Category Archives: Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines finalizes its order for 30 additional Airbus A350-900s

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has finalized its order for 30 additional Airbus A350-900s, plus options for a further 20 aircraft. The agreement firms up a commitment announced last month. Under the terms of the agreement, Singapore Airlines will be able to select either the baseline A350-900 or the larger A350-1000 when exercising the options.

This is the third order from Singapore Airlines for the A350-900. The deal sees the carrier’s total firm orders for the all-new aircraft increase to 70, plus 20 options. Singapore Airlines will operate the A350-900 on long haul and regional services.

Image: Airbus.

Singapore Airlines:

Boeing launches the 787-10, ALC, GECAS, IAG-British Airways, Singapore Airlines and United Airlines place orders

Boeing (Chicago) announced today at the 2013 Paris Airshow that it has launched the 787-10 Dreamliner, the third member of the super-efficient 787 family. Commitments for 102 airplanes from five customers across Europe, Asia and North America provide a strong foundation to support development and production of the newest Dreamliner.

Customer launch commitments for the 787-10 include Air Lease Corporation, with 30 airplanes; GE Capital Aviation Services, with 10; International Airlines Group / British Airways, with 12 subject to shareholder approval; Singapore Airlines, with 30 and United Airlines, with 20 airplanes.

The new 787-10 will fly up to 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 km) — covering more than 90 percent of the world’s twin-aisle routes — with seating for 300-330 passengers, depending on an airline’s configuration choices. The second member of the family, the 787-9, is in final assembly in Everett, Wash., and is set to make its first flight later this year.

“The 787-10 Dreamliner will be the most-efficient jetliner in history. The airplane’s operating economics are unmatched and it has all the incredible passenger-pleasing features that set the 787 family apart as truly special,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “The 787-10 is 25 percent more efficient than airplanes of its size today and more than 10 percent better than anything being offered by the competition for the future.”

Design of the 787-10 has already started at Boeing, and international partners will be involved in detailed design in the months ahead. Final assembly and flight test of the 787-10 are set to begin in 2017, with first delivery targeted for 2018.

“Our ongoing investment in the 787 family is well-founded,” said Conner. “With the 787-10, we’ve designed an exceptional airplane supported by an efficient and integrated production system that can meet increasing demands and create new opportunities for us. Our team and our customers are excited about growing the product line and expanding our presence with this family of airplanes.”

The 787 family’s unique interior offers passengers technologies that make their flights more enjoyable, including large, dimmable windows; cleaner air; higher humidity; lower cabin altitude; bigger stowage bins; soothing LED lighting and a smoother ride. The 787-10 will share a common type rating not only with the 787-8 and 787-9 but also with the popular Boeing 777, giving airlines additional flexibility in scheduling and training flight crews.

United Airlines issued this statement:

United Airlines today increased its 787 Dreamliner order to 65 aircraft (including six previously delivered aircraft) with an order for 20 787-10s.United is the North American launch customer for the 787-10 and it expects delivery of its first aircraft in 2018. United ordered 10 incremental 787-10 aircraft and will convert 10 existing 787s on order to 787-10s, enabling the airline to further modernize its international widebody fleet by replacing older, less efficient aircraft. The advanced technology and composite construction of the 787 reduce fuel burn and carbon emissions, while providing a superior customer experience.

United is currently the only U.S. airline to operate the 787. United has six new 787-8 aircraft in service and had previous orders for an additional 49 Dreamliners consisting of both the -8 and -9 variants. The 787-10 is a stretched version of the 787-9 and will offer the lowest fuel burn per seat of any aircraft in its size category. The 787 offers up to 20 percent better fuel efficiency per seat than similarly sized aircraft, due in part to the more than 50 percent composite makeup of its structure. The 787 also boasts an enhanced inflight experience including larger windows, larger overhead bins and lower cabin altitude with enhanced ventilation systems that reduce the effects of jet lag.

The 787-10 order is the latest in United’s commitment to improve the efficiency of its fleet. In July of last year, United announced a narrowbody order for 100 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and 50 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft. In addition, United has an order for 25 Airbus A350 aircraft. The airline is also modernizing its United Express fleet by adding 70 76-seat Embraer aircraft that will be operated by United Express regional partners.

Images: Boeing.

Singapore Airlines orders 30 Airbus A350-900s and 30 stretch Boeing 787s

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has placed a firm order with both Airbus and a tentative order with Boeing according to Reuters. The airline has ordered 30 additional Airbus A350-900s. Some of the A350-900s can be converted to the larger A350-1000s. Additionally Singapore has tentatively placed an order for 30 stretched Boeing 787s. Boeing has not yet made a decision to launch this new variant.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Image: Airbus.

Singapore Airlines:

Singapore Airlines firms up an order for five Airbus A380s and 20 A350-900s

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has firmed up an order for five additional A380s and 20 A350-900s. The deal was completed in 2012 and follows an agreement in October 2012.

Singapore Airlines has placed three consecutive orders for the A380, making it the second largest customer of the A380, and now has 19 aircraft in service. In the mid-size category, the new A350 XWB order sees the airline double its backlog for the all-new aircraft to 40. The A350-900s will be used by the airline on both medium and long haul routes.

Singapore Airlines:

Delta Air Lines is in talks to purchase Singapore Airlines’ 49% share of Virgin Atlantic Airways

Delta Air Lines (Atlanta) is reportedly in discussions with Singapore Airlines (Singapore) to acquire their 49 percent share in Virgin Atlantic Airways (London). If successful, Delta’s European partners, namely Air France-KLM, could then buy some of Sir Richard Branson’s shares to take control of the UK company according to this report by the Financial Times.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. If completed, it would be a bold move by SkyTeam to further increase its presence at slot-controlled Heathrow Airport in London against the Oneworld alliance. Boeing 737-832 N3755D (msn 29627) climbs away from Los Angeles International Airport.

Delta Air Lines:

Virgin Atlantic Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough. Is the Virgin Atlantic brand in danger of becoming history? Boeing 747-41R G-VROC (msn 32746) arrives at New York (JFK) in the updated 2010 motif.

Singapore Airlines to conduct an Airbus A380 delivery flight contest

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has launched a contest for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be on the delivery flight of SIA’s 19^th Airbus A380 from Toulouse, France in early September.

The winner of the lucky draw and a guest of his or her choosing will be flown to Airbus’ headquarters in Toulouse from any point in the SIA network. In Toulouse, the pair will enjoy two nights’ accommodation, a half-day tour of the city, and dinners hosted by SIA and Airbus. They will also be treated to an exclusive tour of Airbus’ production center, before boarding the super jumbo aircraft for its delivery flight to Singapore.

Being on a delivery flight is a unique experience usually restricted to a small number of cabin and technical crew, as well as a handful of other SIA staff involved in accepting the aircraft. The operational nature of the flight means service is limited, but its exclusive nature offers a sneak peek into the real workings of the airline industry.

To qualify for the draw, contestants are required to own a passport on SIAJourneys.com. Those who currently do not have an existing passport may create one on the microsite. The contest ends on August 28, 2012 and the winner will be chosen from those with valid passports. More details are available on SIAJourneys.com.

Singapore Airlines currently operates 18 A380s and was the first to operate the world’s largest commercial aircraft in October 2007. The Airline’s 19^th A380 (9V-SKT) is due for delivery on September 6, 2012.

SIA was the “First to Fly” the A380 in 2007, with an inaugural flight to Sydney on October 25, 2007. Today, the airline operates the super jumbo to ten destinations across its network, including Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York (JFK), London (Heathrow), Paris (CDG), Zurich, and Frankfurt.

In other news, Singapore will inaugurate Singapore-Munich-Manchester service with Boeing 777-300 ERs on October 28, 2012.

Singapore Airlines Slide Show:

Frameable Color Prints and Posters:

SAS and Singapore Airlines sign a joint venture agreement

Scandinavian Airlines-SAS‘ (Stockholm) and Singapore Airlines‘ (Singapore) CEOs, Rickard Gustafson and Goh Choon Phong, today (May 11) signed a joint venture agreement in Singapore. This follows the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed in January and covers routes between Scandinavia and Singapore.

With a signed joint venture agreement, the Star Alliance carriers can now move forward to plan further business opportunities within the partnership, such as the co-ordination of flight schedules and joint sales activities, all of which is subject to regulatory approval. Regulatory approval will now be sought from authorities in Singapore and Europe.

The partnership is expected to lead to growth in existing air services between Singapore and Scandinavia, and, subject to market conditions at the appropriate time, pave the way for a new route between Singapore and Stockholm. Singapore Airlines currently operates three weekly flights between Copenhagen and Singapore in a code-share partnership with SAS.

Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough.

SAS Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Singapore Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing.

Singapore Airlines’ fiscal year operating profit declines by 77% to $228.8 million (US)

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) reported on its financial performance for the past 12 months, its fiscal year. The group reported its operating profit declined by 77 percent to $228.8 million (US). The group issued this report (all amounts below in Singapore dollars):

GROUP FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Financial Year 2011-12

High fuel prices and an uncertain global economy weighed heavily on the Group’s earnings in the 2011-12 financial year, pushing net profit down by $756 million or 69% to $336 million.

Against these challenges, Group revenue grew by $333 million (+2%) to $14,858 million, on the back of a 3.6% improvement in passenger carriage, partially offset by weaker yields.

Expenditure, however, rose at a faster pace. Jet fuel prices remained high throughout the year, resulting in a 32% spike year-on-year in average jet fuel prices to USD133 per barrel. This translated to a 29% (+$1,314 million) increase in fuel cost before hedging, which contributed to the 10% (+$1,318 million) rise in Group expenditure.

Consequently, the Group’s operating profit fell $985 million (-77%) to $286 million.

Singapore Slide Show: CLICK HERE

Singapore Airlines to retire the Boeing 747 with two special flights on April 6

Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-412 9V-SPQ (msn 28025) LHR (Antony J. Best), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has announced it will operate special commemorative flights between Singapore and Hong Kong on April 6, 2012 to mark the retirement of the Boeing 747 after nearly four decades of service.

Flight SQ 747 from Singapore to Hong Kong and SQ 748 from Hong Kong to Singapore will be operated with this Boeing 747-400 (9V-SPQ), replacing existing flights SQ 860 and SQ 863, which are normally operated with Airbus A330-300s.

The special flights, which will be SIA’s last commercial passenger services with the Boeing 747, are now open for sale. In addition to more than 300 commercial passengers, on board will be employees who have worked on the aircraft throughout its storied history, as well as a group of underprivileged children and media.

The commemorative flights will have an extended flying time of one hour to enable those on board to be treated to a unique inflight experience. This will include specially crafted meal services and inflight entertainment. Customers will also receive limited edition Boeing 747 memorabilia.

First Class customers will be provided an additional experience – an exclusive tour of the Airline’s cabin crew training facilities and Boeing 747-400 flight simulator in Singapore.

A dedicated website has been set up to commemorate the jumbo’s retirement, at http://www.SIAjourneys.com, featuring milestones and records set over the years, historical photographs and video footage, including interviews with staff and customers. Information about fares for flights SQ 747 and SQ 748 can also be found on the website.

Top Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best.

Singapore Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE

Worldwide routes operated by Singapore Boeing 747s:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Christian Volpati. Please click on the photo for additional details.

QANTAS grounds one A380 with 36 wing cracks, Singapore makes repairs to 8 A380s

QANTAS Airways Airbus A380-841 VH-OQA (msn 014) SYD (John Adlard), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

QANTAS Airways (Sydney) as previously reported, has already grounded one Airbus A380 and repaired 36 wing cracks due to turbulence. Meanwhile Singapore Airlines (Singapore) has repaired wings cracks on eight Airbus A380s according to this article by Reuters. QANTAS, Singapore and Korean Air are performing wing inspections earlier than planned.

European Air Safety Agency (EASA) has stated the A380 wing defects could pose a safety risk if not repaired.

Read the full article: CLICK HERE

QANTAS Photo Gallery: CLICK HERE