SkyscraperCity Forum banner

✈ | Singapore-Based Carriers | SQ*/MI/TR/TZ

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.

 
See less See more
9
#558 ·
Source:http://business.financialpost.com/2013/01/28/porter-strikes-partnership-with-singapore-airlines/
Porter strikes partnership with Singapore Airlines
Scott Deveau | Jan 28, 2013 8:37 AM ET | Last Updated: Jan 28, 2013 8:38 AM ET

Porter Airlines announced Monday it had struck a new strategic partnership with Singapore Airlines.

The so-called interline agreement, which comes into effect immediately, will allow Singapore Airlines to transfer its passengers onto Porter’s planes at Newark’s Liberty International Airport using one ticket. Porter has a similar arrangements in place with South African Airways and Qatar Airways.

“This is Porter’s third interline agreement as we continue looking for opportunities to open new destinations for our customers and also introduce Porter to travellers around the world,” said Robert Deluce, Porter Airlines chief executive, in a statement. “Singapore Airline’s reputation as a leading global carrier is well known. Our passengers can now benefit from its service first hand.”
 
#559 ·
Source:http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1251174/1/.html
SIA to axe 76 pilots due to surplus
Posted: 30 January 2013 1815 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) said on Wednesday that it has taken the difficult decision of asking 76 pilots on fixed-term contracts to leave by end of June.

It said in a statement that it is releasing them before their contracts expire.

The airline had previously been releasing pilots only when their contracts expired.

SIA said it will help the pilots find jobs within the SIA Group and with other airlines.

The airline currently has a surplus of pilots as the global financial crisis of 2009-10 had resulted in excess capacity and slower-than-expected growth.

It had earlier put in place other measures to address the surplus. These included voluntary no-pay leave and the suspension of cadet pilot recruitment.

Pilots employed on fixed-term contracts make up about 4 per cent of Singapore Airlines' total pilot workforce.

- CNA/al
 
#560 ·
^^
It's sad. When most airlines in the region need more pilots, SIA is letting them go.
They should be offered to move to Scoot (which has been hiring), but maybe the the gap (salary, benefit, etc) is too great.
 
#561 ·
Source:http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1251479/1/.html
Scoot airlines to increase fleet, expand routes
By Yvonne Chan | Posted: 31 January 2013 2326 hrs

SINGAPORE: Scoot, the low cost long haul subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, has flown about 600,000 passengers after seven months of operation.

This means carrying about 85,000 travellers per month.

The carrier also has a passenger load factor of about 81 per cent and currently flies to eight destinations, including Tianjin, Shenyang and the Gold Coast.

Speaking at the "world's low cost airlines" conference on Thursday, CEO of Scoot Airlines Campbell Wilson was asked if the airline will be increasing its fleet and expanding its routes to cope with the ever growing demand for low cost travel in Southeast Asia.

Mr Wilson said: "We're taking a fifth aircraft this year end of May, early June, and we'll use that to add two or three more routes to the network. In terms of partnership, currently we work most closely with Tiger Airways, they have affiliates in other countries that we would look to expand our routes to. And furthermore there are airlines outside of Singapore and indeed outside of Southeast Asia that are quite interested to work with us. But its too premature to reveal who."

Scoot has introduced ScooTV, streaming inflight entertainment for passengers, and was the first to introduce iPads for rent.

Mr Wilson said it does not add to their costs at all.

"We only introduce these where there is a business benefit to us. We target to get over 20 per cent of our revenue from ancillary products of which entertainment is one. But as well as earning us money, it also helps the passenger. It's a win-win all round," he said.

Mr Wilson also commented on Boeing's Dreamliner despite the latest safety hiccups.

"The next aircraft we take this year is a 777-200 and the ones after that are 787s. Boeing is keeping us fully informed of what's happening with the 787 investigations and rectification and we are confident in their ability to resolve the issue under the purview of the regulators, and we look forward to taking the aircraft on schedule in November 2014. We have commitment for 20 Dreamliners," he said.

Several Scoot flights were recently hit by a series of passenger complaints stemming from flight delays and alleged technical faults.

Mr Wilson said: "The challenges are real. When you have a small fleet flying high utilisation. Anything whether its a weather delay, whether its a typhoon, fog in Tianjin today or storms in Gold Coast on Monday, they do affect aircraft schedules and sometimes have consequential effects. There's no avoiding that with a small fleet, but the high utilisation of aircraft is what allows us to offer low fares, so it's a bit of a quid pro quo.

"We're very clear to people what it is that we offer, we also make no secret what it is that we give in terms of compensation. The compensation is not just S$50, it can be more ranging to a full refund depending on the circumstances.

"Clearly, unit costs is unavoidable for operating an airline, unit revenue and engagement. You can't operate a business if you don't have low cost, you can't cover those cost if you don't have decent revenue and you don't have revenue if people don't like you."

- CNA/de
 
#579 ·
Source:http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_singapore_business/view/1252877/1/.html
SIA says third-quarter net profit up 6.0%
Posted: 07 February 2013 1906 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Thursday its third-quarter net profit rose six per cent year-on-year as the sale of aircraft and spare engines as well as interest income offset the impact of a business slowdown.

Net profit for the last three months of 2012 totalled S$143 million, SIA said, attributing the rise to gains from the "sale of aircraft, spares and spare engines, and higher net interest income".

Revenue however eased 0.40 per cent to S$3.86 billion, and the carrier warned of tough times ahead for the passenger and cargo markets.

"The outlook for international air travel demand continues to be challenging and the cargo market remains depressed amid the troubled European economy and the weak recovery in the United States," the airline said.

"Loads and yields of both passenger and cargo businesses are expected to remain under pressure, while the price of jet fuel continues to be at a historical high," it added.

"The depreciation of revenue-generating currencies against the Singapore dollar poses yet another challenge."

Fuel expenses totalled S$1.5 billion during the quarter, accounting for more than 38 per cent of revenues.

SIA said its non-operating gains were dented by S$20 million in fines for its subsidiary SIA Cargo in relation to civil penalty proceedings "in respect of competition law matters in Australia and New Zealand".

The cargo arm of SIA was slapped with the fines last year after it admitted to colluding with various other airlines, including Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, to fix prices for air cargo.

SIA -- widely regarded as a bellwether for full-service airlines -- has implemented a series of cost-cutting measures amid a global industry slowdown.

In the latest measure, the airline asked 76 foreign pilots to leave by June 30 before the expiry of their employment contracts.

It had earlier called for captains and first officers to volunteer for unpaid leave and has also frozen its intake of cadet pilots.

- AFP/jc
 
#580 ·
News on the airline's net profit.

SIA says third-quarter net profit up 6.0%
Posted: 07 February 2013 1906 hrs


SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) said Thursday its third-quarter net profit rose six per cent year-on-year as the sale of aircraft and spare engines as well as interest income offset the impact of a business slowdown.

Net profit for the last three months of 2012 totalled S$143 million, SIA said, attributing the rise to gains from the "sale of aircraft, spares and spare engines, and higher net interest income".

Revenue however eased 0.40 per cent to S$3.86 billion, and the carrier warned of tough times ahead for the passenger and cargo markets.

"The outlook for international air travel demand continues to be challenging and the cargo market remains depressed amid the troubled European economy and the weak recovery in the United States," the airline said.

"Loads and yields of both passenger and cargo businesses are expected to remain under pressure, while the price of jet fuel continues to be at a historical high," it added.

"The depreciation of revenue-generating currencies against the Singapore dollar poses yet another challenge."

Fuel expenses totalled S$1.5 billion during the quarter, accounting for more than 38 per cent of revenues.

SIA said its non-operating gains were dented by S$20 million in fines for its subsidiary SIA Cargo in relation to civil penalty proceedings "in respect of competition law matters in Australia and New Zealand".

The cargo arm of SIA was slapped with the fines last year after it admitted to colluding with various other airlines, including Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, to fix prices for air cargo.

SIA -- widely regarded as a bellwether for full-service airlines -- has implemented a series of cost-cutting measures amid a global industry slowdown.

In the latest measure, the airline asked 76 foreign pilots to leave by June 30 before the expiry of their employment contracts.

It had earlier called for captains and first officers to volunteer for unpaid leave and has also frozen its intake of cadet pilots.

- AFP/jc
source: CNA

News on SIA in TODAY.


https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/154884_10151450891362040_1769113476_n.jpg

source: TODAY
 
#581 ·
Source:http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/1252948/1/.html
Possible SIA revamp on the cards
By Yvonne Chan | Posted: 07 February 2013 2353 hrs

SINGAPORE: As the aviation industry continues to be plagued by rising fuel costs and weakness in the global economy, Singapore Airlines has seen its profits being squeezed as more travellers turn to cheaper alternatives.

The airline, which is Asia's second largest by market capitalisation, cautioned on Thursday that loads and yields for its passenger and cargo businesses are expected to remain under pressure.

In an effort to further slash costs, SIA has also recently reduced its cockpit crew.

Competition from gulf carriers and budget airlines has significantly affected the profits of legacy carriers. With costs of jet fuel set to rise even further, analysts say it is imperative for legacy carriers such as SIA to revamp itself, either with new product offerings or new destinations.

"SIA has always done exceptionally well with its offering of premium products... But perhaps it's time for them to re-look the premium economy segment... which is an area where many other competitors are looking at," said Shukor Yusof, an aviation analyst with Standard & Poor's.

"If they were to come up with something that would entice passengers that are currently flying low cost carriers and if they can manage the fares in a way that would attract large numbers on board, then it would work," he said.

Besides SilkAir, SIA has also started its long-haul low-cost offshoot Scoot, in an attempt to glean some profits from the low cost carrier segment.

However some believe SIA should continue to pump money to protect its premium seats segment.

"Their premium sector is what holds them up. They've high yielding passengers and if they try to reduce that, they will lose them to other premium carriers like Cathay, Qantas, (or) Emirates," said Shashank Nigam, CEO of Simpliflying.

"Singapore airlines, while they're part of Star Alliance, they're not very close to their members so certainly after having sold (their) Virgin Atlantic stake, they should be looking at other partnerships to enhance passenger experience," he added.

Besides teaming up with Emirates, competitor Qantas has also announced its intention to form stronger links to the key hubs of Singapore and Hong Kong, paving the way for more head-on competition with SIA.

Analysts say some of these enhancements should include more technology updates to appeal to the well-connected traveller.

- CNA/jc
 
Top