Tag Archives: 082

Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand agree to form an alliance, Singapore to operate its Airbus A380s to New Zealand

Singapore Airlines (Singapore) and Air New Zealand (Auckland) have agreed to form an alliance enabling Air New Zealand to fly the Auckland-Singapore route again and Singapore Airlines to operate the Airbus A380 to New Zealand for the first time.

The A380 would be operated daily by Singapore Airlines between Singapore and Auckland, progressively replacing an existing daily service with the smaller Boeing 777-300 ER. Air New Zealand would launch daily services between Auckland and Singapore using newly refitted Boeing 777-200 ER aircraft, taking over five flights currently operated by Singapore Airlines and adding two more weekly flights, increasing the frequency to daily.

Subject to regulatory approvals, the carriers would aim to boost their existing capacity between Singapore and New Zealand by up to 30% year round over time.

Singapore Airlines’ daily Singapore-Christchurch service would continue as part of the alliance.

The proposed alliance would enable Air New Zealand passengers to access codeshare travel on the Singapore Airlines network to the United Kingdom, Europe, South East Asia and Africa, as well as on the network of its regional subsidiary airline, SilkAir. Singapore Airlines’ customers would be able to access codeshare travel across the Air New Zealand domestic network and to selected international destinations.

The alliance would see Air New Zealand’s ‘NZ’ code return to Singapore Airlines’ network for the first time since 2007. Air New Zealand last operated to Singapore in 2006.

The parties are seeking approval for the alliance from the Competition Commission of Singapore and the New Zealand Minister of Transport.  Pending approval, flights could commence as early as December 2014.

Top Copyright Photo: Andi Hiltl/AirlinersGallery.com. Singapore Airlines’ Airbus A380-841 9V-SKR (msn 082) gracefully climbs away from the runway at Zurich.

Singapore Airlines: AG Slide Show

Air New Zealand: AG Slide Show

Bottom Copyright Photo: Antony J. Best/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 777-219 ER ZK-OKA (msn 29404) arrives at London (Heathrow).

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 19th 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 19th 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.

Copyright Photo: Rolf Wallner. Airbus A380-841 9V-SKR (msn 082) taxies across the tarmac at Zurich.

Singapore Airlines Slide Show: 

Frameable Color Prints and Posters: