Scoot moves to take over Jetstar Asia routes

Singapore Airlines’ budget subsidiary, Scoot will take over some routes currently run by soon-to-close airline Jetstar Asia.

Jetstar Asia, based at Changi Airport, is set to close down on July 31, due to high airport fees and fierce competition.

Scoot will launch new routes from Singapore to Okinawa, Japan and Labuan Bajo in Indonesia, Scoot said.

Both routes were exclusive to Jetstar Asia.

Main carrier Singapore Airlines will increase capacity on other Jetstar Asia routes, news hub Travel Mole reported. 

These include to Manila, Colombo and Jakarta.

Full details of expanded schedules will be announced subject to approvals.

Scoot has also said it will look to fast track applications of Jetstar Asia staff for available jobs within SIA Group.

Major airlines continue to fly high

Two of the world's major airlines are thriving in difficult economic times with Etihad and Singapore Airlines this week reporting impressive profits.

Middle East-based Etihad Airways posted its best-ever profit for the full year 2024.

It achieved a record AED 1.7 billion ($476 US million) profit.

That marked a third consecutive year of profitability and a tripling of profit from 2023, news portal Travel Mole reported.

The airline saw growth across all metrics and achieved operational efficiency improvements.

Etihad carried 18.5 million passengers in 2024, a 32% increase.

In 2024, the airline expanded its operations to over 1,700 weekly flights and increased frequencies on 25 routes over the past two years.

It also launched more than 20 new destinations, including Boston, Jaipur, Bali, and Nairobi.

“Looking ahead, I am confident we will continue to be a financially strong airline contributing to the long-term prosperity and success of the UAE," said CEO Antonoaldo Neves.

Singapore Airlines Group (SIA), meanwhile, posted 3.3% growth in the quarter to December 31, lifting operating profit to $629 US million.

This is the highest quarterly revenue on record passenger carriage, despite declining yields due to stiffer competition.

Group revenue was a record $5.2 billion for the three months, up $137 million.

Sydney's second international airport just two years from opening

Western Sydney International Airport is just two years away from being fully operational.

WSI, also known as Nancy-Bird Walton Airport, expects to be open for domestic, international and air cargo services in the second half of 2026.

The 24-hour airport has also confirmed its first international airline, with Singapore Airlines (SIA), confirming its intention to operate out of the new facility.

The new strategic partnership between WSI and the Skytrax certified 5-Star Airline, comes as commercial discussions about the airline’s future operations at Australia’s first greenfield airport in more than 50 years, continue.

Airport CEO Simon Hickey said at the arrangement between WSI and the Skytrax certified 5-Star airline was recognition of the airport’s unique scheduling opportunities that airlines, like SIA, will be able to harness into the future.

“This inaugural international airline arrangement is a fantastic milestone for Western Sydney International Airport and reflects the positive response we’ve had from airlines, especially in regard to the unprecedented opportunities our 24-hour capability unlocks,” he said.

“Western Sydney International Airport’s late-night departure capacity, for instance, could allow Singapore Airlines’ business travellers to finish a full day’s work in Sydney, take an overnight flight and arrive in Singapore before their first morning meeting the very next day.

“Late-night departures could also allow passengers to transit more swiftly from Singapore through their award-winning Changi Airport hub to connect to one of the 125 destinations served by the Singapore Airlines Group.”

Hickey said Western Sydney International Airport was focused on delivering a smooth and simple experience for its customers, underpinned by the latest technology, which was another major drawcard for Singapore Airlines.

“Our combined international and domestic terminal will give Singapore Airlines customers a seamless transfer experience, while our state-of-the-art baggage system and efficient design, including five-minute taxi times on the tarmac, means passengers will be able to get on their flight faster and relax and enjoy the award-winning service on board,” he said.

Based a region that is home to more than 150 different nationalities, the new airport will also unlock new opportunities for the region’s residents who often visit family or friends overseas. There have been media reports that Turkish Airlines is also considering a deal.

“With the airport build now more than 80% progressed - including the recent completion of our terminal roof - and this step forward to advance international airline negotiations, our diverse communities can really get a sense of their future airport, and the experience they’ll have flying from here in late 2026,” Hickey said.

Singapore Airlines regional vice president South West Pacific, Louis Arul, said: “This agreement reflects our commitment to enhancing network connectivity for travellers to and from Sydney, and providing additional services for Australia, which is a major market for the Singapore Airlines Group.

“This is a unique opportunity to work with a greenfield airport to set a new base line for customer experience throughout an airport ecosystem.

“We are working closely with WSI to ensure that our customers will continue to enjoy the comprehensive, end-to-end, world-class experience that is synonymous with Singapore Airlines.”

The airport is located 44km west of the Sydney CBD and 41km west of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport, which closes between 11pm-6am.
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Air NZ and Singapore Airlines to continue successful partnership

Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have reached agreement to continue what has been a hugely successful joint venture.

The two national flag carriers will work together until at least March 2029, Travelmole reported.

The agreement allows the airlines to continue offering more flight options and access to their combined networks.

Over the course of a 10-year partnership, Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines have grown the seat capacity between New Zealand and Singapore by nearly 50%.

This includes the addition of up to three daily flights between Auckland and Singapore, and a daily service between Christchurch and Singapore.

Air NZ Chief Transformation and Alliances Officer Mike Williams said: “The partnership gives New Zealanders access to the world beyond the Singapore gateway into destinations in Europe, India and south-east Asia.”

The airline joint venture partners will operate a total of four daily seasonal services between Auckland and Singapore from October 27, 2024, to March 29, 2025.

With a fourth daily seasonal service between Auckland and Singapore, the carriers will jointly operate 38 return flights weekly between New Zealand and Singapore during peak months.

This translates to more than 893,000 seats available every year.

Singapore Airlines records record profits

International air travel has bounced back in a major way post pandemic, with Singapore Airlines parent SIA Group reporting record profits this week.

Record load factors supported highest-ever half-year operating and net profits, the airline said in a statement.

But it warned that growing competition, macroeconomic uncertainties, and inflationary cost pressures pose challenges to the airline industry going forward.

SIA Group said: "robust demand for air travel continued into the northern summer travel season, led by the rebound in passenger traffic to north Asia with the full reopening of China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan".

This resulted in record half-year operating and net profits for the SIA Group.

SIA and Scoot carried 17.4 million passengers in the first six months of 2023-24, an increase of 52.3% year-on-year.

Passenger traffic grew 38% from a year before.

Individually, SIA and Scoot achieved record passenger loads of 88.0% and 91.3% respectively.

Overall, the group recorded an operating airline profit of $S1.554 billion ($AU1.78 billion), $S320 million higher than a year earlier.

The group posted a net profit of $S1,441 million.

SIA also added three aircraft to its operating fleet in the second quarter: one Airbus A350-900 and two Boeing 787-10s.

The combined fleet is now 202 aircraft with another 96 aircraft on order.

The group’s passenger network now covers 119 destinations in 36 countries and territories.

"While the demand for air travel is expected to remain healthy leading up to the end of the financial year, significant capacity restoration across the industry, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, could put pressure on passenger yields," the airline said.

"The group will closely monitor market conditions and adjust its operations as necessary. The demand for air freight is expected to remain soft in the traditional peak third quarter of FY2023-24, dampened by excess inventories, geopolitical tensions, and macroeconomic headwinds".

Singapore Airlines gets even more serious about Champagne

Singapore Airlines has launched its new A Celebration of Champagne program, where customers lucky enough to fly in suites and first-class seats will enjoy a third Champagne label served alongside Singapore's signature pours of Krug Grand Cuvee and Taittinger Comtes de Champagne.

Five new Champagne labels will be offered on rotation, with each served for two months.

The program will start with a grower Champagne: Vilmart Grand Cellier d’Or 2018.

Grower Champagnes have gained a strong following in recent years.

Following the introduction of Vilmart Grand Cellier d’Or 2018 in June and July, the following champagne labels will be featured on board SIA flights:

# 2016 Cuvee Volupte, Blanc de Blancs Vintage by Champagne Geoffroy in August and September 2023

# 2018 Multi-Vintage (MV) by Champagne Henri Giraud by Charles Heidsieck in October and November 2023

# Blanc des Millenaires in December 2023 and January 2024

# Extra Brut ‘VP’ Grand Cru by Champagne Egly-Ouriet in February and March 2024

SIA has upgraded its wine choices post pandemic with 53 Burgundy labels in its selection, up from 48 before the pandemic.

Yeoh Phee Teik, Senior Vice President Customer Experience, Singapore Airlines, said: “We have gone to great lengths to source and select these Champagnes from artisanal growers and boutique vineyards, and we are excited to be able to offer them to our customers.

"These Champagnes, together with our extensive Burgundy cellar in the sky, are part of our continuous effort to enhance our in-flight wine offerings.”

For more information see www.singaporeair.com.

One major airline to unleash free wifi for all

Singapore Airlines is to offer free in-flight wifi across all cabin classes.

From 1 July its wifi offering will include all premium economy class and economy class customers, Travel Mole reports.

Free wifi will be available virtually across the entire aircraft fleet and almost the whole route network.

To use the service, customers must enter their KrisFlyer membership details at the point of booking through the manage booking online option, or when checking-in.

Non-KrisFlyer members can sign up for membership online or on board their flight via the SIA digital content portal.

Suites, first class, and business class customers already have free unlimited in-flight wifi.

Since February, KrisFlyer members in premium and economy class have received three- and two-hour wifi plans respectively.

Yeoh Phee Teik, Customer Experience senior vice-president for the airline, said: “Giving access to free unlimited wifi is yet another milestone.”

Leading Asian airlines agree to link up

Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines have joined forces to form a new strategic airline partnership.

The pair will phase in codesharing more extensively on each other’s services, Travel Mole reports.

The two carriers will also collaborate on commercial activities.

Thai and SIA will initially codeshare on flight services between Singapore and Bangkok.

Thai will also codeshare on SIA’s flight services to Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa as well as codesharing on North America flights including Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Newark.

The airline partnership will explore additional codeshare arrangements.

Goh Choon Phong, CEO, Singapore Airlines said: “This is a win-win opportunity to support the growth of our respective hubs.

"Both airlines have a loyal customer base, as well as extensive operations within south-east Asia and around the world."

Thai Airways acting CEO Suvadhana Sibunruang said "the codeshare arrangements will greatly benefit our customers in a range of service areas including [loyalty programs], customer experiences, lounge access and airport ground services.”

The agreement includes “wide-ranging commercial co-operation” the airlines said in a joint statement.

Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines link-up again

Long-time alliance partners Virgin Australia and Singapore Airlines have resumed the sale of Virgin Australia codeshare flights to destinations on Singapore Airlines’ global network.

Effective immediately, the announcement sees customers able to book directly on virginaustralia.com for onward travel between Australia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and beyond.

The move is the next step in returning the carrier’s partnership to pre-pandemic operations, following the resumption of redemption bookings and mileage/points conversion for KrisFlyer and Velocity members earlier this year, Virgin said in a statement.

Created in in 2011, the partnership allowed passengers to access a range of international and domestic destinations across both airlines’ networks.

Virgin Australia Group Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer, Alistair Hartley, said: “Singapore Airlines has been a valued partner of Virgin Australia for well over a decade and we are excited to resume the sale of codeshare flights.

“Customers are now able to search and book flights to a host of destinations, including to popular tourist destinations across Asia and beyond.

"Virgin Australia will codeshare on 42 destinations covering 23 countries on the Singapore Airlines network, including Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Seoul in South Korea, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Paris in Europe, London in the United Kingdom, and Jakarta in Indonesia, as well as Singapore Airlines’ home base."

Singapore Airlines continues to offer codeshare flights on 64 routes covering 31 destinations on Virgin Australia’s domestic and international network, including the addition of Queenstown in New Zealand.

The two carriers will continue to work closely to expand codeshare flights to more destinations across the Singapore Airlines’ network in the coming weeks, subject to regulatory approval.

Singapore Airlines signals changes are afoot

Singapore Airlines might soon be part owner of two Indian airlines: Air India and Vistara. Or maybe not.

SIA confirmed this week that "confidential discussions" are ongoing with the Tata group to merge Vistara and Air India, Travel Mole reported.

Singapore Airlines currently has a 49% joint venture stake in Vistara with Tata, while Tata owns Air India outright. Tata also has 84% ownership in AirAsia India.

The Tata Group is an Indian multinational conglomerate based in Mumbai. Established in 1868, it is India's largest company with products and services in over 150 countries

“The discussions seek to deepen the existing partnership between SIA and Tata, and may include a potential integration of Vistara and Air India,” SIA said in a filing to the Singapore Stock Exchange.

“There is no certainty or assurance whatsoever that any definitive agreement will be entered into.

“Even if a transaction were to materialise, it would be subject to the relevant regulatory approvals.”

Tata Group has long sought to integrate AirAsia India and Vistara into Air India.

Vistara began operations in 2015. It gave the SIA Group a foothold in India’s fast-growing aviation industry and it is believed it may wish to transfer it into Tata’s integrated airline business.

Singapore ready to welcome vaccinated travellers

Fully vaccinated travellers on all Singapore Airlines and Scoot flights will be granted quarantine-free entry into Singapore from April 1, without any on-arrival test or quarantine requirements.

The move follows the easing of travel protocols for entry into the Asian nation, Travel Mole reports.

This opens up the entire SIA and Scoot network to all eligible customers.

SIA and Scoot currently operate to 97 destinations in 34 countries from Singapore.

Fully vaccinated travellers are still required to take a pre-departure test and meet visa requirements.

SIA and Scoot will no longer designate specific Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) flights from April 1.

All travellers, regardless of vaccination status, will be allowed to transit through Singapore on almost all SIA and Scoot flights from April as long as they meet the entry requirements of their final destination.

“The SIA Group welcomes the latest measures to simplify travel protocols for entry into Singapore," the airline said. "This supports the goal of restoring Singapore’s position as a leading tourist destination and premier air hub."

A special tipple marks an airline milestone

Hayman’s Distillery has been commissioned to craft a special gin to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first Singapore Airlines flight to London.

The London-based family distiller has fused its London Dry Gin with Asian flavours of kumquat, lemongrass, galangal and Persian lime to create the Singapore Airlines Connoisseur Gin.

The label has been designed to reflect the gold and blue colours of Singapore Airlines, with a gold wax finish, Travel Mole reported.

James Hayman, co-owner of Hayman’s Gin, said: “As the most Internationally recognised independent London gin, we are thrilled to have collaborated with Singapore Airlines.

“It has been great fun working on this gin together and fusing the very essence of London and Singapore to create this delightful gin.” 

Hayman's has been making craft gins for over 150 years.  

The gin is available in the Singapore Airlines Silver Kris lounge at Heathrow Airport, or online for £35 at haymansgin.com.

The airline started the route with three weekly London flights in 1971.

Members of Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program will be offered the chance to purchase the gin at a discount price.