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342K views 905 replies 126 participants last post by  hkskyline 
#1 ·
The Creation of Singapore Airlines



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



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.




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.








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.




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.




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.

 
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9
#494 ·
SilkAir to order Boeing 737s.

SILKAIR TO ORDER UP TO 68 NEW BOEING AIRCRAFT

Press Release

3 August 2012

SILKAIR TO ORDER UP TO 68 NEW BOEING AIRCRAFT

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 68 new aircraft from Boeing.

The order is the largest in SilkAir's history and remains subject to the negotiation of a final purchase agreement.

It will comprise firm orders for 54 aircraft and purchase rights for another 14. Firm orders will comprise 23 Boeing 737-800s and 31 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. SilkAir will have the flexibility to switch to other variants within the B737 product range.

The firm-ordered aircraft are valued at US$4.9 billion based on current Boeing list prices. Deliveries are due to begin in 2014 and continue to 2021, by which time the Airline's fleet will have more than doubled in size.

SilkAir currently operates 21 A319s and A320s, with three more A320s due for delivery by the end of 2013. The new aircraft will cater for both growth and fleet renewal.

SilkAir Chief Executive Marvin Tan said the size of the order reflects the Airline's confidence in the Asia-Pacific air travel market, helping the carrier maintain annual double-digit percentage growth rates through the end of this decade and beyond.

"We continue to see very strong growth within the region and these new aircraft will position SilkAir well. They will enable us to spread our wings to even more destinations and increase capacity on existing routes, contributing to the overall SIA Group network," said Mr Tan.

"The selection of the B737 follows detailed evaluations and extensive negotiations with both Airbus and Boeing. The order will enable us to maintain a young and modern fleet, with an aircraft that has a proven track record of strong customer appeal, excellent reliability and low operating costs."

The B737-800 is the best-selling variant in Boeing's popular Next Generation family of single-aisle aircraft. The B737 MAX is currently in development and will be the latest generation of the product line.
http://www.silkair.com/mbe/en_UK/content/corporate/newsflash/NF1001_03082012.jsp
They currently operate an all Airbus fleet consisting of 6 A319s and 15 A320s.
 
#495 ·
Source:http://news.yahoo.com/singapore-airlines-revamps-cabins-110008003--finance.html?_esi=1
Singapore Airlines revamps cabins
AFP – 1 hr 4 mins ago
Singapore Airlines has said it plans to introduce revamped seats and cabin interiors with an upgraded in-flight entertainment in a bid to stay ahead of Asian and Middle East rivals in the premium travel market.

SIA is regarded as a trendsetter in aviation and is famous for its cabin service, but rivals like Cathay Pacific in Asia and Etihad, Emirates and Gulf Air from the Middle East have been closing the gap while offering lower fares.

It said Tuesday it has hired BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA and James Park Associates, two renowned design companies, to develop "next generation of inflight cabin products" slated to be introduced next year.
The changes will include revamped seats, redesigned cabins and upgraded entertainment platforms as new passenger planes from Boeing and Airbus begin arriving.

Emphasis will be on first and business class which generate the bulk of its revenue but the airline said it will not overlook its economy class which will offer improved seat and headrest comfort.

New Boeing 777-300 ERs are expected to enter service in the second half of next year, followed progressively by Airbus A350s and Boeing 787s, the airline said.

But the airline said its current fleet, which includes Airbus A380 superjumbos, can also be retrofitted with the new designs.

"In this business, if you are staying still, you are moving backwards as your competitors can catch up quickly ," said Tan Pee Teck, SIA's senior vice president for products and services.

"It is therefore important to always be planning for the future."

Analysts say the airline is being squeezed in the first and business class section by full-service carriers and in the economy class by low cost airlines.

"Relatively speaking, Singapore Airlines is losing its competitive edge in premium Asia travel not because it's a bad airline, but because the others -- like Emirates -- are becoming so good," said Jonathan Galaviz, managing director of Galaviz & Co which follows the global airline and tourism sector.

SIA's net profit in the year to March 2012 slumped 69 percent to Sg$336 million ($269 million), after a rare loss in the fiscal fourth-quarter due to high oil prices and rising competition.
 
#500 ·
Source:http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_singapore_business/view/1221663/1/.html
Singapore Airlines to spend US$16m upgrading lounges
Posted: 23 August 2012 1349 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines said Thursday it will spend more than S$20 million (US$16 million) to upgrade its airport lounges worldwide in a bid to stay ahead of the competition.

The announcement of the upgrade came nine days after the airline, facing fiercer rivalry from Asian and Middle Eastern carriers, unveiled plans to introduce revamped seats and cabin interiors as well as improved in-flight entertainment.

The upgrade of its "SilverKris" lounges will be carried out over five years starting from the middle of next year when the facility at Sydney airport will be fitted with a new design concept, SIA said in a statement.

"We hope to replicate that 'home away from home' experience in our lounges, along with the warm Asian hospitality that Singapore Airlines is renowned for," SIA senior vice president for products and services Tan Pee Teck said.

The airline has 15 SilverKris lounges at airports worldwide, including one in New Delhi -- to be officially opened next month -- and in Seoul which is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

SIA is regarded as a trendsetter in aviation and is famous for its cabin service, but rivals like Cathay Pacific in Asia and Etihad, Emirates and Gulf Air from the Middle East have been closing the gap while offering lower fares.

It said last week it had hired BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA and James Park Associates, two renowned design companies, to develop the "next generation of inflight cabin products" expected to be introduced next year.

The changes will include revamped seats, redesigned cabins and upgraded entertainment platforms as new passenger planes from Boeing and Airbus begin arriving.

- AFP/wm
 
#502 ·
Source:http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/singapore-airlines-start-daily-yangon-054538302.html
Singapore Airlines to start daily Yangon service
Agence-France Presse – 7 hours ago

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Wednesday it will start a daily service to Yangon in October to meet growing business and tourist demand for flights to Myanmar's largest city.

The announcement by one of the world's top airlines comes amid growing international interest in once-isolated Myanmar, which launched political reforms after ending nearly half a century of military rule last year.

"Demand has been growing strongly for both business and leisure travel to Myanmar, and Singapore Airlines looks forward to serving the country for the first time," SIA executive vice president Mak Swee Wah said in a statement.

SIA will take over seven of the 16 flights run every week by its regional wing SilkAir from October 28, using 323-seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft to boost the group's weekly seat capacity to Yangon by 55 percent.

SilkAir uses smaller Airbus A320 planes.

"SIA and SilkAir are constantly looking at new market opportunities and the launch of SIA services enables us to quickly meet the growing demand for travel to this increasingly popular destination," Mak added.

Yangon, the former capital, is the country's biggest city and remains its commercial hub despite the transfer of the seat of power to the remote administrative centre Naypyidaw in 2005.

Myanmar has surprised the international community by freeing political prisoners and launching a series of reforms that have convinced leading Western nations to start rolling back sanctions.

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Wednesday it will start a daily service to Yangon in October to meet growing business and tourist demand for flights to Myanmar's largest city.
 
#505 ·
Source:http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/singapore-airlines-launches-50-million-144500658.html
Singapore Airlines Launches $50 Million In-flight Connectivity Program

Press Release: Singapore Airlines – Thu, 6 Sep, 2012 10:45 AM EDT

NEW YORK, Sept. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Singapore Airlines is today formally launching In-Flight Connectivity as part of a $50 million program to bring Internet and mobile data services to customers, even when flying at 35,000ft.

Following a recent soft launch on a limited number of aircraft, In-Flight Connectivity is today available on 14 aircraft in the fleet, including all five Airbus A340-500s which are deployed on the world's longest non-stop flights, between Singapore and both Newark and Los Angeles. Services have also been extended to more markets such as Australia, for which regulatory approvals had not previously been obtained.

Travelers can surf the Internet, send and receive emails on smartphones and other electronic devices, and send and receive SMS text messages[1] with GSM-compatible mobile phones.

Through a partnership with leading connectivity provider OnAir, the technology will be progressively rolled out across all of SIA's long-haul Airbus A380-800, A340-500 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft over the next two years.
Services are offered on routes on which equipped aircraft are deployed, subject to regulatory approvals from individual countries. A map highlighting availability when flying over specific countries is published in the Airline's KrisWorld in-flight entertainment magazine.

Promotional price plans are also being introduced from today for wireless Internet access. The promotional prices, which will last until November 30, 2012, are $25 for 30 megabytes of data and $10 for 10 megabytes of data. The previous plans cost $29.95 for 26 megabytes and $11.95 for 10 megabytes.

A joint promotion with SingTel also enables SingTel Mobile subscribers to enjoy discounted roaming rates of up to 40% for in-flight text messaging and GPRS data services, as well as up to 20% for incoming and outgoing voice calls. The discounted roaming rates are displayed on SingTel's corporate website and the joint promotion will last until March 31, 2013. For more information, please visit www.singtel.com/dataroam.

"As our customers' preferences towards entertainment and connectivity options change over time, so must we. Mobile and Internet connectivity capabilities are just the start, enabling our customers to stay connected even when flying at 35,000ft. There will be much more investment in the months and years ahead to keep our customers both connected and entertained," said SIA's Senior Vice President Product & Services, Mr. Tan Pee Teck.

"We have always been a leader in embracing technology and are confident that these initiatives will both meet and exceed our customers' high expectations, keeping us at the forefront of airline product innovation."

In addition to the $50 million investment in In-Flight Connectivity services, work is underway to bring the next generation of in-flight entertainment offerings to our customers. This will include the latest hardware systems with new screen and handset technology, in addition to much more video and audio content. Details are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
 
#511 ·
Source:http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3910989.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home
SilkAir to start Vizag-Singapore non-stop flight from Oct 28

VISAKHAPATNAM, SEPT 18:
SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will commence services from Visakhapatnam to Singapore from October 28.

With this new air link, the global route network of the airlines will grow to 42 in twelve countries, according to G.M Toh, the General Manager of Singapore Airlines (India).

At a press meet here on Tuesday, he said it would be the first international non-stop flight from Vizag and it would boost commerce and trade between the two cities.

Visakhapatnam, he said, was one of the fastest growing cities in India and improved air connectivity would impart impetus to its growth. The flight would be operated thrice a week and depending on the need the frequency would be enhanced, he said.

He said there was daily flight to Singapore from Hyderabad.

The bookings for the Vizag flight would begin from Tuesday, he added.

The fare would be Rs 20,688 (two-way) and it would be applicable to flights between October 20 and November 30.

In response to a question, he said SilkAir was not a low-cost airline and the passengers would have to pay for quality service.
 
#513 ·
An announcement on the collaboration between Scoot and Tiger Airways.

Tiger Airways & Scoot collaborate to jointly sell tickets
By Brandon Tanoto | Posted: 01 October 2012 2039 hrs



Campbell Wilson, CEO of Scoot (2nd L); Koay Peng Yen, Tiger Airways' Group CEO (3rd R) and Stewart Adams, Tiger Airways S'pore Managing Director (R). (Photo: Weber Shandwick)

SINGAPORE: Tiger Airways Singapore and Singapore Airlines' long-haul budget airline Scoot, signed a partnership deal to jointly market tickets to destinations served by either firms on Monday.

Tiger Airways is an associate of Temasek Holdings, which is the holding company of Singapore Airlines, Scoot's parents. Singapore Airlines owns 32.7 per cent of Tiger Airways.

Under the agreement, the first phase of the partnership will see the two carriers jointly sell itineraries between Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur, destinations served by Tiger, as well as Sydney and Gold Coast, where Scoot flies.

This trial will enable customers to purchase flight itineraries to various destinations from Australia to highly-visited South East Asian destinations. Passengers will transit in Singapore.

Customers will however, have to pass through immigration and collect their belongings before proceeding to check into the second leg of their flight upon their arrival in Singapore.

The later phase will see customers being able to purchase flight itineraries from South East Asia.

The two budget carriers will also boost this service with a direct connection process to allow customers to continue their journeys without passing through immigration and collecting their baggage.

According to the statement, the joint itineraries from Australia will be on sale from Tuesday for trips from October 15, while those originating from Asia will be available from November 2.

In a joint statement, both airlines said there could be a need for applications for anti-trust immunity as the cooperation deepens in future. This will be sought from the relevant regulatory authorities at the appropriate time as required.

- CNA/xq
source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1229000/1/.html
 
#519 ·
Some news on SIA's freeze on hiring cadet pilots.

SIA to freeze hiring of cadet pilots due to temporary surplus
By Yvonne Chan | Posted: 22 October 2012 1858 hrs


SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it will freeze the hiring of cadet pilots due to a temporary surplus of First Officers.

In a statement to Channel NewsAsia, SIA said the company recruits cadets on a three-year lead time basis, and it adjusts cadet recruitment requirements based on its operational environment and other factors such as future aircraft deliveries.

It takes about three years from the time SIA recruits the cadets to the time they become First Officers. The last batch of cadets was recruited early this year.

Analysts Channel NewsAsia spoke to said this was a prudent move by SIA given the current economic uncertainty.

"There have been downturns in the past where SQ has found that it has too many cadet pilots and as a consequence, it has had to retrench cadet pilots or have them go on no-pay leave for lengthy periods of time." said Leithen Francis, an editor at Aviation Week.

"So to avoid a repeat of that situation, I think its prudent that SIA is acting sooner rather than later, by temporarily halting recruitment of cadet pilots. After all, the global economic situation still remains unclear," he added.

SIA denied that the move was linked to a decline in the demand for travel, as reported in The Straits Times newspaper on Monday. SIA also said it has no plans to move its pilots to its regional arm, SilkAir or budget offshoot, Scoot.

News of the hiring freeze comes a week before Singapore's national carrier announces its earnings results for Q3 2012 next Friday.

-CNA/ac
source: Channel NewsAsia - All Rights Reserved
 
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