombs impact seen as modest, short-lived

By VEN SREENIVASAN

SINGAPORE Airlines will recover an additional $350 million of its fuel costs from an impending increase in its fuel surcharge, analysts said, adding that the impact of the London bomb blasts is likely to be modest and short-lived.

The carrier said last week that the surcharge for flights between Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan, Bangkok, Denpasar, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Penang and Surabaya will be raised on July 20 to US$12 from US$10, while that for other international routes will be raised to US$45 from US$30. SIA's regional subsidiary, SilkAir, will also levy a higher fuel surcharge.

Analysts said they were not surprised by the decision, given that jet fuel has climbed sharply from US$58 per barrel (pbl) on which its previous surcharges were based. Jet fuel is now over US$70 pbl.

Seah Hiang Hong of Kim Eng Research expects the higher surcharge to rake in additional revenue of $350 million.

'Together with the increase back in April, SIA is only able to cover about 50-60 per cent of the increase in fuel costs,' he noted. 'Current spot fuel price is 36 per cent higher than the average price of US$53 pbl for the financial year ended March 2005, translating into additional expenses of about $1 billion per annum.'

GK Goh Research agrees.

In a report late last week, it points out that SIA could only recover $500 million from its previous fuel surcharge hike. 'With this new increase, we estimate that fuel surcharges will now recover about $850 million. FY06 fuel cost is now estimated to increase by $1.15 billion year-on-year.'

As of May this year, about 32 per cent of SIA's fuel cost was hedged - at an average of US$54 pbl for the current fiscal year.

The fuel surcharge hike has prompted Rohan Suppiah of OCBC Investment Research to bump up his net profit forecast for SIA by 6 per cent to $1.05 billion, which is still a 28.3 per cent year-on-year decline from last year's $1.39 billion.

'This is solely on the back of higher fuel costs, since we still expect loads to be higher this financial year,' he noted.

But Chris Sanda of DBS Vickers Research sees the fuel surcharge hike as an ominous sign for the airline. 'The move is negative, not because it does not help the bottom line, but because it is symptomatic of a larger problem,' he said. 'In other words, fuel surcharge and SIA's 'declining wedge' only partially hedge the higher fuel price.'

Analysts also touched on the impact of the London bomb blasts on SIA, which flies three times a day to the British capital and gets 8 per cent of its revenue on its UK route.

Kim Eng's Mr Seah expects only a short-term impact on SIA's loads. 'Unlike 9/11 - when planes were used to mount attacks, thereby negatively impacting air travel at large - any possible fallout will be limited to selected routes,' he said. 'Even then, demand could simply shift from Europe to other destinations, leaving little impact on overall demand.'

Meanwhile, Mr Suppiah noted that SIA was somewhat protected from sharp gyrations in loads by the fact that it was a premium airline that focused on business travel.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

SIA offers four live TV channels on long-haul flights

21 Jul 05

FANCY watching a live English Premier League football match on your next flight to London?

You can now do so on Singapore Airlines (SIA), which introduced live satellite TV on its flights yesterday.

Passengers will need their laptop computers to access the service. SIA plans to roll out the service to all passengers via its KrisWorld entertainment system sometime next year.

The service offers four channels - BBC World, EuroNews, Eurosportnews and CNBC - beamed live on flights between Singapore and London.

The service will be extended later to other long-haul flights, said Mr Eric Tong, SIA's inflight entertainment services manager.

The latest innovation follows the March launch of 'Connexion by Boeing', an inflight high-speed Internet service for all three passenger classes.

Said Mr Shukor Yusof, aviation editor with Standard and Poor's: 'SIA has once again shown its ability to stay ahead of the competition with this new product. I am sure this will appeal to the road warriors among us.'

Ms Hiromi Yamaguchi, an SIA passenger who caught the new live TV service when it went on trial last week, said: 'Once you see the news on TV, you can communicate through Internet. It's very efficient.'

Another passenger, Mr Rene Bergkamp, said: 'It's nice to have the option of live TV. When something like the London terrorist attack happens, you can keep track of events.'

To mark the launch of onboard live TV, SIA is offering its passengers free use of its Internet and live TV service until Aug 3.

Thereafter, it will charge a flat US$29.95 (S$51) for unlimited access on flights longer than six hours.

Alternatively, travellers can pay US$9.95 for the first half hour, and US$0.25 a minute thereafter.

Business Times - 27 Jul 2005

SIA proposes 2 new paid share award plans

Schemes meant to retain key senior staff in wake of wage cuts

By VEN SREENIVASAN

SINGAPORE Airlines is introducing two new employee share plans to help it recruit, reward and retain top-performing executives.

The SIA Restricted Share Plan (RSP) and the SIA Performance Share Plan (PSP) are additions to its existing employee stock option schemes, the Senior Executive Share Option Scheme and the Employee Share Option Scheme (ESOS).

Shareholders vote on the new schemes at an extraordinary general meeting following the company's 33rd annual general meeting tomorrow.

In a circular to shareholders, SIA said the new share plans would give the company greater flexibility in remunerating key senior management and executives.

'With this flexibility, the company's competitiveness in attracting and retaining talented key senior management and senior executives will be further strengthened,' the airline said in the note.

Under the new share plans, awardees may receive fully paid ordinary shares or cash or a combination of both, provided that they meet performance targets set in the award. This is different from the existing ESOS, where an employee gets the rights to subscribe for new ordinary shares in the future at predetermined prices.

The PSP is meant for a select group of key senior management responsible for driving the long term strategic growth of the company, while the PSP is for a broader base of senior executives, who have shorter term performance targets. The shares can be either newly issued or existing shares.

The scheme appears to follow the example of senior executive reward schemes used by other leading companies like DBS bank, Capitaland and SembCorp Industries.

For SIA, which has undergone a series of cost restructurings following a difficult 2003, the scheme is designed to retain good senior staff in the wake of significant wage cuts.

Company officials declined to elaborate on the financial effects of the new scheme, citing the 'blackout period' prior to the release of its quarterly results. But with SIA to expense accounting stock options this year, there could be some impact on its bottom line.

In a circular to employees, SIA said the fair value of employee services received in exchange for the grant of the awards would be recognised as a charge to the profit and loss account over the period between 'the grant date and the vesting date of the award'. The total amount of the charge over the vesting period is determined with reference to the fair value of each award at the grant date.

'The amount of the charge to the profit and loss account also depends on whether or not the performance target attached to an award is a market condition, that is, a condition which is related to the market price of the ordinary shares,' SIA said.

Analysts do not seem unduly concerned.

'The number of options for SIA is fairly low relative to its profit of well over $1 billion,' said Chris Sanda of DBS Vickers. 'The impact of any form of option expensing should be fairly modest. It is a bigger deal for technology companies.'

Indeed, US technology companies were among the biggest spenders on stock-based compensation last year. Tech firms in the S&P 500 spent a total of US$15.43 billion on employee stock options.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 27 Jul 2005

SIA voted World's Best Int'l Airline for 10th year

(SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines has been voted the World's Best International Airline for the 10th consecutive year by leading US travel magazine, Travel+Leisure.

And its subsidiary SilkAir was voted 10th place in the same survey, giving SIA two positions in the top 10 ranking of the annual survey.

The results are tabulated from votes sent by subscribers from countries all over the world who assess global airlines for cabin comfort, food, in-flight service, as well as customer service and value.

The latest award is just another of a long list of repeat awards that the Singapore carrier has been winning over the past years.

Last year, it was placed No 1 on Conde Nast Traveler (US) Readers' Choice Award for the 16th consecutive year.

It also won Swiss-based Travel Inside Magazine's Golden Star Award for the 11th consecutive year, and CommonWealth Magazine's The Most Admired Company Award for the 7th year running.

And it also clinched the UK-based Wanderlust Travel award in the Top Major Airline Category for the fourth consecutive year in 2004.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 28 Jul 2005

SIA Q4 profit seen falling by a third on high fuel costs

SINGAPORE Airlines is expected to report today that quarterly profits slumped by a third, its second straight quarterly earnings drop, as the world's second most-valuable airline struggles with rising fuel costs.

The cost of jet fuel traded in Singapore has risen by more than 40 per cent since the start of the year. With fuel accounting for a quarter of total group expenditures, SIA now spends more on fuel than on salaries for its 13,500 staff.

But in an industry where many rivals fail to achieve steady profits, its operating margin of 11.3 per cent compared with an industry average of 7.7 per cent makes SIA the world's fifth most profitable carrier, according to Reuters data.

Analysts say that part of this is due to its success in hedging its jet fuel requirements in the futures market.

'They main question is: How much have they improved their fuel hedging,' said Glenford Tan, an analyst at Singapore brokerage GK Goh, who rates the stock a 'hold'.

SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng said in May that he expected fuel costs to remain high for the foreseeable future and that it had hedged 32 per cent of the 36 million barrels of jet fuel budgeted for 2005/06. It aims to hedge 30-60 per cent of its fuel needs.

SIA is forecast to report fiscal first-quarter net profit of about $175 million, according to the average of four analyst estimates, down 32 per cent from $259 million a year earlier.

Fourth-quarter profit came to $298 million, when earnings fell for the first time in eight quarters.

For the full year to March 2006, net profit is expected to decline by 11.5 per cent to about $1.23 billion. - Reuters

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

July 30, 2005
SIA gains slip 8% on stiff fuel costs
They make up 32% of spending but revenue rises 12% on heavier traffic

By Arthur Poon

RISING fuel costs took their toll on Singapore Airlines' (SIA) net profit, pushing it down for a second straight quarter - though the results were better than analysts had expected.

Net profit for the three months to June 30 fell 7.9 per cent to $234.6 million, from a revised $255 million in the previous year. Analysts had reckoned the figure would come in at $209 million.

Fuel costs for the carrier's first quarter shot up 58 per cent to $892 million, or 32 per cent of total expenditure, up from 23.3 per cent previously.

Cushioning the fall in net profit was an 11.7 per cent rise in revenue to $3.04 billion, thanks to higher passenger and cargo traffic, according to SIA's results released yesterday.

The carrier reported carrying a record 4.01 million passengers in the first quarter, up 6.6 per cent from the previous year.

Meanwhile, to partially offset the effects of more expensive fuel on operating costs, SIA has increased the fuel surcharge on its tickets, effective from July 20.

Also, SIA said in May it had hedged a third of its 36 million barrel kerosene budget for 2005/2006. It aims to hedge 30 to 60 per cent of its fuel needs.

Hedging involves locking in the prices of future purchases of fuel for a certain period, regardless of daily price movements.

The carrier said yesterday: 'Demand for air travel has remained firm so far, despite rising fuel prices in recent months.

'However, on the cost side, in a persistently high fuel price environment, the benefits of hedging will be reduced because the hedge programme is being implemented at higher prices.'

However, Standard & Poor's aviation writer Shukor Yusof noted: 'If oil prices remain at these levels, SIA's costs will definitely continue to rise. But SIA is such a slick outfit, it would go to great lengths to maintain its lead in the market.'

Earnings per share fell 7.9 per cent to 19.3 cents from 20.9 cents previously.

SIA shares lost 20 cents to $11.90 yesterday, prior to the release of the results.

Two units, SIA Engineering and Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats), both reported better results for the quarter.

SIA Engineering's profit rose 27.1 per cent from a year earlier to $55.3 million as aircraft maintenance and repair picked up. Sats, the baggage-handling and catering arm, earned $51 million, 4.5 per cent more than in the previous year.

Separately, SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng has reiterated that the carrier is not interested in combining with Australia's Qantas Airways.

'The concept is interesting in the sense that it's what the banks and other industries are doing,' he said at an annual shareholders' meeting on Thursday.

'For the international airline industry, it's still somewhere off.'

arthurp@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 16 Aug 2005

SIA passenger load factor at 18-month high

By VEN SREENIVASAN

SINGAPORE Airlines flew 6.8 per cent more passengers in July, outpacing capacity growth of 5.8 per cent and lifting its passenger load factor to 78.7 per cent - the highest level since January 2004.

The figure was 0.7 of a percentage point up on the same month last year and 3.5 percentage points better than in June this year.

SIA increased flights to West Asia, the South West Pacific and East Asia. But it was the Americas that boosted its overall load factor 3.7 per cent. Non-stop US services performed exceptionally well and accounted for much of the strong growth.

Cargo traffic kept pace with capacity expansion. Each grew 8 per cent in July. As a result, the cargo load factor was 63 per cent - up slightly from 62.8 per cent last year.

The cargo load factor for the Americas improved 4 percentage points, largely because of double-digit growth on freighter services from Los Angeles to Singapore via Brussels and India.

SIA's overall load factor was 69.1 per cent - the highest since October last year. Analysts say the airline's passenger numbers are growing strongly, and that with a reported shift in the passenger mix towards front-class seats, SIA is poised to enjoy good yields.

Its aggressive response to the challenge from low-cost carriers is also paying off in terms of traffic growth.

And the latest cargo numbers should ease the concerns of those who felt that capacity expansion was outpacing traffic growth.

But while the cargo load factor has bounced up from recent lows, there is still concern that soaring energy prices could crimp economic activity and thus weigh down cargo yields and growth.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

23 August 2005

SIA signs 10-year maintenance pact with General Electric

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines (SIA) signed a 10-year agreement Tuesday with General Electric Company for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of engines that will power its fleet of 19 Boeing 777-300ER planes.

SIA plans to put the aircraft into service for its long and medium-haul routes in 2006, the airline said in a statement without giving a value for the contract.

Under the agreement, General Electric will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the GE90-115B engines that will power the aircraft.

"By entering into such arrangements, our maintenance costs become more predictable and correspond directly with our operating pattern," SIA senior executive vice president for operations and services Bey Soo Khiang.

SIA, a high-end Asian carrier whose aircraft choices are closely followed by competitors, currently operates 90 wide-bodied planes comprising 27 Boeing 747s, 58 Boeing 777s and five Airbus A340-500s.

The airline will be the launch customer for the Airbus A380 super jumbo, with 10 firm orders and options for a further 15 of the world's biggest commercial plane.

Delivery for the A380 is expected in November next year, eight months later than originally promised by its European manufacturer.

SIA last year announced it will purchase up to 31 long-range Boeing 777-300ER in an order estimated to be worth US$7.35 billion for delivery between 2006 and 2010.

The planes will be powered by the new GE90-115B model. - AFP /ch

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

29 August 2005

Singapore Airlines launches extra flights to Australia, Taiwan

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines (SIA) will launch extra flights to two Australian cities and Taipei later this year in response to strong travel demand, the carrier said Monday.

"The extra flights are part of Singapore Airlines' ongoing efforts to match capacity with demand, and will see more use of supplementary flights during peak seasons for some destinations," SIA said in a statement.

From October 30 to March 25 next year, the carrier will operate three additional flights from Singapore to Taipei, raising its frequency to the city to 17 times a week.

For the same period, SIA will launch an extra flight to the Australian city of Adelaide, bringing the carrier's weekly flights to five times weekly.

From November 2 to January 27, the carrier will fly three times daily to Perth, raising its weekly flight services from 18 to 21 during the period.

SIA is one of the world's most profitable airlines with net profits of 1.39 billion Singapore dollars (830 million US) in the year to March 2005.- AFP /ct

Copyright © 2005 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 08 Sep 2005

SIA to raise fuel surcharge to cover higher oil cost

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Thursday said it will raise its fuel surcharge again by as much as US$5 to cope with higher oil bills, boosting its highest levy to US$0.50 per passenger.

SIA said the hike was needed as jet fuel prices had risen to US$80 a barrel from US$70 in July, when the last surcharge adjustment was made.

It said the new fuel levy 'will offer only partial relief from higher operating costs' arising from increased oil expenses.

It said the charges will be raised by US$3 to US$15 per sector for flights between Singapore and Bandar Seri Begawan, Bangkok, Denpasar, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Penang and Surabaya.

For all other destinations, the levy will be raised by US$5 to US$50 per sector, the carrier said.

The new fuel levy will take effect on or after Sept 14.

SIA is one of the world's most profitable airlines but it has not escaped from the impact of higher oil prices.

In the first quarter to June, the airline's net profit fell 7.9 per cent year-on-year to $235 million (US$140 million) as fuel expenses increased.

The airline said net fuel costs of US$892 million accounted for 32 per cent of the group's expenditure, compared with 23.3 per cent the year before.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sept 11, 2005

HUNDREDS OF GROUND-HANDLING JOBS AT STAKE
SIA, Qantas in tit-for-tat spat?
Qantas may not renew Sats ground-handling contract after SIA fails to do the same in Australia

By Chua Kong Ho

THE rocky relationship between Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Qantas shows signs of flaring up again. This time, the deal at stake is a baggage- and passenger-handling contract.

Both airlines had been using each other's ground-handling services until last month, when SIA failed to renew its contract with Qantas in Australia.

The decision has raised the possibility of a tit-for-tat move by Qantas, whose ground-handling contract with an SIA subsidiary expires at the end of next month.

Negotiations have yet to start, but the Australian carrier is determined to drive a hard bargain with Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats).

It has also held talks with one of the two rivals of Sats here.

Said Qantas' executive general manager for airports and catering, Mr Grant Fenn: 'We have made no decision to move away from Sats, but given the termination of Singapore Airlines' Australian contract, we would expect to have access to substantially lower ground-handling rates in Singapore.'

He also confirmed that Qantas has discussed its requirements with Swissport but no agreement has been reached.

Swissport Singapore president and chief executive Peter Kohl said: 'It's a good opportunity for us. We're actively wooing Qantas and have made visits to Australia to discuss their needs.'

The other rival, Changi International Airport Services (CIAS), declined to disclose whether similar talks had been held with Qantas.

SIA's parting of ways with Qantas in Australia was over price. Said its spokesman, Mr Stephen Forshaw: 'It's disappointing that Qantas could not meet our objective for cost savings when other providers in the market are able to do so.'

According to Australian media reports, SIA had sought a 30-per-cent discount.

Mr Forshaw, replying to queries from The Sunday Times, stressed that the decision 'has nothing to do with the transpacific issue'.

The two airlines are locked in a dispute over permission for SIA to pick up passengers in Australia and fly them to the United States.

Following SIA's decision, about 300 Qantas jobs are expected to be lost, a situation that may strike Sats as well if Qantas walks away. That's because the Australian carrier is Sats' second-largest customer after parent SIA.

Last year, Sats laid off 9 per cent of its staff, which now totals 8,521. It now handles 53 airlines, giving it control of 77 per cent of the Singapore market.

In the last 12 months, it gained eight new customers, including three budget carriers, but lost Emirates to CIAS and Swiss International to Swissport.

Said a Sats spokesman: 'We have enjoyed a good partnership with Qantas in Singapore and hope to continue this relationship for the long term. We are confident that the final decision from Qantas will be a rational one.'

Analysts such as Mr Seah Hiang Hong, head of research at stock brokerage Kim Eng Securities, are optimistic that Qantas would not act out of retaliation.

Said Mr Seah: 'When changing, there must be confidence that the service standards will not suffer as a result. It would also depend on the terms that Sats, Swissport and CIAS offer.'

kongho@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

SIA kicks off ultra-long-haul contest

Singapore Airlines (SIA) expects to decide before year-end on an order for ultra-long-range aircraft and, because Boeing is involved in the pitch, there is no certainty the Star Alliance carrier will continue with the Airbus A340-500.

http://www.flightinternational.co.uk/Articles/2005/08/23/201129/SIA+kicks+off+ultra-long-haul+contest.html

woot!

but those aircraft are already plying the SIN-US nonstop routes...maybe they'll do a swap like they did previously, in exchange for the new long range 777s....but I prefer a 4-engined aircraft for such long routes :)

why?

15 September 2005

SIA's overall load factor stable in August
By Loh Kim Chin, Channel NewsAsia

SIA has reported a marginal 0.1-point drop in its overall load factor for August from a year ago.

It managed to fill 67.3 percent of its passenger and cargo space.

Its passenger load factor was down 0.5 point to 76.4 while its cargo load was down 0.3 point to 61.6.

The most significant drop in its passenger and cargo load was recorded in the south-west Pacific region.

SIA says the Americas region continues to show strong growth with load factors growing by 4.4 percentage points.

This is due to the high demand for the non-stop Singapore-USA services and on trans-Atlantic flights. - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Sept 16, 2005
SIA to decide on its new aircraft by year end
Fuel efficiency a major factor with rocketing oil prices

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

SINGAPORE Airlines is expected to decide by the year end which new planes it wants to buy to renew its fleet.

With sky-rocketing oil prices, fuel efficiency will likely be high on its checklist as it shops for its third major aircraft purchase in five years.

The new aircraft will be for fleet renewal and to handle future expansion of services and capacity, spokesman Stephen Forshaw told The Straits Times.

SIA yesterday reported that it filled 76.4 per cent of its passenger seats last month, up slightly from 75.9 per cent a year ago. Cargo did not perform as well, with 61.6 per cent of total space taken up, compared to 61.9 per cent in August last year.

SIA last month asked manufacturers Airbus and Boeing to submit proposals for ultra long-range aircraft like the Airbus 340-500, which now flies non-stop between Singapore and the United States, as well as medium-range and big planes.

SIA has a fleet of 90 aircraft, with an average age of just over five years.

In August last year, it ordered 18 Boeing 777-300ER planes, with an option to buy another 13.

This time round, a tough contest is expected in all three classes. For the ultra long-haul order, Airbus will press SIA to take more of its A340-500 aircraft, while Boeing pushes its 777-200LR.

Likely contenders for the medium-range planes are Airbus' A350 and Boeing's 787.

Jet fuel prices hit a record high of US$84.26 (S$141.41) a barrel on Sept 2 in Singapore, making it all the more urgent for airlines to contain consumption.

Said Mr Forshaw: 'New aircraft also use more modern technology, which means greater fuel efficiency. In a sustained high fuel-cost environment, using modern technology ensures we optimise our fuel consumption.'

Here, Boeing is confident it has a winner in the 787, which it unveiled in December 2003. The US manufacturer says the aircraft is designed to burn 20 per cent less fuel than planes of similar size.

However, European competitor Airbus said in June its new A350, which has yet to be approved for production, will have 4 per cent better fuel efficiency per seat than the 787.

SIA is not the only carrier battling high fuel prices.

Airlines worldwide could lose up to US$7.4 billion this year.

To recover part of the cost, many airlines impose a fuel surcharge on the end-user.

SIA, which introduced the surcharge in June last year, announced its fifth round of increases last week.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Sept 22, 2005
SIA simplifies online booking - boost for switch to e-tickets

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

THE days of the paper air ticket are as good as numbered in Singapore, with nine out of 10 Singapore Airlines (SIA) travellers here now opting for electronic tickets.

To encourage the remaining few to switch, SIA has attempted to simplify the process of online booking even further.

Instead of seven clicks of a mouse and about 15 minutes, the airline says it now takes five clicks and less than 10 minutes to complete a booking.

Travellers will also find the new system more user-friendly, said SIA spokesman Stephen Forshaw.

For example, when a user picks a travel date, the system will offer suggestions of any cheaper flights that may be available around the same time, Mr Forshaw said.

Passengers who say no to paper also save money, because airlines impose a $30 surcharge on paper tickets.

The trend towards e-ticketing is a global one, said Mr Albert Tjoeng, the Asia-Pacific spokesman for the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

The body, which represents 265 airlines, wants all carriers to become 100 per cent electronic by the end of 2007.

Because an e-ticket costs only about $1.70 to process, compared with $16 for a paper ticket, the move will save the industry up to US$3 billion(S$5 billion) a year, Mr Tjoeng estimates.

In global terms, there is still some way to go to meet this target, though e-ticketing is catching on fast.

Last year, 18.8 per cent of tickets issued worldwide were e-tickets, but by July this year, the figure had risen to more than 30 per cent.

And while just 20 per cent of the 400 airlines surveyed by the Iata had e-ticketing technology in November last year, the figure was up to 35 per cent in May this year.

Mr Tjoeng said: 'What is significant is that these airlines now account for 86 per cent of all air tickets issued.'

The switch from paper is critical for airlines coping with sky-high fuel prices and other cost increases, according to Iata.

It also helps full-service carriers cut costs to compete with budget airlines.

E-tickets benefit travel agents too, saving them the cost of delivering tickets to customers, said Miss Alicia Seah, general manager of SA Tours.

As for the $30 surcharge on a paper ticket, she said: 'The money goes to the airline so it makes no difference to us whether we collect the surcharge or not.'
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

23 September 2005
SilkAir to take over SIA Shenzhen, Surabaya routes

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines (SIA) said its regional unit SilkAir will take over its services to the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen and Indonesia's second largest city Surabaya from October 30.

SIA said the changes, which are still awaiting regulators' approval, will allow the airline to "better optimise" its resources.

"The transfer will boost substantially the group's existing flight frequencies on the Shenzhen and Surabaya routes," SIA said in a statement.

"This will present customers with a choice of flight times and more connections through Singapore's Changi airport," it said.

When it takes over the two Asian routes, SilkAir will deploy Airbus A319 and A320 single-aisle planes with capacity of 118 to 142 seats, smaller than the Boeing 777-200 jets with capacity of 288-323 seats used by SIA.

SilkAir will however increase flight frequencies to the two destinations.

It will fly to Surabaya 14 times a week or twice daily, more than double SIA's existing schedule of six-times-weekly service to the Indonesian city.

SilkAir will fly six times a week to Shenzhen, up from the current four times offered by its parent.

The SIA regional unit currently flies from the city-state to 24 destinations in nine Asian countries. - AFP/de

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Silkair will be one of the few foreign airlines that fly to Shenzhen.

Sinagpore airlines announces special offer

NEW DELHI: Singapore Airlines on Monday announced a Hong Kong Disneyland holiday offer, priced at Rs 16,999 per person, to include a stopover at Singapore to tourists on a Hong Kong vacation.

The economy class offer, which excludes taxes, would include hotel accommodation at Singapore and free entry to tourist destinations such as Juron Bird Park and Sentosa Island, the airline said in a release here.

The promotion, which would be sold till October 8 and meant for travel out of India by November 15, would be valid from cities such as Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

The SIA oeprates 41 flights a week to and from seven Indian destinations. - PTI

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/businessline/blnus/09261506.htm

16999RS=651.77SGD

Sleep in Givenchy style on SIA first class

27 Sep 05

SINGAPORE Airlines passengers travelling in first class will be given designer sleeper suits.

The newly-designed pyjamas, by French fashion house Givenchy, feature sporty V-neck collars with half zippers and stylish cuffed sleeves.

'We want our passengers to feel as comfortable and at ease onboard our flights as they would at home, and these new sleeper suits allow them to do just that,' said Ms Betty Wong, SIA's vice-president for in-flight services. 'With the new design, the suits have the versatility to be used as sleepwear as well as sporting gear.'

The sleeper suits, available in light or dark grey, come in four sizes: small, medium, large and extra large.

'Our passengers can lounge in them onboard or wear them off the plane,' said Ms Wong.

They are now available on Singapore flights to and from Shanghai, Beijing, London and Sydney, and will soon be introduced on all flights.

SIA's first-class passengers already enjoy other Givenchy-designed luxury items, like complimentary eye shades, sockettes and duvets.

They are also treated to an exclusive range of Bulgari toiletries, including fragrances, lip balms, eye masks, body lotion and aftershave.

^
Hmm....I supposed thats a result of keen competition......:yes:

^
Hmm....I supposed thats a result of keen competition......:yes:

yeap:)
more services comming up for customers:)

Sept 28, 2005
Thai Airways says sorry for remarks against SIA

By Arthur Poon

THAI Airways has apologised for an accusation made by one of its officials that Singapore Airlines (SIA) unfairly charges too low a fuel surcharge to win over customers.

Thai Airways vice-president for sales Wallop Bhukkanasut had said SIA's practice of charging substantially lower fuel surcharges on air tickets than industry standards was a breach of ethics guidelines, the Bangkok Post newspaper reported yesterday.

When contacted yesterday, Thai Airways' public relations office, however, said Mr Bhukkanasut's comments did not reflect the airline's position and it has since apologised to SIA.

Industry observers say there is no cartel and airlines are free to charge whatever they deem fit.

'Individual carriers decide on the amount of the fuel surcharge,' said Mr Albert Tjoeng, corporate communications manager at International Air Transport Association (Iata), the umbrella body for more than 270 airlines.

Standard & Poor's aviation editor Shukor Yusof said: 'SIA's ability to offer lower fuel surcharges to passengers ought to be applauded, not castigated.'

SIA said yesterday that 'its fuel surcharge policy is consistent with the high impact that escalating jet fuel prices have had on the airline'.

Thai Airways hiked fuel surcharges on domestic and overseas flights by as much as 50 per cent last month, after reporting its worst quarterly loss in more than five years.

Soaring fuel costs were the main cause of its 4.78 billion baht (S$198 million) loss in the April-June quarter.

A check with travel agents here showed that on some routes, SIA has almost the same fuel levy as other carriers but Thai Airways charges significantly more.

Ms Alicia Seah, general manager of SA Tours, said a $102 fuel surcharge on a Thai Airways return ticket to Bangkok is significantly higher than most of the airline's rivals.

SIA and Indonesia's Garuda charge only $68 and $78 respectively.

According to Chan Brothers, the fuel surcharge on the Singapore-London route imposed by airlines such as SIA, Cathay Pacific and British Airways is about $186. Thai Airways charges $288, 55 per cent more.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved

30 September 2005

US planemaker Boeing expects more orders for its Dreamliner jet
By Anjana Menon, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : US aircraft manufacturer Boeing is hoping to bag more orders from Singapore Airlines for its Dreamliner 787.

The plane is scheduled to hit the skies in three years.

And so far, Boeing has received 273 orders for the plane which it said would use 20 percent less fuel than others in its class.

Michael Bair, Vice President and General Manager of the Dreamliner project, explained to our correspondent why plane orders are up and away.

He said: "It's really turning out to be a robust market for airplane sales so the reason for that is if you look around the world the economies are doing well, air travel is at record levels and airlines need plenty of planes and they are ordering lots more airplanes.''

The biggest market for Boeing planes continues to be Japan but in terms of growth, the Chinese market is rising faster than any in the world while the Indian market is beginning to show potential.

He said: "India has a very, very large middle class population and if you look at the percentage of them that travel by air then it's small compared to other middle class populations, so we see huge potential in India and then the rest of the Asian basin in general...the growth rates are better than the rest of the world.

Mr Bair also said he was confident of receiving orders from Singapore Airlines for the Dreamliner.

He said: "They have put out an RFP for additional wide body airplanes - we're responding to that RFP and we're very,very confident that we will be successful and have a good year-end here in Singapore with SIA. We're very confident of the offer."

However Boeing faces tough competition not just in Asia but in the rest of the world as well.

He said: "We're restructuring our production process in order to build an airplane at a more affordable cost to us and price therefore to the customer. If oil prices continue to dampen economic growth then it's clear that would impact sales but right now, we see very little impact in terms of airline sales." - CNA /ch

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

got a feeling SIA will buy Boeing...its been quite pro-Boeing in the past

I wonder how Boeing and Airbus compared in terms of fuel efficiency?? :? (it could be an important deciding factor since fuel prices are so high)

dunno...true fuel is the rage now

I've always preferred Boeing though for some reason :happy:

SIA usually gets the best plane possible, no matter who the manufacturer is; they can afford it. Sometimes, they even operate two competing planes (A310/757) just to see which fits better. And just because they've bought a bunch of planes (A340-300) doesn't mean that they'll stick to it. The same applies to engines, otherwise, SIA's 772ERs would be powered by pratt & whitney, instead of the RR they're using today.

Ain't SIA grand? :)

Oct 3, 2005
SIA takes second look at Boeing's B787 aircraft

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

AIRCRAFT maker Boeing is confident that Singapore Airlines (SIA) will buy some of its new Boeing 787 aircraft to fly to regional destinations.

Boeing's vice-president for the 787 programme, Mr Mike Bair, who is in town to market the plane which starts flying in 2008, said the aircraft is 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than any other aircraft in a similar class. He said: 'The aircraft will be a wonderful addition to SIA's fleet.'

SIA, which intends to order new aircraft later this year, is looking at the B787 - which can carry about 260 passengers in a three-class configuration - as well as other Boeing and Airbus aircraft types.

Last year, SIA said 'no' to the B787, which can fly up to 15 or 16 hours - for example from Singapore to London - because it did not meet the airline's 'financial criteria'.

On the price tag, Mr Bair said: 'We will be very competitive.'

When contacted, an SIA spokesman said only that the proposals are still being evaluated, adding that the year-end target is not cast in stone. 'We will take as long as it is required to thoroughly evaluate all proposals before making a final decision.'

So far, Chicago-based Boeing is pleased with the orders it has for the B787, said Mr Bair, adding that 13 airlines including All Nippon Airways and Air New Zealand have ordered a total of 174 planes.

A likely competitor is the Airbus 350-800, which will be available to airlines from 2010, two years after Boeing's B787 starts flying.

Last year, France-based Airbus delivered 320 planes and Boeing 285, as the United States group lagged behind its rival for the second straight year. The tables may turn again this year.

In July, Boeing said it had received new orders for 439 planes, versus 276 for Airbus.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 04 Oct 2005

SIA, Amex launch exclusive card

SINGAPORE Airlines and American Express (Amex) yesterday launched an exclusive card for top-tier frequent travellers of the airline.

Called the Amex Singapore Airlines PPS (Priority Passenger Services) Club Platinum Credit Card, it will offer one KrisFlyer mile for every dollar spent.

'The exclusive Singapore Airlines PPS Club membership is highly sought after and accorded only to our most frequent First and Raffles Class customers,' said SIA loyalty marketing vice-president Lim Wee Kok.

Card-holders will receive 25,000 KrisFlyer miles for use towards seat upgrades and economy/ economy saver class redemptions. Upon activation of the card, members will also receive 5,000 KrisFlyer miles. They can enjoy a host of other benefits, including unlimited, complimentary golf at local and regional golf clubs and access to 30 courses here and around the world.

Other card member benefits include American Express 24-hour concierge service, up to $1 million travel accident insurance and travel inconvenience insurance.

All PPS Club members residing in Singapore will be eligible for the card. Invitations to apply will be sent to qualified members by Singapore Airlines.

The latest tie-up follows an existing co-branding relationship the two parties have built in the last five years. In 2000, they launched the KrisFlyer Gold Credit Card.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

i like this photo : http://www.airliners.net/open.file/928641/M/
taken on SIA B777 :)

Singapore Airlines to begin Hyderabad operations on Oct 30 with a B777
Hyderabad | October 05, 2005 7:46:52 PM IST

http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=129868&cat=India

Business Times - 07 Oct 2005

It's Hyderabad for SIA from Oct 30

(SINGAPORE) From Oct 30, Singapore Airlines (SIA) is to fly directly to Hyderabad in India, taking over the route offered by its regional wing, SilkAir.

SIA plans to fly to India's fifth largest metropolis and capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh four times weekly - on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays - using Boeing 777-200 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft. SilkAir will cease flying to Hyderabad on Oct 28.

'Known as the second Silicon Valley of India after Bangalore, Hyderabad not only boasts a thriving IT-community of world class IT infrastructure and companies, but the city is also a smorgasbord of cultural, culinary and scenic delights,' SIA said in its announcement. All flights to Hyderabad leave Singapore in the evening, and arrive on the same day.

Starting from the same day as its inaugural flight to Hyderabad, SIA is also increasing its service to Bangalore. It is adding two weekly flights to the destination, making it a five-times-a-week service.

'Singapore Airlines is committed to open new vistas for business and leisure tourism in India. The new services to Hyderabad and increased frequencies to Bangalore will meet the growing demand for travel to and from the new-technology capitals,' said SIA's senior vice-president for West Asia and Africa, Tan Chik Quee.

SIA said the new flights to Bangalore will be earlier in the day than previous ones, allowing more connecting-flight options.

With the service to Hyderabad, SIA will fly to eight Indian destinations - the others being Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai and New Delhi - with 45 non-stop services a week.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

12 October 2005

SIA plans to fly to Moscow by mid next year: MM Lee
By Teo Chia Leen, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines plans to fly to Moscow by mid next year, but the move will need the approval of Russian regulatory authorities.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who is on a visit to Moscow, revealed this to reporters.

Singapore Airlines, which has been studying the Russian market for some years now, plans to tap into this middle class market.

It sees tourist traffic heading from Southeast Asia to Moscow in the summer and is confident of the Russian interest in Southeast Asia during the winter months.

"The tourism market is high on our agenda because a lot of Russians are travelling to exotic destinations in the Far East, Singapore and Southeast Asia," said Jayaraj Shanmugam, general manager (Russia) at Singapore Airlines.

"We have seen a lot Russians heading to Phuket, Hanoi, Bali, Saigon and even to Australia. So it's going to be a fair mix of tourism and business travel," he added.

There is an air service agreement between Singapore and Russia but Singapore Airlines says it is still undecided if it will fly direct to Moscow or stop-over in Dubai or Bangkok.

There are some 45 international airlines flying to Russia. Asian airlines like Thai Airways are planning to fly to Russia in November. - CNA /ls

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Oct 14, 2005
Long wait for Aussie-US route: Report

By Arthur Poon

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) could add $270 million to its annual revenue from a Sydney-Los Angeles service, but according to a new report released yesterday, the Australian government will not grant SIA access to the route until the end of next year at the earliest.

If it proves true, the report by research house Merrill Lynch will be a blow to SIA, which has been lobbying intensely for over a decade to fly the trans-Pacific route.

Merrill Lynch aviation analyst Paul Dewberry, who wrote the report, told The Straits Times yesterday: 'With Virgin Blue and even Emirates also requesting trans-Pacific access, we believe SIA will continue to be frustrated in its efforts to fly the route.'

Mr Dewberry sees a limited entry late next year as the best-case scenario for SIA.

Responding, SIA spokesman Stephen Forshaw said: 'That's only their assessment.' He added that 'the scope of SIA's entry is up to the Australian government'.

On the report's forecast of a revenue increase, Mr Forshaw said: 'The study is based on the analyst's own projections. We do our own studies on all routes we fly, or potentially want to fly, but we obviously don't do single-number estimates, like this one. We work on ranges under various scenarios.'

On Monday, SIA signed a A$12 million (S$15.6 million) deal with Tourism Australia to promote Australia as a tourist destination. Each will contribute A$2 million a year over the next three years.

SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng earlier denied suggestions that it was a ploy to gain support for the airline's trans-Pacific ambitions.

SIA recently commissioned a report by Australian business consultancy EconTech, which noted that Australia was losing more than A$126 million a year in tourism spending because of a lack of competition on the route.

In June, the Australian government deferred a decision on whether to award SIA rights to the profitable route.

Qantas enjoys a 75 per cent share of the route, which it shares only with United Airlines. It derives about 15 per cent of its net profit from its Sydney-Los Angeles flights.

The Australian government said it will not reconsider SIA's request until a review of Australia's aviation policy, which is due to be completed next month.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

SIA to replace Silk Air Services
http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=13963604

SIA to fly to Moscow...cool...I expect some colourful ads from them with the Kremlin or something :happy:

SilkAir to add Singapore-Thiruvananthapuram flight

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: SilkAir will begin an additional flight on the Thiruvananthapuram-Singapore sector in November. The new flight, which will be the airline's fourth flight between the two destinations, will operate on Fridays, a SilkAir press release said.

At present, the airline operates three flights a week between Thiruvananthapuram and Singapore. Once the new service is launched, the airline will have flights between the two cities on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The airline also operates five flights a week between Kochi and Singapore

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/18/stories/2005101803031901.htm

Business Times - 18 Oct 2005

SIA's Sept passenger loads hit 67.9%

By VEN SREENIVASAN

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) filled 67.9 per cent of the space on its planes last month, up from 67.6 per cent a year ago and also higher than in August.

The airline filled 76.5 per cent of seats system-wide versus 73.3 per cent last year, as revenue passenger kilometres grew 8.1 per cent amid a 3.6 per cent increase in available seat kilometres. In absolute numbers, SIA carried 9.3 per cent more passengers last month.

'Passenger load factors for most route regions improved over the same month last year except for the South-west Pacific region, which registered a slight decline mainly due to recent capacity increases introduced to the regions not yet being fully-absorbed by the market,' the airline said in a statement.

'The Americas and East Asia regions demonstrated strong growth, with load factors growing 6.9 and 4.3 percentage points respectively. This was due to higher demand for non-stop Singapore-US services and South-east Asia services respectively.'

SIA is believed to be enjoying load factors well over 80 per cent on its daily Singapore-Los Angeles and Singapore-New York non-stop services.

The airline filled 62.4 per cent of its cargo space versus 64.2 per cent in September last year. This was due to a combination of decrease in system-wide demand and increase in capacity. Analysts expect SIA to continue to enjoy strong passenger load factors. But they say high fuel prices and competition from low-cost carriers pose a challenge.

Singapore's Air Traffic Rights Committee recently granted more rights to the three low-cost carriers to destinations in India and Indonesia. Valuair will soon start services to Denpasar and Surabaya, while Tiger Airways will join Jetstar Asia in providing services to Kolkata in India. Jetstar has also clinched the rights to five flights a week flights to the Indian IT hub of Bangalore.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 20 Oct 2005

SIA, LOT sign code-sharing pact

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines (SIA) has signed a code-sharing pact with Poland's national airline LOT for flights between the region and the central European country, a joint statement said on Thursday.

With the agreement, which comes into effect on Oct 30, SIA passengers will be able to connect to LOT's daily services to the Polish capital Warsaw via Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Zurich, the statement said.

For LOT, its passengers can fly to Singapore through SIA's twice-daily flights from Frankfurt and daily flights from Zurich and Amsterdam.

They can also fly on to other Southeast Asian and South West Pacific destinations through SIA's regional network.

'We are happy about this new codeshare agreement because it reflects our growing and developing relationship with LOT Polish Airlines,' said Huang Cheng Eng, SIA's executive vice president for marketing and the regions.

'Our customers will now have more travel options into Poland via Warsaw and we look forward to developing tourism into Poland and Central and Eastern Europe,' he said.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

SIA to fly to Moscow...cool...I expect some colourful ads from them with the Kremlin or something :happy:

we'll have to see how Thai Airways gonna react..coz Thai gonna start flying to Moscow (Domodedovo) too this November..too bad that Thai not gonna utilise their brand new A340-500..their using MD-11 for this route..
but im sure THAI's first class service will make up for this..cheers..

24 October 2005

Final SQ 006 passenger lawsuit in Singapore resolved
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The final chapter has closed on the 26 passenger lawsuits brought against SIA in Singapore in the wake of the SQ 006 crash.

Next Monday, it will have been exactly five years since SQ 006 crashed and broke up in a ball of flames on the tarmac of Taipei's Chiang Kai-Shek International Airport.

A total of 83 passengers died and another 57 were injured.

But the memories continue for people like Dutch homemaker Eva van Schijndel, who lost her husband, then the Singapore director of Lucent Technologies.

He left behind three young children.

Van Schijndel's case is the last of 26 lawsuits brought by passengers or their next-of-kin in Singapore against Singapore Airlines.

The other 25 cases, five of which were brought by Singaporeans, have been resolved or settled for undisclosed sums.

Although this case was scheduled to go to trial in open court, lawyers for both sides managed to come to a settlement.

The terms of the settlement are confidential, but payouts in cases like these are usually based on a number of factors, like the passenger's age, the number of dependents he had and their ages, his salary and projected earnings, had he lived.

One sum that was, however, made public was the Wu case.

Last year, a US jury awarded US$15 million to the children of the Wu couple who died in the plane crash.

So is this the end of litigation for SIA? Not quite.

The next round will centre on the dozen or so lawsuits filed just last week by lawyers of crew members.

Rajaram Ramiah of Wee, Ramayah and Partners, whose firm handled the bulk of the passenger lawsuits in Singapore, will also be handling the bulk of the crew lawsuits.

He said, "We have some current instructions to commence some action in relation to crew cases which have been filed and we should be going on with that to try and come to a resolution of some sort."

These could also include out-of-court settlements.

In addition, although all the passenger lawsuits in Singapore and the US have been resolved there are still a few cases pending in Taiwan. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 26 Oct 2005

Analysts expect 12% drop in SIA's Q2 profit to $313m

SINGAPORE Airlines, one of the world's most profitable carriers, is expected to suffer its third straight quarter of declining profits as the stubbornly-high price of jet fuel eats into its earnings.

The cost of jet fuel, the biggest single expense for airlines, has risen as much as 62 per cent this year. But as the global airline industry prepares for another year of multi-billion dollar losses, SIA's ability to weather rising costs stands out. Net profit for the July-September quarter will decline by 12 per cent to around $313 million, from $357 million a year ago, based on the mean forecast of six analysts polled by Reuters.

The world's second-biggest airline by market value after Southwest Airlines - and the third most profitable, according to Reuters data - reports its fiscal second quarter earnings tomorrow after 5pm.

'We expect the forthcoming result to show a solid performance, confirming our view that SIA is the best-performing airline in the Asian region at present,' said Peter Negline, an analyst at JP Morgan. He recommends to go 'overweight' on SIA.

The surge in fuel costs will also be reflected in results for the full year to the end of March. Net profit for 2005-06 will drop 5 per cent to around $1.33 billion, according to the average of 16 analysts' forecasts compiled by Reuters Estimates. The price of jet fuel traded in Singapore is now 44 per cent higher than at the start of 2005. SIA spent 50 per cent more on kerosene than on salaries for its 13,500 staff in the three months to June.

Analysts say SIA's relative resilience, as many of its rivals sink deeper into the red, reflects its success in using the futures market to reduce its exposure to rising fuel prices.

'Two key factors have helped mitigate the high fuel cost increases - the airline's hedging policy and the imposition of fuel surcharges,' Nomura analyst Lisa Lee said. SIA said previously it hedged 32 per cent of the 36 million barrels of jet fuel budgeted for 2005-06. It aims to hedge 30-60 per cent of its fuel needs. An industry insider said SIA's ability to make profits even when rivals are floundering is largely due to its different cost structure.

'Salaries at SIA are much lower, they don't have huge pension liabilities and staff benefits are much lower than at European or American players,' the executive said. - Reuters

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 27 Oct 2005

SIA reports modest fall in Q2 profit

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines on Thursday reported a modest fall in fiscal second quarter net profit due to high fuel costs.

The airline said net profit for the three months ended Sept 30 was $343.2 million (US$203.4 million), down from $357.3 million a year earlier.

The company said the airline's fuel costs in the first half of the fiscal year totalled about $2 billion, up 62 per cent from a year ago.

Chief executive Chew Choon Seng, in a speech to staff that was released to the stock exchange, said the second half will be 'equally if not more challenging' than the first half.

Fuel prices remain 'stubbornly' high and although the airline continues to hedge its exposure to fuel, the benefits are narrowing as the market factors in higher price trends, he said.

The airline had revenue in the first half of $6.4 billion, which was 11 per cent higher than a year earlier.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oct 28, 2005
'Ethics hotline' for SIA
Airline encourages those who deal with it to raise the alarm on any suspicious activity

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

SINGAPORE Airlines is asking staff, vendors, suppliers and anyone else who deals with the airline to tip it off if they encounter any suspicious activity within the company.

Since Oct 1, the airline has been operating a round-the-clock anonymous 'ethics hotline' for whistle-blowers to raise the alarm, either by telephone or e-mail.

SIA spokesman Stephen Forshaw would not say if any reports have been received since the hotline started or whether it was set up because of an increase in the number of fraud cases.

'We encourage customers to give us feedback on our service, so why shouldn't we also encourage those we do business with to give us feedback on the way we do business?' he told The Straits Times.

The ethics hotline, he said, is just one of several ways in which people can raise questions about the airline's business practices and make confidential reports about perceived irregularities.

SIA is among a growing number of companies here that have started whistle-blower programmes, said Associate Professor Mak Yuen Teen, co-director of the National University of Singapore's Corporate Governance and Financial Reporting Centre.

Others include SingTel, OCBC Bank and Keppel Corporation.

All banks in Singapore will also soon implement similar programmes, but so far, SIA seems to be the only carrier to do so.

By encouraging whistle-blowers, SIA will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the Teo Cheng Kiat case. In July 2000, Teo, then 47 and a former cabin-crew supervisor, was sentenced to 24 years' jail for siphoning off money from SIA accounts on an almost daily basis.

In 13 years, he amassed a staggering $35 million, escaping detection because he knew the procedure for processing SIA's cabin-crew allowances.

Between 1995 and 2002, Austin Perrott, an SIA customer service supervisor in Melbourne, amassed A$790,000 (S$1.01 million) in frequent-flier points by creating bogus accounts using fake passenger names and adding those names to flight passenger lists after the planes had landed. He redeemed A$222,508 on flights and a holiday and sold the rest for cash.

Perrott is now waiting to be sentenced.

karam@sph.com.sg
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 04 Nov 2005

SIA signs maintenance pact with Boeing

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines said on Friday it has signed a contract with Boeing covering the maintenance requirements of its fleet of Boeing 747-400 and 777 planes.

In a statement, the carrier said: 'With this agreement, Singapore Airlines expects to correct potential technical problems before they cause service disruptions while ensuring efficient inventory support and reduced inventory costs.'

Singapore Airlines, one of the world's most profitable carriers, has 27 Boeing 747-400s and 58 Boeing 777s in its passenger fleet of 90 aircraft, according to its website.

The carrier said it is the first airline to sign such an integrated maintenance agreement with Boeing. The statement did not give financial details of the contract.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Singapore Airlines Cargo to step up services

http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=13976884

Business Times - 15 Nov 2005

SIA load factor rises to 70.3%

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines, the world's second-biggest airline by stock market value, filled 70.3 per cent of the space available on its planes for passengers and cargo in October, up from 68.3 per cent a year earlier, it said on Tuesday.

This compares with 67.9 per cent in September.

Airlines worldwide are hoping for a recovery in traffic and load factors, a measure of how efficiently they filled the seats on their flights, but they face competition from low-price carriers and higher costs as jet fuel prices are close to record levels.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dec 2, 2005
China, S'pore free up direct air services
Landmark pact will allow unlimited number of flights to all Chinese cities

By Clarissa Oon
China Correspondent

BEIJING - SINGAPORE'S airlines can look forward to an unlimited number of flights to all Chinese cities under a pact signed by the two countries, the Republic's Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said in Beijing yesterday.

Mr Yeo and China's Civil Aviation Minister Yang Yuanyuan inked the landmark agreement on Wednesday lifting restrictions on direct air services between China and Singapore.

Airlines on both sides currently operate more than 170 weekly passenger and all-cargo services between Singapore and 18 Chinese cities - more than twice the number five years ago.

The new pact fully opens up the fast-growing China aviation market to Singapore Airlines, although spokesman Stephen Forshaw said the carrier had no plans yet to increase its number of flights to China.

The national carrier and its sister airline, SilkAir, currently operate 81 weekly passenger flights to nine cities in China, while its subsidiary SIA Cargo flies to five Chinese cities.

The agreement also allows low-cost carriers Tiger Airways and the merged entity of Valuair and Jetstar Asia to fly to Guangzhou and other cities in China.

A Transport Ministry spokesman told The Straits Times that Beijing and Shanghai would remain closed to the two budget airlines, but that the agreement opens up the other lucrative route of Guangzhou to them.

The expanded air services pact is a rare one and comes amid increasing high-level contacts between the two countries.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong met Chinese President Hu Jintao and other top leaders in Beijing at the end of October. On his trip, he also visited the economically vibrant north-eastern cities of Tianjin and Dalian.

Mr Yeo yesterday concluded his three-day visit to Beijing and Tianjin, aimed at strengthening cooperation in the transport and logistics sectors.

The minister said in a statement that the pact would 'provide opportunities for the airlines of both our countries to grow, riding on the phenomenal growth in China's civil aviation market'.

Air passenger traffic in China is likely to grow 7.3 per cent annually until 2023, faster than the global average of 5.2 per cent in the same period, according to a June estimate by Boeing, the world's second-largest commercial aircraft maker.

The fact that businessmen can travel more easily between the two countries could boost trade and investments for both economies, Mr Yeo told The Straits Times.

'Increased cargo flights means it will be easier for manufacturers in Singapore to supply their components and products to China,' he added.

With Chinese tourist arrivals to the Republic hitting double-digit growth in recent years, 'there is a clear demand for flights to Singapore and tourism exchange can only be enhanced', said Singapore Tourism Board's regional director for greater China, Mr Edmund Chua.

A Jetstar official said it was keen to explore the opportunities, while Tiger Airways said it had received the go-ahead from Singapore authorities to fly to three mainland cities.

Tiger, which currently does not operate flights to China, is waiting for approval from the Chinese authorities.

clare@sph.com.sg

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY KRIST BOO IN SINGAPORE

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 09 Dec 2005

SIA increases flights to Australia, India

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines (SIA) said on Friday it has increased flights to India and Australia to cater for seasonally high demand during the year-end holiday season.

The carrier said it has put another two flights to Perth, raising its frequency to the Australian city to 21 times a week.

For India, the carrier has launched an extra service to New Delhi this month, bringing its weekly frequency to eight and in January, SIA will add two more services on the route. SIA will also add one more flight to Amritsar from January onwards, raising its services to the Indian destination to four times a week. --AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 10 Dec 2005

SIA boosts India and Aussie holiday flights

(SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines Ltd (SIA), the world's second-largest carrier by market value, will add more flights to India and Australia this month and next to meet growing travel demand during the holiday season.

The carrier will add one additional weekly service to New Delhi this month and another two in January, making a total of 10 weekly flights, SIA said in a statement.

It will also add one more weekly flight to Amritsar next month, increasing the service to four a week.

In January, it will add two more services to Perth to reach a total of 21.

Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd and other carriers have been increasing capacity to boost passenger and cargo traffic as oil prices rise to record levels and competition from discount airlines intensifies.

Singapore Airlines chief executive Chew Choon Seng in May said that the carrier plans to increase its capacity by 4.8 per cent in the fiscal year ending March 2006.

The airline also plans to fly additional services to Taiwan and Malaysia to meet travel demand during the Chinese New Year holiday, it said.

SIA shares gained as much as 2.6 per cent to $11.80 in mid-afternoon trading here. It closed at $11.60.

The stock has risen 3.5 per cent this year, compared with a 12 per cent climb in the key Straits Times Index. - Bloomberg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 12 Dec 2005

China Southern Airlines leases 5 Airbus jets from SIA unit

SINGAPORE - China Southern Airlines will lease five new Airbus A320 jets for 12 years from Singapore Aircraft Leasing Company (Sale), the region's largest aircraft leasing company said on Monday.

The Guangzhou-based carrier will take delivery of the single aisle aircraft with a seating capacity of 158 passengers in the first-half of 2006, Sale said in a statement without disclosing the financial details of the deal.

Sale is the largest aircraft leasing firm in Asia and is owned by four shareholders.

Singapore Airlines and German bank WestLB each hold a 35.5 per cent stake in the firm while Singapore investment companies Temasek Holdings and the Government Investment Corp of Singapore each have a 14.5 per cent stake.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

TRAVEL + LEISURE WORLD'S BEST AWARDS READERS' SURVEY 2005

WORLD'S BEST INTERNATIONAL AIRLINE Singapore Airlines

Top 10 International Airlines 2005

1 (1) Singapore Airlines 88.43
2 (3) Emirates 81.06
3 (2) Cathay Pacific Airways78.64
4 (4) Thai Airways International77.83
5 (6) Malaysia Airlines 76.51
6 (5) Virgin Atlantic Airways74.23
7 (10) Qantas Airways 74.12
8 (7) Japan Airlines 73.20
9 (9) Air New Zealand 73.07
10 (n/a) SilkAir 72.55

http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/results.cfm?cat=othercairlinesforeign

15 December 2005

SIA to begin flights to Moscow from March 1 next year

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines will start flying to Moscow three times a week from March 1 next year.

The carrier's announcement comes after Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew revealed the plan during a visit to Moscow in October this year.

The flights will depart Singapore every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening, arriving at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport, via Dubai, the next morning.

The return flight will depart Moscow every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mid-morning and arrive in Singapore, via Dubai, early the following day.

SIA says the new service will enhance the already emerging business and leisure ties between Russia and Singapore.

The national carrier is aiming to tap into the growing market as more Russians head for exotic destinations.

Russia is a growing trading partner with the region.

Bilateral trade between Russia and Singapore has been increasing steadily for some years. - CNA/ms

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

oooh very good news :D

oooh very good news :D

U intend to go?? :?:)

15 December 2005

SIA overall load factor steady at 69% in November
By Loh Kim Chin, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines filled 69 percent of its total capacity last month - up 0.3 point from a year ago.

This is despite increasing the number of flights on its current routes to cities including Beijing, Taipei, Hanoi, Mumbai and Perth.

On the passenger front, SIA's load factor fell half a point to 74.9 percent.

Contributing to the fall were declines in services to Europe and the south-western Pacific sectors.

Still, SIA carried 2.4 percent more passengers in November from a year ago at 1.4 million - thanks to buoyant demand on the Singapore-USA route.

In the cargo space, SIA filled 66 percent of its capacity, up 1.4 points on year.

The Americas and Europe accounted for the better performance. - CNA/ms

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

uh not really but i always wanted to go to moscow

Dec 22, 2005
SIA Engg voted best-run large-cap in Singapore

EVERYONE knows that Singapore Airlines (SIA) consistently wins awards for the way it is run, but now one of its subsidiaries, SIA Engineering Company, has been named the best-managed large-cap firm in Singapore.

The mainboard-listed aircraft maintenance arm of SIA was awarded the accolade by Asiamoney in the Hong Kong-based financial magazine's annual poll of investors and analysts in the region.

SIA Engineering came out on top because of its ability to manage fuel hikes and keep costs down, Asiamoney editor Chris Cockerill told The Straits Times yesterday.

He added that the company is well-positioned to capture a larger slice of the aircraft maintenance market next year, having added extra capacity in the form of two new hangars this year.

Asiamoney's Best Managed Companies Awards also honoured Raffles Education and KS Energy Services, which took the top spots in the best medium-cap company and best small-cap company categories respectively.

Raffles Education was singled out for its consistent earnings growth, high dividend payouts and strong balance sheet management, said Mr Cockerill.

He also said that the home-grown company, which has seen its share price appreciate by 20 times since its 2001 stock market debut, posted a 136 per cent rise in net profit in the first quarter of its latest financial year.

As for KS Energy, analysts liked the offshore engineering company's depth of management and transparency.

They praised the company for its clear strategy, which they said helped it win contracts in North America and Qatar.

The awards, now in their 15th year, define large-cap firms as those over US$700 million (S$1.2 billion) and small-cap ones as those below US$300 million, with medium-cap companies falling in between.

FIONA CHAN

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

23 December 2005

SIA close to signing deal with Boeing for US$10b order: report
By Anjana Menon, Channel NewsAsia

Singapore Airlines is reported to be close to sealing a deal with Boeing for aircraft worth at least US$10 billion.

SIA is said to have picked the US planemaker over rival Airbus for the long range planes which will include Boeing's Dreamliner.

According to Dow Jones Newswires, SIA may order as many as 80 aircraft from Boeing.

Boeing officials were in Singapore earlier this year as part of global marketing campaign for the Dreamliner.

When contacted by Channel NewsAsia, Boeing officials said they were not aware of any contract being awarded.

SIA said it was in talks with both Boeing and Airbus and had yet to complete its evaluation process.

SIA is known for having the youngest fleet among commercial airlines.

It has 90 planes in its fleet - with an average age of under 6 years. - CNA/ch

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

http://sg.yimg.com/i/sg/providers/afp.gif

December 24 2005
Boeing hits high on Singapore Airlines report

Boeing shares hit an all-time high after a report that Singapore Airlines was leaning to the US aviation giant over European rival Airbus for a big order of long-range jets.

But one of Asia's biggest carriers could still be swayed by price cuts from Airbus, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The deal could involve firm orders for 66 to 80 Boeing jets, unidentified sources told the business newspaper.

Singapore Airlines is reportedly interested in a long-range version of the wide-body 777, the Jumbo 747 and the new 787 Dreamliner, giving the deal a list-price value ranging between 11 billion and 16 billion dollars.

Sources were quoted as saying that negotiations between the airline and Airbus have continued, however, and discounts could shift the deal.

"This is one of the last major Asian campaigns to be resolved and Airbus, whose A340 Singapore currently flies, will no doubt be slashing their prices to regain some market share after a triumphant year in the region for Boeing's wide-body offerings," Banc of America Securities analyst Nick Fothergill said.

Although Boeing's defence revenue eclipsed commercial plane sales during the airline industry downturn after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the commercial aircraft group is still a big driver of the firm's stock.

Boeing shares are up 38 percent so far this year and added 17 cents to close Friday at 71.49 dollars, after reaching a new intra-day high of 72.05 dollars during the session.

Boeing spokesman Bob Saling said the company was still waiting to see what Singapore Airlines will decide.

The deal would mark another win for Boeing in the Asia-Pacific region. Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific and Australia's Qantas both recently booked major orders for Boeing jets, after the company won a succession of big orders from China.

As of December 20, Boeing's net orders for 2005 stood at 870 planes, trumping Airbus, which in recent years has overtaken Boeing in numbers of planes delivered to customers.

While its young 90-plane fleet is mostly Boeing, Singapore Airlines will be the first to fly Airbus's new A380 superjumbo.

SIA has ordered 10 A380s with another 15 on option and will be the first airline to take delivery of the massive jet in November 2006. The company also operates five Airbus A340s.

Airbus is also counting on orders in Asia, announcing this month its biggest deal yet in China, for 150 mid-range planes worth nearly 10 billion dollars.

Copyright © 2005AFP. All rights reserved.

SIA close to signing deal with Boeing for US$10b order: report


This must be one of their biggest orders in a while! :eek:

What kinda model of plane are they ordering?

I remember they ordered 77 Boeing 777s and one time.

I guess it must be the 787 or the 777 LR planes......:yes:

I guess a mixture of 777 LR - but that might make their long-range Airbus A340 redundant

how big is a 787?

Can take 200-330 passenger....:yes:

http://www.boeing.com/commercial/787family/specs.html

Singapore Airlines plans $16bn Boeing deal

NEW YORK: Singapore Airlines was leaning to the US aviation giant Boeing over European rival Airbus for a big order of long-range jets.

But one of Asia's biggest carriers could still be swayed by price cuts from Airbus, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The deal could involve firm orders for 66 to 80 Boeing jets.

Singapore Airlines is reportedly interested in a long-range version of the wide-body 777, the Jumbo 747 and the new 787 Dreamliner, giving the deal a list-price value ranging between $11bn and $16bn.

Sources were quoted as saying that negotiations between the airline and Airbus have continued, however, and discounts could shift the deal.

"This is one of the last major Asian campaigns to be resolved and Airbus, whose A340 Singapore currently flies, will no doubt be slashing their prices to regain some market share after a triumphant year in the region for Boeing's wide-body offerings," Banc of America Securities analyst Nick Fothergill said.

Although Boeing's defence revenue eclipsed commercial plane sales during the airline industry downturn after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the commercial aircraft group is still a big driver of the firm's stock.

This is a huge order....in a while

nothing surprising from SIA's history but looks like they're gearing up to fight with the competition

^ Actually that also means that competition is no stranger to SIA right from the beginning.....:yes:

indeed...I think SIA has its eyes on Emirates, and likewise

Possible RC. Emirates is crazy so SIA will need to splash billions if it's goin to be a tom-and-jerry game.

Mind you SIA is bigger at the moment and it's the second most expensive airline by value from what I've read.

Business Times - 27 Dec 2005

SIA still weighing Boeing, Airbus offers

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines is still weighing proposals from both US-based Boeing and its European rival Airbus, and no decision on the purchase of new passenger jets is imminent, the carrier's spokesman said on Tuesday.

'We are still evaluating proposals from both manufacturers and we are not leaning one way or the other at this stage of the process,' Stephen Forshaw, the airline's vice-president of public affairs, told AFP. Neither has there been any decision on the number of aircraft, he said.

Boeing shares hit an all-time high on Friday after a report that Singapore Airlines was leaning to Boeing over Airbus for a big order of long-range jets.

But the airline, one of Asia's biggest carriers, could still be swayed by price cuts from Airbus, the Wall Street Journal reported. The deal could involve firm orders for 66 to 80 Boeing jets, unidentified sources told the business newspaper. -- AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dec 29, 2005
Security loophole in SIA's check-in system?

I WAS about to board Singapore Airlines flight SQ21 from Newark Liberty International Airport in the United States on Dec 22, to fly to Singapore. I got there early to ensure my check-in was fine.

I queued to check in my luggage and get my boarding pass. At about 8.30pm, I was served by a female employee at the first Executive Economy counter (there were four Raffles Class counters to her left).

I gave her my passport and a printout from the Internet with my flight details (reservation code and so on). As I had booked my tickets online last month, I was able to choose my seat ahead.

I was surprised when the woman at the counter told me my seat number was 47A when the printout clearly stated 42C. She said the flight was overbooked and the seats had been reassigned. I was not particular about seats, so I accepted the new one.

The woman processed my passport and detached my US immigration card, so I guessed this had to be a check-in plus immigration counter. She printed my boarding pass and told me the gate number and boarding time. As I left the counter, however, I was shocked to find that the name on my boarding pass was not mine.

Apparently, instead of using the reservation code on my printout to call up my details, the woman had used my last name. But she didn't realise that in some countries like Singapore, Chinese people print their family name first. The name on my passport was Ee Yik Khoon, so she mistakenly thought my family name was Khoon.

The story does not end here. It appears there was another passenger whose family name was Khoo, and he or she had been assigned seat 47A. My seat number did not change after all, it was still 42C. I had been given someone else's boarding pass.

In other words, the woman had checked in someone who was not at the counter yet, and my luggage tags had that person's name on them. I believe this was a breach of airline security.

I also want to highlight that the check-in counter at Newark Liberty also served as an immigration point. This is a serious error as not everyone checks his boarding pass. I would have been in a lot of trouble if I had gone through subsequent US security checks with that boarding pass.

Had the woman at the counter used the reservation code I gave her, or at least double checked the name on the boarding pass against my passport, this could have been avoided.

I believe there is a security loophole in SIA's check-in system which needs to be rectified.

Ee Yik Khoon

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved

29 December 2005

Stephen Lee to be new SIA chairman from January

Singapore Airlines will have a new chairman from January next year.

He is Mr Stephen Lee, the current president of the Singapore National Employers' Federation.

He takes over from Mr Koh Boon Hwee.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew announced this during his remarks at a dialogue with SIA's management and union on Thursday.

He said Mr Stephen Lee has shown that he has a special touch when dealing with the PSA union in the restructuring of the port's operations and in reducing costs.

He's confident that Mr Lee will improve communication and trust within SIA.

But the Minister Mentor said the Chairman has to be supported by equally positive attitudes from top and middle management and from union leaders and members.

During the dialogue, Mr Lee also stressed that the government strategy is not to protect SIA or SATS, but to protect Singapore's position as a hub.

He said as long as Singapore remains a hub, whichever airlines succeed or fail, Singaporeans will benefit and jobs will increase.

And the increase in jobs will be in companies that are competitive.

MM Lee pointed out that, naturally, Singapore wants its airlines and the engineering company to be competitive and succeed.

He stressed if SIA's management and unions work together, they will maximise their chances of success.

MM Lee noted that prior to Thursday's meeting, he had met separately with the various parties in management and unions and these sessions have assured him that things have improved.

He hopes to strengthen this trend.

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

29 December 2005

SIA must look at improving yield on revenue, working as cohesive team: incoming chairman Stephen Lee

The incoming chairman of Singapore Airlines, Stephen Lee, says the carrier must look at how to improve yield on the revenue side.

And part of the strategy will involve getting the union and the management to work together as a cohesive team.

This, Mr Lee says, can be a competitive advantage for SIA.

Mr Lee, the current president of the Singapore National Employers' Federation, will take over the SIA chairmanship from Mr Koh Boon Hwee on January 1 next year.

But Mr Lee is no stranger to the national carrier, having been a board member for the last one-and-a-half years.

During this period, he has had time to get up to speed with the issues and challenges facing the SIA.

Mr Lee said: "I have had an opportunity to look at the industrial relations. I am quite encouraged by the progress we have been able to make. We are on the right track and we have to continue to persist."

But the key challenge will be persisting in a highly competitive market where low cost carriers are fast biting at the bottom lines of the premium carriers.

And Mr Lee believes SIA will need to get its fundamentals right for the many changes in the next 10 years, both for Singapore's status as an aviation hub and SIA itself.

Mr Lee said: "I think we will be facing more rapidly changing conditions with more mega aircraft, long-range, LCCs (low-cost carriers) and the entire competition in the air hub.

"The airline industry will go through a fairly dramatic change in the next five to ten years and we hope to get our fundamentals right, be flexible.....if we get our basics right and our people issues right, that will put us in the right path."

Mr Lee was also praised by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew during a dialogue session with SIA's management and unions.

The Minister Mentor says he is confident that Mr Stephen Lee will improve communication and trust within SIA. - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 30 Dec 2005

SIA to add flights during Lunar New Year

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines is adding flights on some routes to address the traditional peak in demand during next month's Lunar New Year holiday season, the carrier said on Friday.

The airline said it will add five flights on the Singapore-Taipei route between Jan 21 and Feb 6, in addition to the 17 weekly flights already scheduled.

On the Singapore to Penang leg, 10 supplementary flights will be added between Jan 24 and Feb 7, the airline said. The route is currently served by 18 weekly flights.

If demand warrants, Singapore Airlines said it will add an extra flight from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on Jan 26 and 27. It currently operates 42 flights a week to the Malaysian capital. -- AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 30 Dec 2005

SIA could divest SATS, SIAEC as early as next year

Analysts say airline is likely to sell entire stakes to established players

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines could divest its listed subsidiaries Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) and SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) as early as next year.

While they could be hived off via open-market share sales or in-specie distribution of their stock to SIA shareholders, analysts reckon the most likely move is for SIA to sell its entire stakes in the two companies to an established industry player.

The divestment of the 85 per cent-held SIAEC and 83 per cent-held SATS was cited yesterday by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew as a necessary move if SIA is to stay lean, nimble and focused in an increasingly unpredictable and competitive environment.

At his fourth meeting with leaders of SIA's union and management at the Istana, Mr Lee stressed that the government's responsibility is not to protect SIA but to safeguard Singapore's hub status, the airport and its services.

'However, SIA must be given the resources to fight and retain its leading position, which it can if it remains nimble,' he said. 'To do this, management must have the flexibility to change practices, trim costs and remain profitable. Sooner, rather than later, SIA's engineering and catering subsidiaries will be hived off and become separate companies to meet competition from non-SIA business, because more companies will enter these two sectors. So SATS and SIAEC must compete for non-SIA business.'

SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng told BT yesterday, after the Istana meeting, that SIA's board will meet in the new year to discuss and decide on the divestments. 'As you know, all three companies are listed on the Singapore Exchange and are therefore subject to the requisite corporate governance procedure,' he said. 'A decision will be made some time during the middle of next year.'

The issue of hiving off the two units was first broached in April last year by Mr Lee when he met SIA's management and unions for the second time as the company was trying to restructure after emerging from the Sars-induced slowdown. At the time, Mr Lee said SIA must divest some of its businesses to remain core-focused and cost-competitive. A month later, in May 2004, SIA's board said it had no plans to hive off SATS, which at the time was widely speculated to be the first divestment candidate.

SATS and SIAEC each account for about 10 per cent of the parent's profit. More importantly, analysts say, the companies' revenue streams have traditionally been much less cyclical than that of SIA, which has helped smooth fluctuations in SIA's earnings. Also, SATS' and SIAEC's higher returns on assets than SIA's have boosted the airline's financial figures. For the financial year ended March 2005, SATS enjoyed an ROE (return on equity) of 15.1 per cent and SIAEC 19.6 per cent, compared with 11.6 per cent for the SIA group.

But Mr Chew said yesterday that this was also because SIA is more capital intensive. And he pointed out that SIA contributed the lion's share of both companies' top-line revenue.

'SIA accounts for 60 per cent of SATS' revenue and 80 per cent of SIAEC's turnover,' he said. 'In addition, you have to bear in mind that these are service companies, whereas SIA is a very asset-intensive airline company with its fair share of group costs.' Analysts reckon SIA could reap well over $3 billion in cash from a direct sale of the two units.

And why a direct sale, rather than a gradual paring of SIA's stake?

'It would be a more enticing proposition to a potential buyer, as it would free it from having to deal with and depend on SIA, and it could instead go out to capture a wider market,' said a director of a listed brokerage firm. 'At the same time, it would also unlock the real underlying value of SATS and SIAEC, while giving SIA the immediate cash resources for expansion.'

The break from their parent could also help the two companies garner businesses from clients who do not want to deal with SIA subsidiaries, industry insiders say. For example, Qantas has been foot-dragging about renewing contracts with SATS as a tit-for-tat after SIA shifted its ground services businesses in Australia away from a Qantas unit.

Still, union leaders at yesterday's meeting expressed reservations about a divestment, citing fear and concern among their rank and file about breaking away from the iconic airline. But Mr Lee said that in a globalised, competitive and unpredictable aviation business environment, such restructuring is inevitable if companies are to survive and thrive.

Industry insiders say likely buyers for SATS are global players like Swissport, which already has a presence at Changi Airport, while SIAEC could attract the attention of the fast-expanding Middle Eastern airlines or even rival ST Engineering.

In May, SIA unveiled record revenues and earnings but warned of the serious challenge posed by high fuel prices. Strong traffic, astute yield management and careful cost control helped it lift its bottom line by 64 per cent to $1.389 billion for the year ended March 31, 2005. Revenue rose 23 per cent to $12.013 billion.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

This is slightly different. London cab ad (pic by livingsaucer):

http://static.flickr.com/40/79349818_61ddda664e_o.jpg

Dec 31, 2005
MM LEE'S MEETING WITH SIA
Is SIA's premium image hurting business?
Cost-conscious travellers are posing a serious challenge to the airline, says MM

By Peh Shing Huei

WHEN Ms Joyce Poon went to Hong Kong earlier this year on a shopping trip, she did not even consider flying Singapore Airlines, assuming it would be expensive.

She flew on the budget carrier Valuair instead.

But once in Hong Kong, she was surprised to find that her friend's SIA package was actually cheaper than hers.

'To me, SIA is always No 1 in quality,' said the 30-year-old public relations director.

'But it is also No 1 in price. I wanted to save my money for shopping. If I had known that it was cheaper, I would definitely have gone for it.'

She belongs to an emerging class of cost-conscious travellers which Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew believes is posing a serious challenge to SIA.

For this group of travellers, money comes first, comfort second. The image and brand? Irrelevant.

Could SIA's brand as a premium airline be an obstacle in getting market share among such travellers, asked Mr Lee.

As he told the SIA management and unions at the Istana on Thursday: 'They want cheap fares. They are prepared to have short leg room. They'd settle for less than good meals.'

These travellers come from emerging markets like China and India and would typically associate the SIA brand with quality and high price.

'I'm not sure that SIA can remain the kind of brand it is,' he said.

He threw up two suggestions. The airline can fly different kinds of aircraft for different routes. Or it can reconfigure aircraft in such a way that it retains its position as a premium business airline, yet can compete in the market for mass budget travellers as well.

Alternatively, the fight for customers like Ms Poon can be left to the likes of other airlines affiliated with SIA - regional carrier SilkAir or low-cost carrier Tiger Airways, which is 49 per cent owned by SIA.

It is a real problem for the airline, he added. While some see it as being too expensive, going down-market might not be the solution either as this might confuse customers and harm its premium image.

He cited the example of car-maker Mercedes-Benz, which decided to 'go right down' the market and came up with small cars under its three-star symbol.

The end result, he said, was confused consumers and poorer ratings in the United States compared to BMW.

'I do know that there is a risk when you confuse your customer with your brand and dilute the brand image,' he said.

SIA said it is aware of the changing industry and alert to new trends.

Its spokesman Stephen Forshaw added that the airline has already been assigning different aircraft for different routes.

For example, on routes like Brisbane, Christchurch and Penang, first class seats have been scrapped due to lack of demand. Instead, the airline offers just Business and Economy classes on these routes.

Brand consultant Dominic Mason warned against diluting SIA's premium brand image.

He said: 'As a flag carrier brand, SIA's premium position has a positive 'halo' effect on the Singapore country brand itself and not just as an air hub.

'Downgrading this premium position would impact negatively on Singapore's reputation.'

shpeh@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved

Business Times - 31 Dec 2005

Wait-and-watch game begins over SIA's divestment plans

Likely competitors concerned over SIA's future ties with SATS, SIAEC

By GEORGE JOSEPH

(SINGAPORE) Analysts and ground-handling players are waiting to see how Singapore Airlines (SIA) will go about the planned divestment of its ground-services units to know how the competitiveness of the sector will play out.

SIA's relationship with the future divested companies is what potential competitors are concerned about.

A complete divestment of its stakes in listed units Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) and SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) may fetch an estimated $3 billion in cash for SIA, raising crucial capital in a very asset-intensive industry that faces many uncertainties.

But the question is: Will SIA go for a direct sale or gradually pare its stakes? If it retains stakes in these companies, the hived-off units will continue to have some clout against any new entrants to the business at Changi Airport, analysts say.

There will be no shortage of potential buyers, especially overseas interests, because of the strong brand equity of the SIA assets, the analysts add.

Apart from a monetary gain, divestment will lead to other long-term benefits associated with positive partisanship, focusing on core competencies, according to Shukor Yusof of Standard & Poor's Investment Services.

'Throughout its history, SIA has not wavered from its strategy of enhancing cost-efficiency,' he said yesterday. 'The airline business is highly capital-intensive, demanding heavy investments in aircraft and technology while maintaining a healthy bottom line. Divesting SATS and SIA Engineering are but one of the many ways the group can stay ahead of the competition.'

SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng told BT on Thursday that the airline's board will decide in mid-2006 on the divestment.

This follows a meeting Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew had with SIA management and union leaders, at which he revisited the issues of increasing competition in the airline industry and the need for Singapore to retain its air hub status.

He said that for SIA to fight and retain its leading position, it has to remain nimble, and that 'sooner, rather than later, SIA's engineering and catering subsidiaries will be hived off and become separate companies to meet competition from non-SIA business because more companies will enter these two sectors'.

The stock market reacted positively to the news yesterday, with SIA's stock rising 40 cents, or 3.3 per cent, to $12.40 - its highest level since March 15. The subsidiaries, too, drew favour, with SATS adding four cents to $2.38 and SIA Engineering rising 12 cents to $2.72.

'Singapore Airlines' potential restructuring underscores one of the key themes in the Singapore market which we expect to play out in 2006,' Citigroup Inc's head of Singapore research Lim Jit Soon said yesterday in a note to investors. Singapore Airlines 'is undervalued and trading near historical troughs', he said.

The ground-handling business at Changi Airport moved into a new era when the government opened up the sector to competition.

Leading global ground handler Swissport International was first to come on to the scene, competing with incumbents SATS and Changi International Airport Services (CIAS). The Swiss-based company won a 10-year licence to be Changi's third ground-handler and started operations in March this year with its first customer, Swiss International Air Lines. It has since won two more, Thai Airways and Indonesian private airline Adam Air.

The arrival of Swissport created the impact the authorities hoped for, with the incumbents scrambling to reduce charges, reportedly by up to 15 per cent, to keep customers.

Analysts say nothing can be worse than the duopoly situation that existed when SIA-linked companies controlled close to 90 per cent of the market.

'We need to see the relationship, as the divested company will have a lot of clout in Changi if SIA gives it its business,' said Swissport Singapore's senior vice-president Prush Nadaisan. 'Will SIA keep 51 per cent, 49 per cent or no stake at all? We have to work very hard to get airlines to move away from CIAS and SATS and come to us, as we are talking about two well-established companies.'

Mr Nadaisan should know - he is a 30-year SIA veteran and was CEO of SATS for three years before he left to join Swissport.

'It is still very early and we need to see how the landscape takes shape,' he said.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 05 Jan 2006

SIA must see the big picture

MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's remarks that Singapore Airlines may, sooner rather than later, have to divest Singapore Airport Terminal Services and SIA Engineering Company highlight the way that in a hyper-competitive world even national icons must face change. Going ahead with the proposed divestment is a tough decision that had been long resisted by SIA's unions and management. SATS and SIAEC each account for about 10 per cent of the parent's profit. Moreover, their growth rates are less cyclical, thus helping smooth fluctuations in SIA's earnings and boosting the airline's finances.

But in an increasingly unpredictable and competitive environment, the need to stay lean, nimble and focused is paramount. That is one key rationale for recommending divesting SIA's 85 per cent-held SIAEC and 83 per cent-held SATS.

Through all the ups and downs that the airline industry has endured, SIA has managed to remain profitable during the last four decades. But new competition is emerging, notably from China, India and the Middle East. And these new and hungry players don't have to reinvent the wheel: they can challenge SIA and other incumbents by adopting its key success factors and even luring its expert personnel. While the travel market is also growing, the question is how many travellers will be willing to pay premium fares to fly a premium airline like SIA when there are cheaper options available. This is one challenge confronting SIA: it must review its business model to stay ahead. Only then can it continue to feed the growth of the Singapore Changi-centred aviation hub.

But as Mr Lee pointed out, this hub - the fourth-largest in Asia - is now more critical to Singapore than SIA itself. Today, Changi Airport offers more than 4,000 weekly flights to 175 cities. Besides supporting Singapore's aerospace industry, the Changi hub has also made Singapore an attractive Asian logistics and supply chain centre. Today, it accounts for over 100,000 jobs and some 8 per cent of Singapore's GDP.

But advances in aviation technology and the liberalisation of air routes are posing serious challenges to the Changi hub. Super-long-range aircraft such as the Boeing 777-200LR and the Airbus 340-500 allow hubs like Singapore to be bypassed. Already, a flight from Europe to Australia can stop over in Dubai or Bangkok, instead of Singapore. As well, other cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai are also aggressively pursuing hub ambitions.

Thus, Singapore's aviation hub has to look beyond just SIA for renewal and growth, and herein lies another rationale for divesting SATS and SIAEC. As independent companies, they could garner business from clients who don't want to deal with SIA or its subsidiaries. Also, a possible sale of these units to foreign players - like big Middle East airlines - could prompt the buyers to set up their Asian bases in Singapore.

The bottomline: while one can argue about the financial merits of SIA's losing profitable subsidiaries, there are larger strategic concerns at stake. In the end, it's the big picture that counts.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

I guess a mixture of 777 LR - but that might make their long-range Airbus A340 redundant

how big is a 787?


B787 is smaller than Airbus A350.

A340-500 and B777-200LR are in different markets.

- A340-500 can fly both ways between Singapore and Los Angeles non-stop.

- Boeing 777-200LR can fly only one way from Singapore to Los Angeles non-stop and must make a technical stop (for refueling on its return to Singapore from Los Angeles due to high winds that slow them down and causing them to consume more fuels.

Until now both models fail to satisify Qantas - Qantas wants a long range jet that can fly non stop from London to Sydney. Emirates flies A340-500 non-stop from Dubai to Melbourne.

Business Times - 06 Jan 2006

Merger a better route for Garuda

By VEN SREENIVASAN

COULD Singapore Airlines end up owning up to 49 per cent of Garuda Indonesia? Some industry insiders certainly seem to think so, amid rumours that the Indonesian government, which owns the airline, is poised to approach either Temasek Holdings or SIA to take up a stake.

When contacted yesterday, Temasek offered its standard response that it would not comment on rumours and speculation. SIA said that it had not been approached.

Nevertheless, investment bankers and analysts both here and in Jakarta say that the Indonesian government is looking to sell a substantial stake in the national carrier. And Indonesia Transport Minister Hatta Radjasa yesterday told reporters that the government was more in favour of selling via an initial public offer.

Garuda has little choice but to find strategic investors to help pare debt. As Shukor Yusof, aviation analyst at ratings agency Standard & Poor's, points out, the company is struggling just to pay its annual principal and interest payments of some US$115 million.

Whatever the case, it appears that the Indonesian government is looking at selling up to a 49 per cent stake. But a sale will neither be straightforward nor easy.

The loss-making airline owes some US$850 million to various banks and other creditors, such as the European Credit Agency (ECA). So while the Indonesian government may be keen to sell down its stake, Garuda's lenders and creditors have to agree.

In 2001, Garuda signed a US$1.5 billion debt-restructuring deal with creditors such as Indonesia's Bank Mandiri to extend the repayment period to 16 years from 12. At present, it is estimated that 60 per cent of its outstanding debt is owed to the ECA.

As Garuda is not listed, it is difficult to assess its precise financial profile. But it is widely believed that the bulk of the debt owed to the ECA is by way of financed lease on its planes. So if the ECA so decides, it could, theoretically, lead to Garuda losing some of its 57 planes. And without planes, there is no airline.

Meanwhile, after losing 811.3 billion rupiah (S$137.1 million) in 2004, Garuda is staring at losses of about US$70 million for 2005.

The company fired its entire management board in March 2005 as it sought to restructure its debt, improve its financial position and return to profitability.

Garuda's earnings could continue to be weighed down by high jet fuel prices, competition from low-cost carriers and the constant threat from terrorism.

So even if Garuda does manage to snag a white knight, its problems will not disappear overnight. It remains weighed down by fundamental issues including those involving management, an ageing fleet, and fuel hedging mechanisms.

So, would SIA bite? Not likely.

SIA's name has been bandied about at various times by airlines from Kenya to Papua New Guinea that seek to boost their own perceived worth by suggesting some potential alliance with the world's most successful carrier.

For the moment, SIA has more immediate and important things to deal with. Indeed, the big event for SIA this year could be the divestment of its two biggest subsidiaries, Singapore Airport Terminal Services and SIA Engineering Co.

Meanwhile, instead of selling shares in Garuda, it might make more sense for Jakarta to consolidate its three state-owned airlines. A merger of Garuda, Merpati Nusantara and Pelita Air might counter the growing threat from low-cost carriers such as Lion Air and Adam Air.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

09 January 2006

ST Engineering open to buying stake in SIA Engineering
By Matthias Chan, Channel NewsAsia

ST Engineering (STE) says it would be interested in buying a stake in SIA Engineering if the opportunity arises.

The comment came from STE's CEO Tan Pheng Hock during a news conference on Monday to announce the company's full-year earnings.

He says SIA Engineering's businesses are complementary to STE's existing operations.

There has been much speculation over the future of SIA Engineering, after Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said recently that Singapore Airlines would need to hive off some of its businesses to remain competitive.

But STE says it is still early days yet.

STE says that valuing SIA Engineering will be purely academic until it is certain of a strategic fit.

Besides operational synergies, STE will also examine if both corporate cultures can click.

STE posted a 12% rise in earnings for the year just ended in December.

For the fourth quarter, STE reported a net profit of $102.4m, in line with expectations and up 3% on year.

This brought full-year 2005 net profit to $396m.

On its outlook, STE expects 2006 to be more profitable than 2005 although it will be slower in the first half.

But STE believes it can maintain dividend payout which is 100% of earnings. - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 10 Jan 2006

SIA urged to keep up vigilance

Airline had a good '05 but challenges remain: chairman

By VEN SREENIVASAN

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) had a successful year, adapting well to the changes in the airline industry. But the airline has to keep up its vigilance and remain nimble as it forges ahead, said its new chairman Stephen Lee.

In his New Year message published in the January issue of the company's newsletter, Outlook, Mr Lee said SIA should feel justifiably proud of its achievements during the past year.

'Operationally, 2005 was a good year for us,' he noted. 'We delivered a good profit of nearly $1.4 billion for the financial year 2004-05 and went on to achieve record revenues for the first half of FY2005-06. It is another matter that the high fuel prices proved a drag on our profits.'

But the chairman noted that, despite its achievements, SIA still faced challenges. 'We have adapted well so far to the changes in our industry in the region and the world. But we cannot let our guard down, because more challenges are already surfacing, including the uncertain fuel price and the threat of an avian flu pandemic. We must continue to anticipate change and innovate constantly and cost effectively to maintain our lead over the competition. We must constantly review our work processes to improve effectiveness and efficiency.'

Mr Lee also thanked outgoing chairman Koh Boon Hwee for his strong leadership of SIA during some of its toughest years, including 2003-04, when the global airline industry was hit by a combination of geopolitical uncertainties and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) outbreak.

'His four-and-a-half years as chairman coincided with what was perhaps the most difficult period for the airline industry, and it is a tribute to his stewardship that SIA has been able to emerge nimbler and stronger,' Mr Lee said.

In his New Year message, chief executive Chew Choon Seng said that although SIA had responded effectively to challenges, grown its market position and remained profitable, it had to continue weeding out wastage and sharpening its cost base.

'The challenges will not abate in the coming year,' he noted. 'We can expect our competitors to fight hard for inroads on our market share. Although oil prices have stopped rising, a downward trend has not been established. We cannot count on the problem of high fuel cost going away any time soon. We must push on in our combined efforts to weed out inefficiencies, wastage and duplication in all our activities, and sharpen costs.'

Despite a 62 per cent rise in its fuel bill, SIA managed to chalk up net profit of $577.8 million for the six months to end-September, and is expected to make more than $1.2 billion in profit for the full year.

But during his fourth meeting with the group's management and union leaders late last month, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said SIA would have to divest its listed subsidiaries Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats) and SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) if it was to stay lean, nimble and focused in an increasingly unpredictable and competitive environment.

Divestment of the 85 per cent-held SIAEC and 83 per cent-held Sats could happen later this year.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Jan 11, 2006
Giant A380 to don SIA colours at Asian air show
The world's biggest aircraft will fly in all six aerial displays from Feb 21 to 26

By David Boey

THE world's largest airliner, the Airbus A380, will be making its debut in Singapore Airlines (SIA) colours at next month's Asian Aerospace air show.

The Airbus A380 will be sporting SIA markings because the airline plans to be the first carrier to fly an A380 passenger service, said the plane's manufacturer Airbus Industrie last week.

SIA plans to introduce the plane - which is three-quarters the length of a football field and as tall as a seven-storey building - on regular long-haul flights later this year. SIA will configure the plane to carry more than 500 passengers.

The A380, now undergoing flight trials, first visited Singapore last November when it made a 14-hour stop at Changi Airport to test whether it could use aerobridges and runways specially modified to accommodate the massive aircraft.

A spokesman for Airbus Industrie, a European consortium based in the French city of Toulouse, also confirmed that the A380 is scheduled to fly throughout the air show's six aerial displays.

The A380 will perform low-level passes, turns and climbs in front of the crowd off Changi Beach. The show will be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre from Feb 21 to 26. The show site is on the easternmost fringe of Changi Airport, about 500m from Changi Village.

Show organiser Reed Exhibitions said flying displays will be held between 12.30pm and 2pm on Feb 21; and between 11.30am and 12.45pm from Feb 22 to 25. The final display on Feb 26 will be from 11.30am to 1pm.

The list of planes and helicopters that will perform is still being finalised, said Reed.

SIA announced in September 2000 that it had placed an order worth up to US$8.6 billion for 10 A380s, with options for a further 15. Airlines around the world have ordered 149 A380s so far, including 12 by Qantas, six each by Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways, and 43 by Emirates.

This year's air show will share the same site with the Asian Defence Technology show, Reed said. Jostling for attention with the flying machines will be land warfare weapons on display here for the first time.

These include the BAE Systems' Armoured Gun System, a 25-tonne tank whose light weight makes it easy to transport by air, and a wheeled battlefield robot called the Mule that can transport weapons or cargo.

The 2.5-tonne Mule vehicle is being developed by the United States defence giant Lockheed Martin and local weapons company Singapore Technologies Kinetics.

BAE Systems is bringing its Armoured Gun System here as it believes the tank can potentially replace the ageing light tanks used by Asia-Pacific armies.

Another highlight will be the US Department of Defence's Future Warrior concept. This will demonstrate the type of weapons and equipment being developed to arm US soldiers. Visitors will get the rare opportunity to handle cutting-edge armaments and sensors.

The first four days of the show will be open only to trade visitors, but the public will be able to tour the exhibition at the weekend with pre-booked tickets. Tickets will cost $21 for adults and $7 for children under 12.

dboey@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Feb 14, 2006
WARRANT WATCH
SIA rises on news of possible business trust

WARRANTS of Singapore Airlines (SIA) rose yesterday on hopes of group restructuring and lower oil prices.

Market talk was that the mainboard-listed company may form a business trust.

Under such a scheme, some assets of a business would be held in a managed trust owned by unit holders. The trust would then be listed on the Singapore Exchange.

Investors were also bullish that oil prices, which have fallen by US$5 since late-January on swollen United States inventories, have stabilised at around US$63 a barrel.

One warrant issued by BNP Paribas rose 25 per cent to 25 cents on a volume of 787,000 units yesterday, while another issued by Deutsche Bank was up 20.4 per cent at 32.5 cents, with 770,000 warrants traded.

CIMB-GK Research remains bullish on the counter despite the 15 per cent decline in the carrier's third-quarter net profit to $397 million from a year earlier.

The fall was due to high oil prices, but SIA's top-line growth is still strong, the research house said.

SIA posted record revenues of $3.56 billion for the quarter.

CIMB-GK retains its 'outperform' rating on the mother share, lifting the price target from $13.10 to $15.20.

GABRIEL CHEN

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

15 February 2006

SIA's passenger traffic up in January
By Loh Kim Chin, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines says it carried more passengers in January compared with the previous year.

Passenger traffic grew 7.6 percent to 7.4 billion passenger-kilometres.

As a result, the airline filled 79.3 percent of its available passenger seats last month, up 3.4 percentage points on year.

The strong traffic demand across most routes was due to festive holidays such as Chinese New Year.

All in, SIA carried 1.47 million passengers in January, up 8.3 percent compared to the previous year.

The airline also filled 60.8 percent of available cargo space, up 1.9 points from the year before.

SIA managed to fill 68.4 percent of its overall capacity in January, a gain of 2.3 percentage points from a year ago. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

20 February 2006

No decision yet between Boeing and Airbus long-range jets: SIA
By Loh Kim Chin, Channel NewsAsia

SIA is unlikely to make a decision soon on whether it will order long-range aircraft from Airbus or Boeing.

Chief Executive Chew Choon Seng told journalists on the sidelines of the Asian Aerospace exhibition that the airline is still in the early stages of evaluation.

He had said last September that SIA was choosing between Boeing's 787 and 747 models, and Airbus' A350.

These jets are capable of flying more than 250 passengers on medium-haul flights of less than 7 hours to countries like China and India.

Back in August last year, SIA had asked Boeing and Airbus to submit proposals for ultra-long range aircraft, to meet its fleet renewal needs and future expansion plans.

Mr Chew also said the carrier had made no decision on whether to divest its 83 percent stake in Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) and 85 percent owned SIA Engineering (SIAEC).

Last December, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said the divestment of SIAEC and SATS was a necessary move, if SIA wanted to stay lean, nimble and focused in an unpredictable and competitive environment. - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Australia govt rejects SIA bid to fly Sydney - LA!!!!!

CANBERRA (Reuters) - The Australian government has rejected a bid by Singapore Airlines (SIAL.SI: Quote, Profile, Research) for access to the lucrative Sydney-Los Angeles route for "some years," Transport Minister Warren Truss said on Tuesday.

The government has also rejected a push by Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) to lift its 49 percent foreign investment cap -- which restricts single foreign investors to 25 percent of the company and foreign airlines to a 35 percent, Truss said in a statement.

But the Australian government urged Qantas and Singapore Air to consider the advantages of a possible alliance between the two companies, Truss said.

Australia's largest airline Qantas Airways Ltd. (QAN.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) and U.S. carrier United Airlines, part of UAL Corp (UAUA.O: Quote, Profile, Research), are the only two airlines able to offer direct flights from Australia to the mainland United States.

Discount carrier Virgin Blue (VBA.AX: Quote, Profile, Research) also wants access to the route.


AWESOME!!!!

Business Times - 28 Feb 2006

SIA starts thrice-weekly flights to Abu Dhabi

SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines said on Tuesday that it will start flying three times a week to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to cater to growing traffic between the two states.

The flights will start on Wednesday.

Abu Dhabi will add to Singapore Airline's route network in the Middle East. It already flies to Dubai in the UAE, to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, to Kuwait, and to Cairo, Egypt. -- AP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Theyre starting flights to Moscow soon as well :yes:

finally... thai airways has been flying this route since last year right?

yes..Thai launched flight to moscow last November with a 3x weekly flight on their MD-11..

Aeroflot has been connecting Moscow & Singapore for a very long time though....but SIA is usually more cautious on its network I guess.

Aeroflot ceased operation to Singapore already but now Russia's private airline, Transaero took over the Moscow - Singapore route.

Business Times - 15 Mar 2006

SIA is Australia's biggest foreign carrier

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines (SIA) remains the biggest international carrier operating in Australia - even if it is unable to operate the trans-Pacific route from that country.

The latest Australian Bureau of Transport and Regional Economics (BTRE) statistics for December 2005 show that SIA accounted for 11.8 per cent of the country's air passenger market. SIA operates 89 weekly flights to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane from Singapore.

The next biggest foreign operator in Australia was Air New Zealand and its subsidiary Freedom Air, which together accounted for 10.7 per cent of passengers.

Australian airlines controlled 31 per cent of the international passenger marketshare, of which almost 30 per cent was accounted for by Qantas, Australian Airlines and Jetstar. Virgin Blue accounted for one per cent.

According to figures released by the BTRE on Monday, the country's international passenger traffic rose 7.7 per cent in 2005 to 20.9 million passengers, with December alone accounting for almost 10 per cent or 1.95 million travellers. But the December 2005 figure was lower than that a year earlier, when 2.58 million passengers flew into and out of Australia.

Sydney remained the country's leading airport in terms of international passengers, with 46.3 per cent of the December total. The statistics also showed that Singapore was among the top three of five international city connections from Australia. The top international city pairs in terms of traffic were Auckland-Sydney, Singapore-Sydney, Singapore-Perth, Singapore-Melbourne and Hong Kong-Sydney.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

April 5, 2006
SIA to decide on jet orders next month

THE offers are on the table and both aircraft-makers Boeing and Airbus, eager to clinch Singapore Airlines' (SIA's) multibillion-dollar order for up to 80 new aircraft, will find out next month which is the big winner - if there is a winner .

SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng said the board will decide when it meets early next month, stressing that if the price is not right, the airline will not commit to an order at that time.

Speaking to The Straits Times yesterday on the sidelines of the International Air Transport Association Ops Forum 2006 at Raffles City Convention Centre, he said: 'In the end, the decision could well be to defer the decision.'

Observers say SIA has time on its side as a final decision does not have to be made for another year at least. As a result, the carrier is prepared to hold out for the best possible deal.

The ball is in the manufacturers' court, Mr Chew stressed.

'It's really up to them to give management a good enough deal to take to the board.'

If the decision is not to make an order now, then SIA is prepared to lease aircraft in the interim to maintain its young fleet, he said, adding that these could include planes from the Boeing 777 family and the Airbus 330 model.

It sounds like a good plan, said Mr Richard Pinkham, Singapore-based analyst at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

He said: 'No airline has a firmer grip on its cost line than SIA, so it would make sense that the board might decide to defer its decision on an order until the prices were more to its liking and use leases to plug any capacity shortfall.'

Mr Pinkham added that with so many of the aircraft types being considered by SIA not yet in revenue service, it may also make sense for the airline to take a wait-and-see attitude to ensure that the aircraft deliver the promised range and fuel-consumption performance before committing to orders.

The competition for a new generation of planes has gone on for more than six months and SIA is expected to place an order for up to 80 planes at the end of the exercise.

KARAMJIT KAUR

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

I'm flying SIA on the route HKG-SIN-CPH in the end of may. I wonder if the PTV's got on-demand video on their B772ER:s (which is the plane they use between SIN and CPH) - and I wonder the same thing about their B744:s between HKG and SIN.

Anyone knows? :)

if i rmb correctly, all 747s n 340/5 n 777s and all flights between SIN n HKG have on-demand. im sure bout the sg-hkg route, but as for btwn CPH n SIN, u might have to call n check(?)

oh ya, n i'm betting on boeing for 787s (to replace long range, med capx 777/a340), n airbus for a380s to replace the ageing 744s (SIA probly wouldnt get 748/9s)

I'm pretty sure long haul flights would have the on-demand facility on PTVs.

Airbus should redesign A350: SIA chief

10 Apr 06

SIA expects to fly super-jumbo A380 by Christmas on Sydney route

(ZURICH) European aircraft maker Airbus may need to redesign its long-range widebody A350 jet to match sales of Boeing's new 787, Singapore Airlines chief Chew Choon Seng said.

Singapore Airlines has become the second key Airbus customer to say that the European company has not done enough to make its planned A350 plane competitive with Boeing Co's 787 Dreamliner.

Mr Chew also disclosed that SIA expects to fly the world's biggest commercial aircraft, the Airbus 380, by Christmas. SIA, which will be the first airline in the world to fly the A380 jumbo, expects the first delivery to be in November, as much as a month before Airbus has publicly said it plans to deliver the plane.

'Airbus has not committed to a date yet, but they've indicated they're confident they can deliver by November, and the first flight would be by Christmas,' he said, adding the first route will be Singapore to Sydney.

On the A350, Mr Chew said Airbus should have countered Boeing's proposed new fuel-efficient aircraft with an all-new aircraft of its own. 'They might as well go the whole way and design a whole new fuselage as well instead of using something old,' Mr Chew said in Zurich, where Star Alliance CEOs met for their annual summit and welcomed Swiss International Air Lines as the group's 17th member.

'It's not so much price, but it's a question of the economics, and what each manufacturer would stand by and guarantee in terms of delivery.'

If Airbus does redesign the A350, he said, that might put the aircraft price 'in a whole new ballpark, so it's a bit sticky.' The 787 has a catalogue price of between US$142 million and US$150 million, depending on the model.

SIA's Mr Chew also said that Airbus is at a disadvantage in selling its four-engine A340 widebody models against Boeing's two-engine 777s because the A340s consume more fuel. 'The A340 now is in a position where it's disadvantaged by high oil prices,' he said. 'Four engines take more fuel than two.'

On March 30, Emirates, the biggest Arab airline, disclosed that it has deferred by several years a US$4.2 billion order for 20 A340s to give Airbus more time to develop a better version of the jet.

'The A350 in operating economy is clearly behind the 787, so Airbus needs to do something,' said Vagn Soerensen, chief executive of Austrian Airlines, which plans to decide between the two models for an order next year.

'They need to compensate for that with new materials, but a lot could also be compensated for with price.' Greater use of composite materials, which are lighter than traditional aluminium, increases fuel-efficiency.

Airbus needed four attempts to design a competitor to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, which uses 50 per cent composite materials to make it lighter and more-fuel efficient. The A350 is based on Airbus's existing A330. The company added a new tail, is using more composites and 90 per cent new parts and adapted the jet to use the same new engines as used on the 787.

Orders for the A350, with a price tag of US$170 million to US$190 million, trail those for the cheaper B787 this year. International Lease Finance Corp CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said last month that Toulouse, France-based Airbus should spend US$8 billion to US$10 billion more to redesign the A350.

'This removes any possible doubt that Airbus needs a new plane,' said Richard Aboulafia, vice-president of the Teal Group, a Fairfax, Virginia-based consulting company. 'When the most prestigious airline in the world and the biggest leasing company in the world both send you the same message, you need to listen.'

Airbus has said it will cost 4.3 billion euros (S$8.4 billion) for its current version of the A350 based on the A330. Chicago-based Boeing as at March 30 had won 298 orders for its 787, while Airbus had won 100 firm orders and 92 commitments.

Mr Udvar-Hazy also urged Airbus to use an all-new fuselage, as well as a new wing to make the plane bigger and faster.

International Finance, a unit of American International Group Inc, is the world's largest aircraft lessor as measured by the value of its plane portfolio. It has orders for both the A350 and the 787.

Deutsche Lufthansa, the world's third-biggest airline by market value, is also considering both planes, CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber said.

Airbus parent European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Co (EADS) is now under 'serious financial pressure since it also needs to come up with cash to purchase BAE Systems' minority stake in Airbus. BAE said it will start negotiations to sell that stake to EADS.

i have a question.... did singapore airlines receive their A380 yet?

not yet. should be sometime after October this year i.e. last quarter...

^^ohhhh.. thanks... but would singapore airlines be the first operator of the A380?

^^ohhhh.. thanks... but would singapore airlines be the first operator of the A380?

Yes....:yes:

April 25, 2006
SilkAir may go for 15 new aircraft, including smaller jets
The smaller jets can serve destinations where bigger aircraft cannot land

By Karamjit Kaur
Aviation Correspondent

SINGAPORE Airlines' regional arm SilkAir is renewing its fleet and may 'downsize' to fulfil its expansion plans.

The airline is preparing to go on a buying spree - having last ordered new planes in 1997 - and will purchase up to 15 new aircraft, possibly including, for the first time, smaller 70- to 90-seater regional jets.

SilkAir operates a full Airbus fleet but if the price is right, it is also prepared to 'seriously consider' buying new Boeing planes, chief executive Mike Barclay told The Straits Times.

He said the smaller regional jets offer new opportunities to serve new destinations as they can land at airports unable to accommodate SilkAir's larger A320 (142-seat) and A319 (118-seat) aircraft.

It may also be more cost-effective to use smaller jets on routes with 'perennially low load factors', and which may be better served by more frequent services carrying fewer people on smaller aircraft.

But there are other factors to consider, said Mr Barclay, like the higher cost of maintaining two different aircraft types - so the pros and cons need to be weighed carefully.

'With a split fleet,' he said, 'there will be duplicate costs in engineering and catering, for example, because you would need different food and beverage trolleys, and other items like crockery and cutlery as well.'

For the same reason, if SilkAir decides on Boeing this time round, it would mean eventually phasing out the airline's 12 large Airbuses.

DBS Vickers transport analyst Paul Yong said it makes sense for SilkAir to consider smaller planes since its 'modus operandi has always been to develop niche and mainly leisure markets', some of which may be easier served by regional jets.

Mr Barclay expects to draw up his final shopping list for the new aircraft later this year, with delivery expected after 2009.

SilkAir serves 26 destinations and has seen good growth despite initial fears that the budget carriers which took to the skies in Singapore about two years ago would hurt its business.

In the three months to Dec 31 last year, the airline carried 360,032 passengers, the highest in any quarter, and up 18.8 per cent from the same period in 2004.

Competition has forced the carrier to focus on trimming costs and building its brand.

For example, all 12 aircraft in the fleet have been retrofitted with new seat covers and carpets.

karam@sph.com.sg
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved

Airbus should redesign A350: SIA chief

10 Apr 06

SIA expects to fly super-jumbo A380 by Christmas on Sydney route

(ZURICH) European aircraft maker Airbus may need to redesign its long-range widebody A350 jet to match sales of Boeing's new 787, Singapore Airlines chief Chew Choon Seng said.

Singapore Airlines has become the second key Airbus customer to say that the European company has not done enough to make its planned A350 plane competitive with Boeing Co's 787 Dreamliner.

Mr Chew also disclosed that SIA expects to fly the world's biggest commercial aircraft, the Airbus 380, by Christmas. SIA, which will be the first airline in the world to fly the A380 jumbo, expects the first delivery to be in November, as much as a month before Airbus has publicly said it plans to deliver the plane.

'Airbus has not committed to a date yet, but they've indicated they're confident they can deliver by November, and the first flight would be by Christmas,' he said, adding the first route will be Singapore to Sydney.

On the A350, Mr Chew said Airbus should have countered Boeing's proposed new fuel-efficient aircraft with an all-new aircraft of its own. 'They might as well go the whole way and design a whole new fuselage as well instead of using something old,' Mr Chew said in Zurich, where Star Alliance CEOs met for their annual summit and welcomed Swiss International Air Lines as the group's 17th member.

'It's not so much price, but it's a question of the economics, and what each manufacturer would stand by and guarantee in terms of delivery.'

If Airbus does redesign the A350, he said, that might put the aircraft price 'in a whole new ballpark, so it's a bit sticky.' The 787 has a catalogue price of between US$142 million and US$150 million, depending on the model.

SIA's Mr Chew also said that Airbus is at a disadvantage in selling its four-engine A340 widebody models against Boeing's two-engine 777s because the A340s consume more fuel. 'The A340 now is in a position where it's disadvantaged by high oil prices,' he said. 'Four engines take more fuel than two.'

On March 30, Emirates, the biggest Arab airline, disclosed that it has deferred by several years a US$4.2 billion order for 20 A340s to give Airbus more time to develop a better version of the jet.

'The A350 in operating economy is clearly behind the 787, so Airbus needs to do something,' said Vagn Soerensen, chief executive of Austrian Airlines, which plans to decide between the two models for an order next year.

'They need to compensate for that with new materials, but a lot could also be compensated for with price.' Greater use of composite materials, which are lighter than traditional aluminium, increases fuel-efficiency.

Airbus needed four attempts to design a competitor to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, which uses 50 per cent composite materials to make it lighter and more-fuel efficient. The A350 is based on Airbus's existing A330. The company added a new tail, is using more composites and 90 per cent new parts and adapted the jet to use the same new engines as used on the 787.

Orders for the A350, with a price tag of US$170 million to US$190 million, trail those for the cheaper B787 this year. International Lease Finance Corp CEO Steven Udvar-Hazy said last month that Toulouse, France-based Airbus should spend US$8 billion to US$10 billion more to redesign the A350.

'This removes any possible doubt that Airbus needs a new plane,' said Richard Aboulafia, vice-president of the Teal Group, a Fairfax, Virginia-based consulting company. 'When the most prestigious airline in the world and the biggest leasing company in the world both send you the same message, you need to listen.'

Airbus has said it will cost 4.3 billion euros (S$8.4 billion) for its current version of the A350 based on the A330. Chicago-based Boeing as at March 30 had won 298 orders for its 787, while Airbus had won 100 firm orders and 92 commitments.

Mr Udvar-Hazy also urged Airbus to use an all-new fuselage, as well as a new wing to make the plane bigger and faster.

International Finance, a unit of American International Group Inc, is the world's largest aircraft lessor as measured by the value of its plane portfolio. It has orders for both the A350 and the 787.

Deutsche Lufthansa, the world's third-biggest airline by market value, is also considering both planes, CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber said.

Airbus parent European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Co (EADS) is now under 'serious financial pressure since it also needs to come up with cash to purchase BAE Systems' minority stake in Airbus. BAE said it will start negotiations to sell that stake to EADS.

Excellent news. Payag ako na piliin ang Singapore Airlines ng 787 Dreamliner kaysa sa A350 ng Airbus.

This gives further assurance that Singapore Airlines would choose the 787 Dreamliner over the bleed-air A350 of Airbus.

Go 787!!! Sibakin ninyo ang A350!!! :jk:

Excellent news. Payag ako na piliin ang Singapore Airlines ng 787 Dreamliner kaysa sa A350 ng Airbus.

This gives further assurance that Singapore Airlines would choose the 787 Dreamliner over the bleed-air A350 of Airbus.

Go 787!!! Sibakin ninyo ang A350!!! :jk:

I do not condone this kind of action that creates rivalry.

It all really depends on the airlines whether the aircraft can meet their requirement and the operations.

For example, SIA and MAS on purchase of B777 and A330 respectively.

The reason why SIA buys Boeing 777 is because it is economically used on denser flights which requires high capacity and fuel saving. However these B777 are bulky picked because SIA could not find better replacement for Airbus A310s that serves many short range SQ flights including KL-SIN flights.

Airbus A330 and B777 are too big and heavy for normal A310 flights.

However MAS uses A330 which is very economically on their flights that dun require B777 which proves to be too big and expensive to operate on thin routes.

In fact, both B777 and A330 have served us very very well, serving different markets.

So my point is that both B787 and Airbus A350 serves different markets like A330 and B777.

B787 is designed to be medium type planes that many A310/A300 operators are looking for. However, the airlines are still not sure how B787 performs in reality.

Airbus creates A350 to be a competitor to B787. :)

SIA would have final say to get the latest additions to the fleet. But please refrain from shouting "Airbus A350 is the best or B787 is better etc".

I would like to throw challenge to u:

Why does SIA chief hint to Airbus when SIA should just BUY B787 on spot. SIA obviously wants to have medium type planes soon. My guess is that Boeing does not have better delivery dates or right prices for SIA...

This may drive SIA Chief to make remarks on Airbus A350 to get better offerings. :)

Singapore Airlines to fly to Milan and Barcelona from July

02 May 2006 1541 hrs (SST) 0741 hrs (GMT)

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines (SIA) will commence thrice weekly flights to two popular European destinations, Barcelona and Milan, starting July 19, the carrier said Tuesday.

Flights will depart the city-state every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening for Milan and then on to Barcelona, SIA said in a statement.

On the return leg, flights will depart Barcelona every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning for Milan and then Singapore.

SIA is among the world's most profitable carriers but high oil prices have affected its bottomline.

Latest financial figures available showed the carrier's net profit in the December quarter fell 14.6 percent to S$397 million (US$251 million) as expenses ballooned due to soaring jet fuel costs. - AFP/ch

Thats an interesting route...I wonder if theyre nonstop.

I do not condone this kind of action that creates rivalry.

It all really depends on the airlines whether the aircraft can meet their requirement and the operations.

For example, SIA and MAS on purchase of B777 and A330 respectively.

The reason why SIA buys Boeing 777 is because it is economically used on denser flights which requires high capacity and fuel saving. However these B777 are bulky picked because SIA could not find better replacement for Airbus A310s that serves many short range SQ flights including KL-SIN flights.

Airbus A330 and B777 are too big and heavy for normal A310 flights.

However MAS uses A330 which is very economically on their flights that dun require B777 which proves to be too big and expensive to operate on thin routes.

In fact, both B777 and A330 have served us very very well, serving different markets.

So my point is that both B787 and Airbus A350 serves different markets like A330 and B777.

B787 is designed to be medium type planes that many A310/A300 operators are looking for. However, the airlines are still not sure how B787 performs in reality.

Airbus creates A350 to be a competitor to B787. :)

SIA would have final say to get the latest additions to the fleet. But please refrain from shouting "Airbus A350 is the best or B787 is better etc".

I would like to throw challenge to u:

Why does SIA chief hint to Airbus when SIA should just BUY B787 on spot. SIA obviously wants to have medium type planes soon. My guess is that Boeing does not have better delivery dates or right prices for SIA...

This may drive SIA Chief to make remarks on Airbus A350 to get better offerings. :)

yup, boeing did not leave any delivery slots for SIA, meaning SIA cant get 787s for quite awhile (a yr i think), coz other airlines are already on the list for delivery. i dont think there was a comment on prices though, SIA just wants airbus to do a better job, so it can compare and decide fairly which aircraft suits the budget and timeframe it needs. (airbus could make SIA first in line for a350s if SIA makes an order)

Business Times - 01 Jun 2006

SIA's China venture gears up to tap surging freight traffic

Great Wall Airlines hopes to operate five planes by 2009

(BEIJING) Singapore Airlines Ltd, owner of the world's third-largest air cargo carrier, may operate five planes by 2009 at its China venture to tap freight traffic that is forecast to increase by 14 per cent every year.

Great Wall Airlines Co, 25 per cent owned by Singapore Airlines's cargo unit, said it will fly the first of six-weekly Shanghai-Amsterdam services today, using two of Boeing Co's 747-400 freighters leased from its Singapore-based shareholder. The venture may lease three more 747-400 planes by 2009.

'China's strong trade growth has been providing us with demand,' said Shanghai-based Great Wall's marketing manager Guan Lei. 'Demand growth for cargo transport has far outpaced the increase in capacity' by Chinese carriers, he said.

Singapore Airlines, Deutsche Lufthansa AG and other overseas carriers are forming ventures in China, as shipments of computer chips, mobile phones and electronic goods increase to the US and Europe. China's annual overseas cargo traffic will expand 14 per cent until 2009, making it the world's fastest-growing airfreight market, according to the International Air Transport Association.

Great Wall will be the first among China's freight ventures to begin operating. Lufthansa's cargo venture in China, called Jade Cargo International Co, will start flying in July, the carrier's chief executive officer Wolfgang Mayrhuber said on May 22.

Lufthansa Cargo, the world's second-largest airfreight carrier, owns 25 per cent of Jade Cargo while Shenzhen Airlines Co has a 51 per cent stake.

China Airlines, Taiwan's largest carrier, is investing 312.5 million yuan (S$61.4 million) for 25 per cent of Yangtze River Express Airlines Co, a Shanghai-based cargo carrier.

Singapore Airlines Cargo is also expanding services to China, where exports grew 26 per cent in the first four months of 2006. The company started flights on May 21 to the northeastern Chinese city of Tianjin en route to Anchorage and Los Angeles.

Great Wall has been approved by China's aviation regulator to fly to Singapore twice a week and to India's Chennai city via Bombay three times a week, Mr Guan said. It's also considering flights to Incheon airport outside Seoul, he said.

The company plans to lease three more 747-400 freighters by 2009, Mr Guan said, without saying whether Singapore Airlines Cargo will provide the planes.

China Great Wall Industry Corp, owned by the Chinese government, is the biggest shareholder of Great Wall Airlines, with a 51 per cent stake. Dahlia Investments Pte, a unit of the Singapore investment firm Temasek Holdings Pte, owns 24 per cent of Great Wall Airlines.

The venture may compete with carriers, including Shanghai-based China Eastern Airlines Corp in handling cargo.

The airline's China Cargo Airlines unit moves freight to Paris and Luxembourg, and also to Asian cities, including Seoul, according to China Eastern's website.

Air China Ltd, the country's biggest international carrier, is in talks to combine its cargo business with China Cargo Airlines, Air China's chief financial officer Fan Cheng said on May 22. - Bloomberg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 06 Jun 2006

SIA sells, leases back Boeing 777

SINGAPORE Airlines, the world's second-largest carrier by market value, said it sold a Boeing Co 777-300 aircraft which it would lease back. Financial terms of the contract weren't disclosed. The aircraft will be leased to SIA for about 7.5 years with an option to extend, the carrier said in a statement to the Singapore exchange yesterday. It didn't identify the buyer.

SIA and other Asian carriers have been seeking to trim costs to counter rising oil prices. The price of jet fuel, the biggest expense for Asian carriers, rose to a record US$90.05 a barrel on May 3. SIA has a fleet of 90 aircraft with an average age of five years and eight months, according to the company's website.

The carrier said last month profit dropped for a fifth consecutive quarter as higher surcharges failed to cover record fuel costs. Net income fell 7.1 per cent to S$266 million in the three months ended March from a restated S$286.7 million.

Shares of SIA gained 0.8 per cent this year, compared with the 4.1 per cent decline in the Bloomberg Asia Pacific Airlines Index. The stock closed 10 cents or 0.8 per cent lower at S$12.50 yesterday. - Bloomberg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Singapore Airlines to take delivery of Airbus A380 in November

06 June 2006 2310 hrs (SST) 1510 hrs (GMT)

Singapore Airlines looks set to take delivery of the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, in November.

Airbus says it is sticking to its commitment to deliver the first A380 to SIA, its first commercial customer.

The aircraft will undergo tests before it takes to the skies on the lucrative Kangaroo route between Sydney and London via Singapore.

The first plane is being painted and outfitted and this is expected to take at least two months.

SIA says it expects to take delivery of the A380 in November.

SIA has ordered 10 A380 jets and Airbus has till the end of 2008 to deliver the other 9 outstanding A380 aircraft to SIA. - CNA/ch

June 7, 2006
Work on SIA's superjumbos in full swing

By Aviation Correspondent, Karamjit Kaur

TOULOUSE, FRANCE - WORK is in full swing on the superjumbo Airbus 380 jets that Singapore Airlines will be the first to fly by year's end.

Of the 10 giant planes that SIA has ordered - with an option for 15 more - one is already in Hamburg, Germany, where the seats and other interior fittings are being installed. Another five are at the aircraft manufacturer's final assembly line in Toulouse, France.

Work has also started on building the parts for the last four aircraft, said Mr Richard Carcaillet, Airbus' director of product marketing for the 380, in Toulouse yesterday.

No firm date has been set but SIA is expecting the first plane to be delivered in November. It will be put into service on the 'kangaroo' route between Sydney and London. All 10 planes will be delivered by the end of 2008.

The A380, which can seat 555 people in a three-class configuration, is the biggest commercial aircraft ever built and needs to be certified by the relevant US and European bodies before it can begin commercial service.

Mr Carcaillet is confident there will be no hiccups and that all 'guarantees to airline customers will be met'.

Yesterday, more than 20 journalists from Singapore and around the Asia-Pacific region visited the Airbus facility in Toulouse and previewed the work being done on the final assembly line to put SIA's planes together.

Mr Derrick Loh, SIA's technical services engineer, who has been here for almost six weeks, said: 'We work closely with Airbus to inspect our aircraft at every stage of the development. So far there have been no major issues, just minor refinements here and there.'

Since December, SIA has maintained a three-man engineering team, rotated every six weeks, to oversee the work being done.

By the time the planes come to Toulouse, they are already 95 per cent completed. Another five days are needed to join the nose to the main body and attach the wings and tail.

A further three weeks will see the engine being fitted and the flight and electrical systems tested.

Much of the work done on the final assembly line, a 100,000-sq-m facility, is automated.

SIA will be starting pilot and other staff training soon, spokesman Stephen Forshaw told The Straits Times last week.

The cockpit of the A380 will closely resemble that of other Airbus aircraft.

Pilots will at first be trained in Toulouse using flight training software, but SIA will get its own simulator next year, Mr Forshaw said.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Cannot wait...

First A380 SIA plane is nearing completion of fitting and painting...
November seems long way..

Business Times - 09 Jun 2006

SIA's A380: a great - and new - way to fly

It will boast striking interior design, fittings and comfort levels

By GEORGE JOSEPH
IN TOULOUSE, FRANCE

THE Singapore Airlines A380, the first in the fleet of the largest aircraft that has ever flown the skies, will be stunning in its interior design, fittings and comfort levels, heralding a new experience in flying.

Airbus officials here confirmed SIA will get the world's first A380, which is now being fitted out in Hamburg, in November. It will get another six by the end of financial year 2006/07, and the remaining three of the 10 firm orders by 2008.

SIA has committed US$8.6 billion for 10 firm orders of these mega jets and options for 15 more.

SIA and Airbus officials are not letting in on the new amenities and improved products in the A380, which can seat up to 800 passengers, but SIA will go for a configuration that will carry no more than 480 to provide unprecedented comfort in flying.

The first aircraft is being fitted under a cloud of secrecy as the aviation world awaits the entry into commercial service of this new history-making aircraft which SIA will put on the Sydney-Singapore-London 'kangaroo' route from December.

'The A380 when it enters service with SIA will herald a new way of flying,' Airbus product marketing manager Thomas Burger told BT during a media visit to the A380 final assembly plant in Blagnac, near Toulouse. 'We have designed the cabin to be most spacious in the sky and are also offering the lowest cost per seat, which is a tremendous advantage for airlines which now for the first time uniquely can differentiate on both the product and the price.'

'We have given the airlines a cabin as a canvass in order for them to paint their vision of flying, on to it. We have given a cabin that is larger than anything else flying, which is brighter and with better flight entertainment capability than any other aircraft flying. All these factors combine to make the passenger experience on any airline flying the A380 truly unique,' he said.

SIA will not reveal details of its designs for the A380. But people who know hint at its stunning innovations, especially in the premium class cabins and a never-before-experienced comfort level in Economy class.

The design for the cabins came after a series of deliberations by product innovation groups comprising frequent flyers in all three classes, interior designers and SIA officials. Several such sessions were held over a year in London, New York and Singapore. Airbus officials say the A380 planes being customised for SIA and other airlines have incorporated the most innovations and variations based on airline and passenger input.

The SIA aircraft will have 'social areas', believed to be stand-up bars and lounges for passengers to relax and move around inflight, and more comfortable seating in Economy as a result of innovative use of technology and materials.

The First Class and Business class cabins are said to be 'extraordinary', according to people aware of the designs, which introduce features in terms of passenger amenities that are 'unprecedented'.

Airbus officials will only say that there is 'definitely nothing like the A380 seen flying in the sky before'.

The pressure is on for the top international airlines to find more inventive ways to stay ahead of the competition, and airlines are not letting by any chance to keep good service and amenities a major feature in their total travel experience. And the A380s coming on stream are providing airlines more avenues to give travellers a new way to fly.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

June 12, 2006
SIA to start self-service check-in in September

By Aviation Correspondent, Karamjit Kaur

COME September, Singapore Airlines (SIA) passengers will be able to check themselves in using self-service kiosks at Changi Airport.

They will be able to select seats and print their own boarding passes and luggage tags at up to 14 such kiosks in Terminal 2, from which SIA operates. They can then drop their bags off at stipulated counters for them to be loaded onto the aircraft.

Separate kiosks will be set up for business and economy class passengers.

SIA also hopes to make self check-in available to its customers at some of its major overseas airports from early next year, its spokesman Stephen Forshaw told The Straits Times. He did not name the airports.

He said: 'With self check-in kiosks, customers will have more options to check-in, and can choose to avoid queues at peak times at the existing check-in counters.'

At the moment, passengers can also check in online and via telephone and fax.

Changi's Terminal 1 passengers will not be left out.

Six of the airlines based there - United, British Airways, Qantas, Air France/KLM, Cathay Pacific and Northwest - are getting together to give their passengers eight common check-in kiosks in a trial run later this year.

The cost of the project, being spearheaded by the Airline Operators' Committee (AOC), which represents 53 of the carriers that fly here, will be shared by the six airlines, said Mr Joseph Chia, United's station manager for Singapore and chairman of the AOC.

He said: 'The plan is to have the trial for about six months before deciding on the final implementation plan and system features.'

With this move, Changi joins major American and European airports and some in Asia that let passengers check themselves in at kiosks shared by a number of airlines.

The airport is supporting the airlines' move by making the space for the kiosks rent-free for three years, said a spokesman.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents 261 airlines, is itself pushing for more carriers to use common self-service kiosks to cut costs, even as the industry grapples with sky-high fuel prices.

Asia-Pacific spokesman Albert Tjoeng estimated that a 40 per-cent penetration of self-service check-in kiosks would add up to US$1 billion (S$1.6 billion) in savings a year for airlines.

The savings come from cutting back on the staff needed to man check-in counters and the economies of scale airlines stand to reap by using shared facilities, he said.

More than 40 airlines and close to 30 airports in cities like London, Vancouver, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Geneva, already offer the service. Closer to home, Hong Kong, Sydney, Beijing and Auckland plan to introduce such kiosks.

Companies which design and supply such kiosks include market leader Sita, which has put up more than 2,500 of them in over 150 airports, and Arinc, which has more than 400 units in 12 airports, including Japan's Narita.

Mr Randy Pizzi, Arinc's vice-president and managing director for Asia-Pacific, said the kiosks, designed and built according to customer needs, can be equipped with biometric passport readers and even cellphone scanners.

SIA is still working with vendors on finalising its system and will announce the details in due course, said Mr Forshaw.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Boeing shares take off, thanks to SIA

Thursday • June 15, 2006

NEW YORK — Boeing, which had been struggling to compete against European aviation powerhouse Airbus in recent years, is engineering a steady climb as its rival encounters fresh turbulence.

Boeing shares took off in New York yesterday as Singapore Airlines (SIA) announced a big order of 20 of its B787 aircraft worth US$4.5 billion ($7.2 billion) and expressed disappointment over a fresh delay in the delivery of Airbus' A380 super jumbo jets.

Meanwhile, Airbus' parent firm, Eads, saw its shares plunge in Paris as Airbus told clients that deliveries of its A380, which can carry between 550 and 840 passengers, would again be delayed by six to seven months because of a production problem.

The deal between SIA and Boeing comes amid friction between one of the world's most profitable airlines and Airbus over the delivery schedule of the A380, the largest commercial airliner ever built. But an SIA spokesman said yesterday that "this order is not related to the delay in the delivery of the A380s and the two matters are to be viewed separately".

SIA's order of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, which can carry between 250 and 290 passengers and have a range of 15,900km to 16,300km, raises the Chicago company's chances of taking back the civil aviation crown from Airbus.

Airbus still leads Boeing in terms of deliveries with 179 compared to 160 for its American rival, according to the latest figures. But Boeing, which was overtaken by Airbus in 2002, has so far received 405 orders compared to 105 for its rival.

Meanwhile, in New York, United States stocks rebounded from seven-month lows after a report that inflation accelerated in May failed to dim prospects for profit growth.

The Dow average rose 110.78, or 1 per cent, to 10,816.92 — for the biggest jump since May 5 and since the slump in stocks began. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index gained 6.35, or 0.5 per cent, to 1,230.04, recovering from its lowest level since November. The Nasdaq added 13.53, or 0.7 per cent, to 2,086, narrowly avoiding its longest losing streak since 1984. — Agencies

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

June 17, 2006
SIA's latest plane order spurs investors

By Markets Correspondent, Goh Eng Yeow

AMID the turmoil that swept across Asian financial markets recently, even blue chips such as Singapore Airlines (SIA) were not spared the sell- down as traders dumped stocks across-the-board, regardless of their economic fundamentals.

But a change of heart on SIA was evident during the week, as the airline giant demonstrated its deep financial pockets by ordering 20 Boeing 787 aircraft for about US$4.5 billion (S$7.2 billion), with an option for another 20.

Although SIA's share price stayed between $12.20 and $12.40 from Monday to Wednesday, the positive re-rating investors gave the carrier yesterday was significant.

As global markets rose with Wall Street's sharp gains on Thursday, SIA soared as high as $13.20 before closing 40 cents higher than Thursday's close at $12.90 yesterday.

Giving kudos to SIA for the new orders, Merrill Lynch said on Wednesday that the new fuel-efficient aircraft offers the carrier a chance to 'lower fuel costs and reclaim profit margins', as fuel prices remain high.

'Boeing claims that the B787 offers a 20 per cent fuel saving against existing models. With fuel now accounting for 37 per cent of SIA's cost base, the aircraft offers a 7 per cent operating cost reduction from fuel savings alone.'

For investors, the chances of SIA disposing of its two units - SIA Engineering and Singapore Airport Terminal Services - seem unlikely.

'With fuel prices remaining high, the arguments in favour of retaining the two defensive units within the SIA group to protect earnings have become more compelling,' Merrill said.

engyeow@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

22 June 2006

Temasek, SIA join Chinese partner to launch air cargo company

Investment company Temasek Holdings and Singapore Airlines have joined hands with China Great Wall Industry Corporation to launch China's first joint-venture air cargo company.

The joint venture firm, Great Wall Airlines Company (GWA), is based in Shanghai's Pudong Airport and started inaugural flights on Thursday.

GWA has a registered capital of RMB1 billion - or nearly S$200 million - and a total investment of RMB1.2 billion.

Temasek holds a 24 percent stake in GWA, while SIA Cargo has 25 percent.

The remaining stake is held by the Chinese partner.

The carrier handles air freight for both domestic and international routes.

It also has related services, including chartered flights, logistics, transport and warehousing services.

China's civil aviation authority has approved three international freight routes for the carrier - from Shanghai to Amsterdam, Shanghai to Singapore and Shanghai to Mumbai or Chennai.

Looking ahead, GWA will focus on developing its markets in Europe, the US and countries around Asia.

GWA uses two Boeing 747-400F aircraft for its all cargo services.

By 2009, its fleet of Boeing 747-400F freighters is expected to increase to five. - CNA/ch

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

12 July 2006

SIA clinches top international airline award for 11th consecutive year

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines has done it again.

It has been voted the top international airline in the World's Best Awards survey by leading travel magazine Travel+Leisure for the 11th consecutive year.

This comes shortly after it won the "Best Intercontinental Airline" title in the annual Airline of the Year awards by German business magazine, Capital, for the sixth time.

SIA says these awards are recognitions of the airline's effort in adapting to its customers' ever-changing tastes and preferences. - CNA /ls

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

17 July 2006

SIA reports higher passenger, cargo traffic in June

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines carried more than 1.5 million passengers in June, up 7.5 percent from the same month a year earlier as it continued to add flights and new routes, the carrier said Monday.

SIA's passenger load factor, which measures how efficiently the airline uses its capacity, stood at 79.9 percent in June against 75.2 percent in June 2005, SIA said.

"Passenger load factors on all route regions continued to show improvements over the same month last year," the airline said in a statement.

The cargo load factor in June was 62.1 percent, up from 61.2 percent in June 2005, it said. - AFP/ch

SIA in talks with China Eastern over 'possible opportunities'

19 Jul 06

SHANGHAI/SINGAPORE - Singapore Airlines, the world's second-biggest airline by stock market value, said on Wednesday it was in talks with China Eastern Airlines regarding 'possible opportunities' but had not reached a decision yet.

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-07-19/chinaeastern.jpg

Sources at China Eastern said earlier on Wednesday that the Chinese carrier was looking to sell a strategic stake to Singapore Airlines, which industry players regard as one of the best-managed carriers.

Another China Eastern source familiar with the matter said talks between the two carriers had been under way for some months and that money raised from the share sale would go towards expanding China Eastern's fleet.

A spokeswoman for SIA said it had not made a decision on a possible investment.

'This is part of us talking to different carriers, part of general discussions that we have with other airlines about possible opportunities in China,' she said.

Neither of the China Eastern sources who spoke to Reuters would reveal the size of a possible deal, but company chairman Li Fenghua told state media in April that China Eastern aimed to sell at least a 20 per cent stake to a foreign investor, hopefully within the year.

According to Reuters data, a 20 per cent stake would be worth about US$260 million.

The investment, if it goes ahead, could give China Eastern access to Singapore Airlines' extensive global network. It could also enable the carrier to better compete with its domestic rival Air China. Cathay Pacific Airways agreed in June to double its stake in Air China to 20 per cent. -- REUTERS

Business Times - 21 Jul 2006

SIA spices up its in-flight menu

By NOOR AISHA

STARTING next month, Singapore Airlines (SIA) will introduce a brand-new Indian meal concept for its first-class passengers - the Shahi Thali.

Specially designed by internationally-acclaimed chef Sanjeev Kapoor, the Shahi Thali - which means 'Royal Banquet' - will be a feast in the sky comprising a starter, two types of chutneys (Indian relish), up to four entrees, rice, Indian bread and a signature desert. Topped off with lassi and masala tea, Shahi Thali will be available on all SIA flights between Singapore and New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

A newly appointed member of SIA's International Culinary Panel, Mr Kapoor is one of the most celebrated chefs in India. He is best known as the host of a hit TV cooking series Khana Khazana, which has over 150 million viewers in 60 countries. It is currently the longest-running TV programme in India - a total of 13 years since it first aired in 1993.

'We wanted something exotic, but it also had to be relevant - nice, lean and natural,' says Mr Kapoor. According to him, Shahi Thali meals have an 'Indian soul', yet contain a touch of modernity. 'We added more fruit into dessert, so that people can eat it - otherwise it becomes too sweet and heavy.' For example, one desert option available is Rabdi malpua, a sweet dessert comprising pancake served with stewed fruit.

Mr Kapoor, who gets cooking ideas by 'keeping his eyes and ears open', says that his cooking philosophy is to 'make Indian food accessible, allowing the novice cook to cook any meal, from a maharaja's (king in English) feast to your mom's cooking, with uncomplicated recipes and cooking processes'.

The fan of Singapore hawker cuisine says that he likes home-cooked food best, as 'it is not cooked blindly - we know who we are cooking for, and the food is cooked with love, care and passion'. As for who does the cooking at home, he laughs and says that his wife also cooks, and that she makes better chappati (Indian bread) than he does. 'I travel a lot, and if it was only me that did the cooking, my family would be really hungry,' quips the 42-year-old father of two daughters.

Mr Kapoor has been cooking professionally since the age of 25, and chose to become a chef as he wanted to do something 'completely different and creative'. In his free time, he enjoys listening to music - everything from Hindi songs to rock.

Going forward, Mr Kapoor hopes to continue as long as he can with Khana Khazana, and also hopes to come up with 'more books, more restaurants and more foodstuffs'.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Singapore Airlines said it had signed a letter of intent to buy 20 Airbus A350 XWB-900s and nine additional Airbus A380-800 superjumbos in a deal worth $7.5 billion at list prices.

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2006-07-21T162253Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-260514-1.xml&archived=False

SIA to buy 20 Airbus A350s, nine A380s

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines has signed a letter of intent to buy 29 new passenger jets - 20 A350s and nine A380s - from European aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the company said Friday.

The firm order is worth US$7.5 billion and includes an option for another 20 A350s and six more of the double-decker A380s, SIA said.

Deliveries of the A350 XWB-900s, dubbed extra wide-body, are scheduled to begin in 2012 and run through to 2014 while the nine additional A380s will begin arriving in late 2008 and run until 2010, SIA said.

The announcement of the deal came one month after the profitable carrier reached a deal with Airbus' US rival Boeing for 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft worth US$4.5 billion.

SIA plans to be the first airline to fly the A380, the biggest commercial airliner ever, when it takes delivery of the first of 10 super-jumbos on order by the end of the year.

Technical problems on the A380 had earlier prompted the carrier to express its disappointment over delays in deliveries which have been progressively pushed back.

"This latest order, together with Singapore Airlines' order in June for 20 Boeing 787s, will position the airline well for future growth and uphold our policy of continuous fleet renewal and modernisation," SIA chief executive officer Chew Choon Seng said.

The A350 has just been reconfigured after clients complained Airbus had failed to match up to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner which has won hundreds of orders. - AFP/ch

More A380s?! :eek:

How big is the A350?

More A380s?! :eek:

How big is the A350?

More A380s - obviously to replace Boeing 747-400s.

Emirates has orders of 45 Airbus A380 already.

A350 - 12 inches wider than A330.

July 22, 2006
SIA flying school gets new simulator

THE Singapore Flying College and Singapore Airlines yesterday unveiled a $25 million investment in pilot training in Queensland - a second Lear 45 Full Flight Simulator.

The new simulator is set to boost the college's numbers by an additional 120 cadets every year, Singapore Airlines said in a statement yesterday.

The simulator was officially launched by Mr Ian MacFarlane, Australian Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources, who took a flight in it during the official proceedings at the college.

The Lear 45 Full Flight Simulator provides the college with a replicated commercial jet environment with an approximate degree of accuracy of 99 per cent, the statement said.

The first of the two simulators was installed in early 2002 and has been functioning at capacity for over 12 months, it added.

Noting that 'training facilities such as this are crucial to the future of commercial aviation', Mr Paul Tan, SIA's regional vice-president, and director of the college, said: 'Singapore Airlines recognises that these cadet pilots are the future of our industry...

'It is imperative that training facilities such as this exist to ensure our standards are maintained.'

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 27 Jul 2006

AirNZ pullout from S'pore a boon for SIA

Local carrier effectively gains some $50m of business

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) Air New Zealand's loss could be Singapore Airlines's gain. And quite a significant one at that.

The Kiwi carrier's surprise decision to pull out of Singapore could hand SIA some $40-60 million in passenger and cargo business, industry insiders say.

They point out that with SIA the sole direct carrier between Singapore and New Zealand, it will be the preferred choice for cargo and passengers from October onwards - when AirNZ ceases operations here.

AirNZ announced last week that it will pull out of Singapore and suspend its daily operations to Changi - ending a 40-year history. The airline is closing its regional head office at Ocean Building and laying-off all 22 staff in Singapore. The decision resulted from an internal review, which found the 'low-quality' inter-line revenue from a Singapore turnaround could not match the kind of yield AirNZ would get if it operated a New Zealand-Singapore-Europe route.

It found that 95 per cent of passengers travelling between Singapore and New Zealand were either from, or headed to, Europe. As a result, AirNZ's share of the Auckland-Singapore market was less than 30 per cent.

SIA operates 24 direct flights to Auckland and 14 direct flights to Christchurch every week. And with AirNZ out of the picture, SIA has a virtual stranglehold on traffic between Singapore and New Zealand's two biggest cities.

'Air New Zealand has virtually handed them another $50 million of business on a silver platter,' said a player who serves AirNZ, SIA and other carriers. 'SIA was previously the dominant player on this route. Now, it is a monopoly operator.'

In contrast to AirNZ's experience, SIA's New Zealand-Singapore route has proved to be profitable because it provides direct multiple daily connections to various European capitals.

All this has sparked speculation that SIA could raise fares on the Singapore-NZ sector. At $1,200 for a round-trip ticket to Auckland from Singapore, SIA's charges are already higher than those of AirNZ, which sells tickets for $920 on the same sector.

SIA itself has not said much to allay fears of a price hike, with a spokesman quoted as saying that the airline would 'respond to market forces'.

And market forces are clearly in SIA's favour at the moment.

But SIA may not be alone on the route for long. Emirates is already exploring the possibility of starting direct flights from Singapore to Auckland. BT understands that several senior executives from its Dubai headquarters were in Singapore recently to hold talks on the matter with officials here.

Emirates now operates daily flights between Singapore and Auckland via Brisbane.

Singapore is an important node in Dubai's Asian operations, and the airline's ground services arm bought Changi's second biggest ground services operator, Changi International Airport Services, over a year ago.

So it looks like two of Asia's biggest airlines see themselves making money where AirNZ sees things very differently.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

SIA Q1 profit jumps 145% to $575m despite fuel hikes

2 Aug 06

(SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines yesterday posted a 145.1 per cent rise in net profit to $575 million for the three months to the end of June.

http://business-times.asiaone.com/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-08-02/BT_4535252_02_08_2006.jpg

The results, which defied high fuel prices, came on the back of a 12.4 per cent rise in group revenue to a record $3.42 billion for the quarter and a one-off gain of $223 million on the sale of SIA's Robinson Road building.

Underlying performance was also strong, with earnings from airline operations rising 58.8 per cent to $190 million. But earnings from Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats) fell 9.5 per cent to $48 million, and earnings from SIA Engineering Company (SIAEC) were flat at $33 million. SIA Cargo recorded a loss of $5 million.

Despite a 37.1 per cent or $331 million year-on-year rise in fuel costs to $1.22 billion, the group managed to increase its operating profit by a respectable 8.2 per cent to $274 million during the April-June quarter.

Nevertheless, with the average price of jet fuel rising from US$72 per barrel last year to US$87 per barrel in the first quarter, fuel accounted for 38.9 per cent of total group expenditure, a rise of 6.9 percentage points from last year.

The strong results were largely attributed to robust passenger numbers.

The airline carried a record 4.4 million passengers, an increase of 9.4 per cent, during the three months. Its revenue passenger kilometre rose 9.4 per cent, against a capacity increase (available seats) increase of 3.3 per cent, translating into a 4.3 percentage point improvement in load factor to 75.6 per cent.

Its breakeven passenger load factor rose 2.8 per cent to 70.8 per cent.

The average load factor on the cargo side rose by a marginal 0.6 percentage points to 61.9 per cent. This was below its breakeven cargo load factor of 64.2 per cent, resulting in SIA Cargo posting a loss.

The company expects passenger load factors on all its routes to keep improving. 'The outlook for air travel remains broadly positive for the rest of the financial year, supported by favourable economic conditions, particularly in the Asia Pacific region and Europe,' it said in a statement.

But SIA warned that fuel remained a main challenge, with prices expected to remain stubbornly high and volatile.

Analysts expect the airline to also continue broadening its revenue base with investments in new and growing markets like China. SIA Cargo's China-based joint venture Great Wall Airlines took to the skies last month. And in recent weeks, there have been numerous reports suggesting that SIA could take a stake in state-owned China Eastern airlines.

SIA is also expected to dispose of selected assets to help pay for its US$12 billion fleet upgrading. While company officials have put the issue of selling Sats and SIAEC on the back burner for now, SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng has confirmed the airline is looking to sell its shareholding in Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise, in which it has a 35.5 per cent stake, which some analysts estimate it could sell for some US$500 million.

By VEN SREENIVASAN

Business Times - 16 Aug 2006

New routes boost SIA's passenger load in July

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) filled more seats in July as passenger numbers remained strong.

The passenger load factor was 81.2 per cent - the highest in recent memory - as SIA enjoyed 5.5 per cent year-on-year growth in system-wide passenger carriage.

This growth in RPK (revenue passenger kilometres) outpaced a 2.3 per cent increase in capacity (measured in available seat kilometres).

The number of passengers carried by the airline in July rose 4.9 per cent from a year earlier to a record 1.5 million-plus.

SIA credited the strong numbers to its widening route network. Extra flights were added on existing routes to Bangalore, Taipei, Penang, Adelaide, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, it said. In addition, new services were introduced - to Hyderabad, Karachi, Lahore and Moscow, and from July 19 to Milan and Barcelona.

The strong growth did not carry over to the cargo segment.

SIA's cargo load factor was 62.1 per cent last month - versus 63 per cent a year earlier - as overall cargo capacity remained relatively unchanged while cargo traffic (measured in freight tonnes per kilometre) decreased 1.2 per cent.

SIA attributed this to soft demand in East Asia and out of the Americas and Europe.

The overall load factor in July was 68.9 per cent, just shy of 69.1 per cent a year earlier.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Singapore Airlines suspends cargo venture in China
Posted: 19 August 2006

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airlines has suspended the operations of its cargo venture in China after the United States imposed sanctions on the airline's Chinese partner for allegedly supplying missile components to Iran.

Great Wall Airlines (GWL) stopped operations after the US Treasury Department imposed the sanctions on the venture's shareholder, China Great Wall Industry Corporation, Singapore Airlines said in a statement issued late Friday.

"The suspension of operations follows a decision by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Treasury Department to impose sanctions on the parent company, and its subsidiaries," the statement said.

"GWL is in discussion with agencies of the US Government with a view to bridging the impasse created by these sanctions, which have nothing to do with the operations of GWL," it added.

It said Shanghai-based GWL relies on technical support from American companies for the safe and efficient operation of its aircraft. Arrangements are being made to transfer booked cargo to other carriers, the statement said.

China Great Wall Industry Corporation owns 51 percent of GWL, which was launched two months ago, while Singapore Airlines owns 25 percent.

The remaining 24 percent is held by Singapore investment firm Temasek Holdings through Dahlia Investments.

The US Treasury Department in June accused a US firm and four Chinese companies, including China Great Wall Industry Corporation, of supplying Iran with missile-related components and called for a freeze of any of their assets
under US jurisdiction.

The department had alleged that the firms "have provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of" Iranian missile programs that are capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction.

The Chinese government has rejected the US allegations and reiterated its opposition to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems. - AFP /ct

Aug 21, 2006
SQ plane forced to turn back in Newark after engine trouble

By Ben Nadarajan

BARELY half an hour into take-off, a Singapore Airlines (SIA) plane leaving Newark Airport in the United States had to turn back when one of its engines developed technical problems yesterday afternoon (Singapore time).

Even with a malfunctioning engine spouting black fumes, the A-345 Airbus had to circle the skies for 75 minutes on its three good engines before it was given permission to land.

It had to do so to burn off fuel because airports do not allow planes with full tanks to land.

Passengers seated near the wings on the 18-hour-long SQ21 flight saw 'bright orange sparks' from one of the engines on the left side of the plane for about 20 seconds.

Thick, black smoke was billowing from the engine and the flight was very bumpy, a male passenger told The Straits Times.

Several passengers started shouting to the cabin crew: 'Tell the captain to turn it (the engine) off. Turn it off!'

Others yelled: 'Fire! Fire!'

After the pilot switched the faulty engine off, the plane stabilised and the captain announced they would be turning back to Newark, near New York, and would make a 'technical landing'.

But the Airbus had to hover for over an hour until it had used up enough fuel to be allowed to land.

A female passenger, who wanted to be known only as Rachel, said that, by then, the flames from the engine had gone out and the passengers were calm.

The 28-year-old teacher said: 'Before that, everyone was worried. Some were praying, others were snapping photos... but the crew were very professional and kept reassuring us that they had things under control.'

A spokesman for the airline said all 149 passengers and 19 cabin crew members were unharmed and had stayed the night at the Marriott and Hilton hotels located within the airport about 25km from Manhattan.

It is not clear how many Singaporeans were on the flight.

The crew and passengers were supposed to re-board the same plane late last night (Singapore time), after a delay of over 12 hours.

The SIA spokesman said last night that the wide-bodied plane was being repaired by ground technicians and the crew and passengers would be allowed on board again only after the aircraft had been passed fit to fly.

The airline will investigate the cause of the engine problem, the spokesman added.

benjamin@sph.com.sg

KEEPING CALM

'Everyone was worried. Some were praying, others were snapping photos... but the crew were very professional and kept reassuring us that they had things under control.'
A female passenger, who only wanted to be known as Rachel

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Sep 8, 2006
SIA steps up hiring with coming roll-out of new planes
Intake of cadet pilots and cabin crew up as airline gets ready for bigger fleet, including superjumbo Airbuses

By Aviation Correspondent, Karamjit Kaur

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) has stepped up recruitment of air crew to prepare for the arrival of new planes.

SIA's first delivery of the Airbus 380 superjumbo is expected by the end of this year, assuming Airbus can solve nagging production problems with the plane, with another three of the double-deckers scheduled for delivery in the first half of next year.

SIA's first mid-size Boeing 777-300ER is also coming in November and eight more will arrive by the end of next March.

By the end of 2008, the airline's total fleet is expected to increase from 88 aircraft now to almost 100.

To cater to the growth, SIA started increasing its cadet pilot intake as far back as 2004, since it takes more than two years to train and certify a pilot, spokesman Stephen Forshaw told The Straits Times.

In April 2004, SIA also completed expansion works at its pilot training facility in Perth, Western Australia.

Annual intake is now about 160, compared with about 80 before the expansion.

SIA now has about 1,800 pilots, with another 300 in various stages of training.

Pilots taking the helm in the two new aircraft will start their training later this year. Typically, it takes just over a month for a pilot to be certified for a new aircraft type.

Pilots on the A380, for example, will be trained both in Singapore and at the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France.

With more planes and more passengers, the airline has also stepped up recruitment of cabin crew since the beginning of this year, said Mr Forshaw.

In the last seven months, it has carried out four recruitment exercises locally, to boost its contingent of about 6,500 air stewards and stewardesses.

The airline is looking to take in more than 1,000 new cabin crew members this year, the largest intake in the last few years.

This is partly because bigger planes like the A380 will need more cabin crew, though for 'competitive reasons', Mr Forshaw said he could not reveal exact numbers.

Details of the services and facilities that passengers can expect when the A380 and B777-300ER start commercial service are a closely guarded secret.

Pilots and cabin crew are not the only ones getting ready for the new planes.

Across the group, engineers, technicians and ground-handling staff will also need to be familiar with the new products.

Like the pilots, the first batch of engineers will also be trained in Toulouse.

Every year, SIA spends about $120 million on training, accounting for around 13 per cent of staff costs.

karam@sph.com.sg
Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Singapore Airlines inks deal for Boeing 787 order

2 Oct 06

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) said it has signed a purchase agreement to buy 20 Boeing 787-789 jets, with options for another 20 of the planes.

The agreement confirms plans announced in June, when the carrier said it had signed a letter of intent with US manufacturer Boeing, the company said in a statement.

SIA said the purchase agreement was signed last week and the planes, the latest variant of the 787 series known as the Dreamliner, should be delivered between early 2011 and mid-2013.

Based on Boeing's catalogue prices, the 20 firm orders are worth US$4.52 billion (S$7.18 billion). SIA plans to deploy the 787s on routes to North Asia, the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East.

Boeing bills the planes as offering unmatched fuel efficiency. They can carry between 250 and 290 passengers and have a range of 8,600 to 8,800 nautical miles (15,900 to 16,300 kilometres).

SIA is one of the world's most profitable airlines. In the first quarter to June, the airline recorded a net profit of S$575.1 million, more than double that of the same period last year. -- AFP

Singapore Airlines adds a touch of haute couture

12 Oct 06

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is adding a touch of haute couture.

The carrier said Thursday it will feature amenities designed by French fashion house Givenchy on its new Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A380 aircraft.

The nearly 200 designer items include larger cushions and down-filled pillows, SIA said in a statement.

"First class customers will be able to lounge in style in the new Givenchy sleeper suit and plush suede slippers. For business and economy class customers, the fashion house has also created new eyeshades and sockettes to ensure that customers enjoy quality rest on board," it said.

First and business class passengers will be served their meals on Givenchy-designed tableware and linen, it added.

SIA's new 777-300ER jets are to begin arriving next month.

The carrier was originally supposed to receive the first of an original order of 10 double-decker A380s early this year but delays have progressively pushed back the plane's arrival.

Airbus this month announced another delay in the program and said Singapore's first A380 will now be delivered in October of next year.

SIA will be the first carrier to fly the super jumbo A380.

Oct 14, 2006
SIA , SilkAir cut fuel surcharge

By Arti Mulchand

SINGAPORE Airlines has said it is cutting its fuel surcharge by between US$2 (S$3.20) and US$8 for tickets bought from today, following a sustained drop in jet fuel prices in recent weeks.

It has reduced surcharges for flights between Singapore and other Asean countries from US$20 to US$18 per sector.

The surcharge for flights between Singapore and the United States or Canada falls by US$8 to US$82, and for all other flights, it comes down from US$60 to US$54.

In a separate statement, SilkAir also said it is revising its fuel surcharge for tickets issued from today. This goes down from US$60 to US$54 per sector for flights between Singapore and India, and Singapore and China.

The surcharge has been cut by US$2, to US$18 per sector, for all other flights.

This is the first time SIA has reduced fuel surcharges since it introduced them in June 2004. Since then, it has increased surcharges seven times.

The move comes at a time when other airlines around the world have announced similar cuts, given that the price of jet fuel is hovering at six-month lows of an estimated US$75 a barrel.

Czech Airlines and Lufthansa have also cut fuel surcharges, and on Thursday, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines cut its fuel surcharge for the second time in just over two weeks.

Just last week, in response to an ST Forum letter asking why fuel surcharges had not gone down despite falling oil prices, SIA's vice-president of public affairs Stephen Forshaw said if the fall in price was sustained, SIA would reduce the surcharges.

He also said the surcharges cover only about half the additional cost to the airline due to the increased cost of jet fuel since they were first applied in 2004.

But the price of jet fuel is still substantially higher than when the decision to impose the surcharge was made, and collections have 'only ever given partial relief' from cost increases, SIA's statement said.

Between April and June, jet fuel constituted 38.9 per cent of the SIA Group's expenditure, costing it $1.22 billion.

The airline added that it will continue to monitor jet fuel prices and review the surcharges.

In other travel-trade news, trade magazine TTG Asia honoured SIA as a member of the TTG Hall of Fame for the fifth consecutive year at the TTG 17th Annual Travel Awards 2006, which was held in Pattaya, Thailand, on Thursday.

Cruise provider Star Cruises took the award for Best Cruise Operator in the Asia Pacific for the ninth time.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

SIA launches next generation cabin products, pegged to premium travel

17 Oct 06

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) has launched its latest range of next generation cabin products pegged to premium air travel and product and service excellence.
It boasts of the latest seat designs and a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system, among other step-ups.

'This is by far our most important and comprehensive product and service development programme,' said Mr Bey Soo Khiang, SIA Operations and Services senior executive vice-president.

'What we are introducing today is a suite of products that meets, if not exceeds the expectations of the increasingly sophisticated world traveller,' he said on Tuesday.

The 570-million-dollar product and service development programme marks the completion of an extensive four-year project.

The timeline was part of the carrier's fleet expansion plan that will welcome the Boeing 777-300ER (extended range) and the Airbus A380.

The changes were made with customers' feedback in mind, said SIA.

KrisWorld inflight entertainment system
The next generation KrisWorld inflight entertainment system offers over 1,000 on-demand movies, TV programmes, interactive games, music, as well as learning applications.

New additions include office tools like spreadsheet, presentation and word processing.

The first in the world to launch the latest eX2 inflight entertainment system, SIA now boasts larger, high-resolution screens across all three classes, and compact intuitive handsets.

Every seat also provides external USB ports, as well as new noise reduction headsets for first and business class travellers.

New seats
Other revamps include the design of new seats, which allows for more personal space and legroom across all three first, business and economy classes, said SIA.

In particular, the new leather seat in first class, 89cm wide, is the most spacious of its kind offered by a commercial airline.

There will be only eight such seats in the cabin for greater privacy, the carrier said.

Meanwhile, the 76-cm business class seat measures a generous 50 per cent wider than most other carriers'.

Both can be converted into a fully-flat bed, for greater comfort while travelling.

Customers travelling on Singapore Airlines' new B777-300ER services from this December, between Singapore and Paris, and subsequently Zurich, will be the first to experience these new products.

SIA is scheduled to take delivery of its first B777-300ER in November 2006, of the 19 it has on firm order, it said. Ten will enter service by the middle of 2007.

The Airbus A380 aircraft will also feature variations of some of these products when it joins the fleet.

By E-von Yeung, Straits Times Interactive

Singapore Airlines hopes to raise ticket prices


SINGAPORE –– Singapore Airlines (SIA) is hoping to raise ticket prices starting in December as it rolls out its first batch of aircraft with upgraded interiors, the carrier said Tuesday.

SIA says it is spending 360 million US dollars on the development and installation of wider seats, a next-generation entertainment system and enhanced service on the Boeing 777ER aircraft and Airbus A380 super jumbo.

"With the improvement in the product, all the space and comfort we give you, we do expect a differential in pricing," SIA executive vice president for marketing Huang Cheng Eng said after unveiling the new interior design.

Huang said he expects SIA to raise ticket prices by 10-20 percent.

Customers travelling on Singapore Airlines' new Boeing 777-300ER between Singapore and Paris in December will be the first to experience the new cabin products, SIA said.

The first of 19 777-300 Extended Range aircraft will arrive in November. SIA is to be the first airline to fly the double-decker Airbus A380 aircraft

The carrier was originally supposed to receive the first of an original order of 10 A380s early this year but delays have progressively pushed back the plane's arrival.

Airbus this month announced another delay in the program and said Singapore's first A380 will now be delivered in October of next year. –– AFP

go to singaporeair.com for pics and more info!

Man, they look great!

TORONTO

Just Amazing,great work :okay:

:eek2: :eek: :eek2: :eek:

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j67/RCSSC/sqcabin2.jpg

BTW, does anyone know what aircraft does Singapore Airlines use to service their short-haul routes?

Currently I think they use 777s

Singapore Airlines could cancel Airbus order

18 Oct 06

PARIS - Singapore Airlines could cancel an order for nine Airbus A380 superjumbos if there are excessive delays to its delivery, French newspapers reported.

'If the deliveries are too far away and take place at a moment during which we do not need them, we could indeed cancel them,' Mr Bey Soo Khiang, senior executive vice-president of the airline, was quoted as saying in La Tribune.

Airbus, the aircraft maker controlled by aerospace group EADS , has not have given Singapore Airlines a precise schedule for all the deliveries, La Tribune said.

A Singapore Airlines spokesman said: 'The comment quoted in the French media refers only to the option that exists in the Purchase Agreement to cancel deliveries that are delayed. There has been no decision to exercise any cancellation rights under the Agreement. We therefore can't rule any options in or out at this time, which is the position we have maintained since the delay was announced.'

Airbus could not be reached for comment.

The order for nine A380s comes on top of a firm order of 10 aircraft signed last year by the airline, the world second largest by market capitalisation, La Tribune noted.

Airbus has revealed a string of internal problems which have led it to delay the first deliveries of its superjumbo A380 aircraft.

Singapore Airlines said on Tuesday it had spent US$360 million on interior design for its new aircraft including first-class seats that are nearly 1m wide. -- REUTERS

Right, it was a 777 when I on SQ to Jakarta a year ago. A very short 75-minutes flight.

Nikom, I this that picture you posted is believe it or not is their current seat fitted on their planes right now, not the new ones being introduced!!!

Singapore Airlines new seats will redefine comfort levels! They are the widest seats of any commercial carrier in the world, look how wide they are!!. LCD's galore, First class having 23 inches, Business having 15 inches and economy having 10.6 inches.

Pictures from http://www.singaporeair.com

First Class

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3379/sianewfpu2.jpg

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/exp/eot/new/first_seat_4.jpg

Business Class (Raffles class brand has been removed)

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/exp/eot/new/business_landing.jpg

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/exp/eot/new/business_seat_1.jpg

Economy Class

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/exp/eot/new/economy_landing.jpg

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/exp/eot/new/economy_seat_2.jpg

http://www.singaporeair.com/saa/en_UK/images/exp/eot/new/economy_seat_1.jpg

I'm so glad I'm a member of Star Alliance, SIA really is a credit to them. Singapore Airlines says it will charge 10-20 % premium on the services apparently, but seeing that their product is so revolutionary, I bet it'll be a success once again, especially when you consider their rivals Malaysia Airlines and THAI are years behind when it comes to cabin amenities, especially in comparison since they both haven't finished upgrading their aircrafts to provide inflight products that SIA have had in service since 2000.

^^Indeed, revolutionary. Business class with a 1-2-1 seat configuation is a very daring move. I wonder how would Cathay Pacific react to this.

SIN service is always super and impressive !

Yeah, I was surprised when I got on a 777 from Singapore to Brunei... That is almost 2 hours though, but still. And is it me or are the 777 really old?

Yeah, I was surprised when I got on a 777 from Singapore to Brunei... That is almost 2 hours though, but still. And is it me or are the 777 really old?

I'm not sure how old the earliest 777s in the fleet are, but they've been around since the late 90s. They have ordered the new extended-range model as well, and 787s and A350s which will serve the shorter haul routes I guess.

Yeah, I was surprised when I got on a 777 from Singapore to Brunei... That is almost 2 hours though, but still. And is it me or are the 777 really old?


Normally these flights within Southeast Asia would be on A310. But SIA has already phased out all A310 long ago. So SIA has alot of Boeing 777s (with alot of new ones coming in with latest one - B777-300ER) to replace A310.

SIA has been looking for medium type planes but they could not find. So they end up with bigger heavier planes - B777.

With order of B787, A350 and interim A330, these planes will be deployed on medium-type flights. The older B777s will be phased out as B787/A330/A350 come in.

A330 will come in first before A350 comes out. Once a fleet of A350 arrives, A330 may be gone.

B777 is too big for such flights that are less than 5 hours.

This explains why MAS has to deploy A330 for Sin-KL flights. :)

The A330/A350 is still about 300 seats... way too much for such a short, low density trip. Why did SIA decide to phase out the A310?

I'm not sure how old the earliest 777s in the fleet are, but they've been around since the late 90s. They have ordered the new extended-range model as well, and 787s and A350s which will serve the shorter haul routes I guess.


SIA's first triple seven, a 772ER (total of 46) was received by the carrier in May 1997.
Its second variant, the 773 (total of 12) started coming in early December 1998.
The first of its latest 773ER (total of 19) will be in next month.
Total 777s ordered: 77.

Trivia: SIA operates the largest 777 fleet in the world.

The A330/A350 is still about 300 seats... way too much for such a short, low density trip. Why did SIA decide to phase out the A310?

A310 is very old long range Airbus plane, built with derivation from Airbus A300. A300 was the first generation of Airbus family since its first commerical service with Lufthansa in 1983.

A310 can carry up to 250 passengers. It has became more costly to maintain A310 as spares may not be able to sustain the maintenance for long time. It was no point to operate old planes that are more than 20 years. So SIA finally put them out of service long ago.

Since then, Boeing B777 has became backbone of SIA fleet, shadowing the number of Boeing 747-400 which was used to be the biggest fleet in SIA.

5 SIA A340-500 jets are used for long distance flights with no stops, exclusively for Singapore-US cities.

A310 has been serving SIA for decades. All A300 and A310 are not fully fly-by-wire (FBW).

A320, A330, A340, A350, A380 are all FBW planes. FBW cockpits are based on design from Airbus A320 cockpits with computers and joysticks that u can find on F16 jet.

Only Boeing planes and older Airbus models (A310, A300) all have steering wheels.

A330 is bigger and heavier than A310 - more suitable for medium type routes. Boeing B777 is versatile jet that is suitable for higher dense routes.

Because there was no actual replacement of A310, SIA ended with Boeing 777. A350 and B787 only come after 2010. We can expect first interim Airbus A330 to serve SIA until A350 come in.

SIA rarely have narrowbodies jets that have less than 200 seats. All SIA fleet is all wide bodied jets.

Silkair has all fleet of A320 and A319 - all narrow bodied jets.

5 SIA A340-500 jets are used for long distance flights with no stops, exclusively for Singapore-US cities.


The A340-500 also serves SIN - CGK (Jakarta) twice a day. The other 6 fligths are served by 777.

There is a link at You Tube on the new First Class, Business Class, Economy Class, and Krisworld.

It is amazing what SQ is doing here. When all the competitors are only coming up with the 2nd or 3rd generation seats or the VS type J class seats, SQ come up with something that really has the biggest "WOW" factor.

I provide here the link to the new Business Class. While you are there, you can also find the links to the other classes as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy7nRjns95M

the business class is superb

the new business class looks kinda like emirates first class on their t7s minus the personal mini bar of course... singapore airlines just keeps breaking barriers dont they?

i agree that the first n raffles classes have gone up serveral notches :clap: , but what about the majority that take economy? the econ cls seats look much worst than the ones currently in use. i much prefer happy blue-purble THICK seats with nice head support and adjustable backbone support, to the new dull brown (trying to get the classy ambience...-.-") extra THin seats that look rock hard to me...
i dont see how this is an upgrade or even a refresh, seat-comfort and astetics wise, its a fall. although there 1thing VERY commendable for all 3 classes, that is the new xtra large screens, econ getting ex-bz class size, bz getting ex-first class size, first class watching on large screen tvs! (almost...) i'd like to see other airlines top that

I like that the handsets are now installed in the seatbacks instead of the armrests like they once were, restricting mobility and sometimes causing the whole handset to fall to the floor in a loud thud

Why SIA is still a great way to fly

23 Oct 06

http://straitstimes.asiaone.com/STI/STIMEDIA/image/20061022/ST_IMAGES_NDKASIA23-8R1t.jpg
SPACE AND MORE: SIA's $570 million bundle of new offerings includes the widest seats and personal entertainment monitors in the sky; USB ports for all seats; and an in-flight system that offers more than 1,000 entertainment options.


SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) prides itself on being a great way to fly - and so it will be with its new cabins, where passengers from first to cattle class can stretch out their legs farther than before.
The $570 million bundle of new offerings looks unbeatable: the widest seats and personal entertainment monitors in the sky; flat beds; USB ports for all seats; an in-flight system that offers more than 1,000 entertainment options, plus computer applications like wordprocessing and spreadsheet software.

In the first class, personal LCD screens will be 23 inches wide and in business class, 15.4 inches. Economy passengers will get 10.6-inch-wide screens.

The airline that offers the closest to what SIA will be rolling out is probably Cathay Pacific, which unveiled a new range of products recently, with TV screens enlarged to 9 inches in economy, 15 in business and 17 in first class.

But stay tuned for what British Airways might have up its sleeve: It is to unveil its business-class product some time next month.

Of course, comfortable flying will cost money. SIA passengers on the Singapore-Paris route, who will be the first to enjoy the airline's new flying experience from December, will pay 10 to 20 per cent more in airfare. So a round-trip economy ticket that now costs $1,650 before taxes and other charges - according to SIA's website - will cost about $240 more. For business-class travellers who now pay $6,300, the extra luxury will cost up to $1,260 more.

But despite higher charges, demand is not expected to take a big hit. SIA has never been about cheap travel anyway. Even now, it usually charges a premium over other airlines - and it can do so because it is an established brand name.

People fly SIA because it is perceived to be the best in the sky and those who travel in the airline's premium classes generally 'focus less on prices than those who fly with some of the other carriers', said Mr Richard Pinkham, who is based in Singapore for the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, an airline consultancy.

In economy class, where money matters more, the airline can easily boost demand if necessary during low seasons with promotional fares - a tool it uses often against budget carriers encroaching on its short-haul turf.

SIA's first cabin overhaul in eight years will widen the service gap between it and its competition - such as British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific and Emirates - and strengthen its position as the world's premier luxury airliner.

The airline, with a current fleet of just under 100 planes, carried close to 17 million passengers in the past year, compared to Cathay, which carried 15.4 million, and the almost 14.5 million people that Emirates flew. Cathay has just over 100 aircraft while Emirates has 85 planes or thereabouts.

To be in the airline business is to compete in a race to stay on top.

SIA's senior executive vice-president for operations and services, Mr Bey Soo Khiang, said: 'As we innovate, we expect that competitors will catch up and the gap will narrow, but innovating and upgrading are in our DNA, so to speak, in order to maintain our brand image and set new standards.'

Agreeing, Mr Shane Batt, a senior partner at airline consultancy Sabre Airline Solutions, pointed out: 'Most carriers make decisions regarding the upgrading of their interiors and the renewal of their service offerings based upon the actions of other carriers.'

According to him, 'essentially there exists an arms race to see who has the best seat, the widest screen for in-flight entertainment, the largest selection of movies, music and games'.

He said 'the service-oriented carriers will improve their interiors and, for some time, that carrier will be on top. Then another carrier will upgrade and there is a change at the top'.

After SIA's new cabin launch last Tuesday, British Airways quickly pointed out that it had introduced flat beds instead of inclined flat beds in business class six years ago. Mr Rob McDonald, BA's regional marketing manager for South-east Asia, said: 'As the saying goes, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.'

SIA's innovations will probably help the carrier add to the accolades it is awarded every year by trade magazines and publications that ask mainly corporate travellers to rate and vote for the best airline.

Some titles that SIA has won include best international airline, best regional airline, best cabin crew, best food, best in-flight entertainment, best in business class, best in first class...the list goes on.

Just last week, SIA received the US-based Conde Nast Traveller Award for Best International Airline. This is the 18th consecutive year it has won this award.

For an airline that gets as much as 40 per cent of its revenue from first- and business-class passengers, it is no surprise that every effort is made to please the well- heeled traveller.

But hearteningly, even economy-class passengers have been on SIA's radar. In 2001, for example, the airline extended to economy class the availability of on-demand audio and video, which allows passengers to watch and hear what they want, when they want.

In the latest revamp, economy-class seats will be 48 cm wide - up to 5cm wider than the current ones. Passengers will also get extra legroom because boxes holding the equipment for the entertainment system, normally found under every seat, have been removed.

'Hardware' - the size of the seats and amount of legroom - is important and much appreciated. But the truth is, passengers flying premium airlines rarely complain about bad movies or boring computer games. When they do complain, it is usually because of unsatisfactory service - a flight attendant who forgot a drink order or who was perceived to be a little rude.

Airlines with deep pockets can play catch-up on 'hardware', but the 'software' component is what brands an airline as truly superior.

SIA takes four months to train a flight attendant - longer than any other carrier in the industry. Half the time is spent polishing soft skills: how to greet passengers, deal with unruly travellers, pour wine elegantly, stay well-groomed. SIA spends about $20 million a year on customer-service training.

Other carriers, such as British Airways, complete their cabin crew training in six to seven weeks and tend to focus more on functional skills such as safety and emergency procedures, as well as specialist medical training.

Ultimately, the new-generation products and the latest technology can be easily copied, but the Singapore Girl is a tough act to follow.


By Karamjit Kaur, Aviation Correspondent

I like that the handsets are now installed in the seatbacks instead of the armrests like they once were, restricting mobility and sometimes causing the whole handset to fall to the floor in a loud thud

HAHAHAHAHA!!! That happened to me numerous times! I put the handset on my lap and because I moved about in the seat, it fell to the floor with a humongous THUD!!! If the handset were upfront I wouldn't have the habit of putting it on my lap since I can easily access the buttons upfront, saving myself and people around me the noise. But the inflight's playback's a bit laggy sometimes when I rewind etc.

hrm... when i drop the controller i dont really notice any thud; my main problem is it always gets lost among the blankets and jackets!

hrm... when i drop the controller i dont really notice any thud; my main problem is it always gets lost among the blankets and jackets!

If mine doesnt drop to the floor mine just goes under my butt haha or somewhere around there, so I have to follow the wire and dig it out...haiz...

getting up and forgetting the headphones are still stuck to the armrest...I used to go to the toilet with the headphones draped around my neck

but its bliss when the seat next to you is empty...

getting up and forgetting the headphones are still stuck to the armrest...I used to go to the toilet with the headphones draped around my neck

but its bliss when the seat next to you is empty...

Okay once again, THAT HAPPENED TO ME TOO! We have similar experiences...

I just don't like how they issue the headsets way after takeoff and collect the headsets way before landing. But I guess its for safety...Cant be helped...

well...its the joy of flying economy I guess :lol:

Most important to me for economy are...decent seats and more entertainment than I can ever hope to finish watching

I suppose headsets are collected back to prevent wastage? or make it easier to retrieve after a flight....

I just don't like how they issue the headsets way after takeoff and collect the headsets way before landing. But I guess its for safety...Cant be helped...

That's weird. On the many times I flew, the headphones were available on the seat pocket in front of me. Of course, the entertainment system was not switched on. But I remember watching the safety video and listening to radio before takeoff using my earphones.

I flew Cathay Pacific, that is.

Nowadaz I dont use the blankets, the planes are hardly cold. In fact, my Tiger Airways flight to Hanoi was incredibly warm.

That's weird. On the many times I flew, the headphones were available on the seat pocket in front of me. Of course, the entertainment system was not switched on. But I remember watching the safety video and listening to radio before takeoff using my earphones.

I flew Cathay Pacific, that is.

Nowadaz I dont use the blankets, the planes are hardly cold. In fact, my Tiger Airways flight to Hanoi was incredibly warm.

When I few Eva Air on their newest A330 with an inflight entertainment system (not as superior as Singapore Airlines' but still impressive nevertheless) the headsets from what I recall were in the front seat pocket as well. It was just Singapore Airlines that had the Singapore Girl handing them out and collecting them back after takeoff and before landing.

I don't feel cold on planes usually, but I enjoy snuggling up into the blanket... I will put the pillow up against the window and sleep. I like window seats and thankfully I am not a toilet person on planes...

Business Times - 26 Oct 2006

Hock Lock Siew
Not plain luxury, but a necessity

By VEN SREENIVASAN

SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA) must have some pretty good reasons for spending US$360 million on the luxurious new seating and sleeping arrangements it has just unveiled for its cabins. So what are those reasons?

The new Givenchy-designed cabins featuring luxurious First Class sleeper bed-seats almost a metre wide, or the airline's 76cm-wide Business Class flat-bed seats, could in themselves provide some passengers with the space for some naughty dalliances miles high in the sky.

It is notable in a highly competitive market just how far airlines will go, and how much they will cough up to outfit their planes with the latest luxuries. Just how can the payback justify the frills?

SIA is spending big money to undertake its biggest cabin facelift ever - in terms of dollars-per-seat as well as the overall price. It amounts to just over one-fifth of the airline's total revenue for the previous two years. And this is on top of some US$12 billion (based on list prices) that SIA is spending on fleet renewal involving new Airbus A380 and A350 planes and Boeing 787 aircraft.

The cabin upgrading programme - four years in the making - was earlier planned to coincide with the arrival of SIA's first A380 in December.

But with that aircraft delayed for a further 10 months, the cabins will initially be seen in new B777-300ERs, the first of which will join SIA's fleet next month.

The last time SIA did a major product upgrade was in 1998, when it spent some US$500 million on its B747 rollout. The 747 fleet was, of course, much bigger than the B777-300ER on which it is spending the US$360 million.

So, might SIA Line is overdrawn have gone overboard, especially given the high fuel price, and environmental and market uncertainties?

The short answer is: No.

Leading global carriers like SIA get between 50 and 70 per cent of their revenues from premium-class seats. SIA officials have let out that the airline gets up to 18 per cent of its revenue from First Class seats and about another 50 per cent from Business Class.

While airlines do not reveal the breakdown in terms of earnings contribution, analysts reckon premium passengers account for well over two-thirds of total seat yield.

UBS Investment Research released a study two months ago showing that carriers like SIA, Cathay Pacific and British Airways (BA) have done exceptionally well despite high fuel prices because of their strong position in the premium and corporate markets. Citing a survey of some 180 travel managers, UBS noted that corporate travel had a low price elasticity.

SIA's last Business Class upgrade was in 2002. But competitors have upgraded too. Emirates and Cathay Pacific have had two Business Class seat and cabin upgrades in the past four years.

And in 2000, BA introduced what it claimed were the first truly flat beds in its Club World service. Next month, BA will unveil a further 100 million (S$295 million) investment in even newer seats.

SIA and its rivals are facing a dynamic and competitive market where the ability to extract a premium price depends on high-margin products. And the life cycles of these premium-grade seats are getting steadily shorter. So rather than opt for incremental improvements, airlines like SIA have to drive their superior brand names via innovations which takes them leaps ahead of the competition. And that edge, in product differentiation and branding, enables SIA to charge more than its rivals can for Business and First Class seats.

SIA has already revealed that a ticket on a plane fitted with is latest posh cabin will cost 10-20 per cent more. Given that it already charges a 10 per cent premium over its rivals, this translates into a premium of almost 30 per cent.

And SIA cannot hope to command that kind of pricing and still hope to fill its Business and First Class cabins with half measures. So expenditure on premium-class frills has, in SIA's case, a direct bearing on the quality of its earnings. For the airline, it is not a luxury but a necessity.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 27 Oct 2006

SIA to add Asia, US routes for new Boeing aircraft

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) Singapore Airlines will deploy its new Boeing 777-300ER planes, with new cabin products, on routes within Asia and the US, in addition to Europe.

The aircraft will be delivered progressively from November, and will enter commercial service on the Singapore-Paris route in early December 2006.

But SIA will also deploy the planes for its six times daily Singapore-Hong Kong and thrice-weekly Singapore-Milan-Barcelona flights in December.

And in January, the new planes will be deployed on the daily Singapore-Zurich flights, followed by Singapore-Seoul-San Francisco service in March.

In May, the newest plane will be put on the daily Singapore-Frankfurt route.

'Beyond the destinations we're announcing now, we will look at further deployments gradually to other cities in Europe, the South Pacific and North Asia, including China,' said SIA's spokesman Stephen Forshaw.

'We'll make announcements about those further schedules in the future,' Mr Forshaw added.

SIA has ordered 19 of the B777-300ER planes and expects to receive six B777-300ERs this year and four more by mid-2007, followed by nine in 2008.

The aircraft will be fitted with the airline's new range of cabin products, including the largest First and Business Class seats with fully flat beds, a more spacious Economy Class, and an enhanced KrisWorld inflight entertainment system featuring over 1000 options, plus a suite of office applications.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.