Venkat Raman
While Singapore Airlines scored a global first when the new Boeing 787-10 aircraft touched down at the Changi International Airport on March 27, 2018, the carrier continues to maintain its lead as the largest customer for Boeing.
The Airlines’ Sydney based Regional Vice-President Philip Goh said that delivery of new Boeing 787 series and Boeing 777-9 aircraft will be completed by 2029.
Longest Flight
He said that Singapore Airlines will operate the world’s longest, non-stop flight between Singapore and New York using its new Airbus A350-900 ULR by the end of the year.
“The 20 hours of non-stop flight will be followed by another non-stop flight between Singapore and Los Angeles,” he said addressing a breakfast meeting for the media on May 29, 2018 at Sofitel Hotel in Auckland’s Viaduct.
“As a customer-focused airline, our target is growth in three main areas- capacity, fleet and frequency. New Zealand is an important market with potential for further growth,” he said.
Robust Financial Performance
Mr Goh’s confidence came on the heels of the airline’s impressive performance for the year ended March 31, 2018, which was announced in Singapore on May 18.
The Singapore Airlines Group posted operating profit of more than US$ 1 billion, with net profit of US$ 893 million, an increase of US$ 533 million (148.1%) over the previous year.
The airline noted that its outlook for travel demand remains robust but fuel prices and tough competition would be challenging.
Services to Christchurch
New Zealand General Manager Simon Turcotte said that Singapore Airlines will increase its services to Christchurch over the next peak summer season, starting on November 28, 2018 and ending on February 9, 2018.
“Singapore Airlines has been flying to Christchurch for more than 30 years and we remain more committed than ever to Christchurch and the South Island. These additional flights will add more than 15,000 additional seats between the two cities and provide Kiwis with more travel options over the peak summer travel period, so that they can set-off and explore our global network of more than 135 destinations available via our Singapore hub,” he said.
The Wellington Service
The Airlines has also launched its service from Wellington to Singapore via Melbourne, after its flight via Canberra ended.
The new service (SQ247) arrives from Singapore via Melbourne at 1220 pm, and leave Wellington as SQ248 at 145 pm and arrive in Singapore (after a stopover in Melbourne) at 1045 pm (local time).
Mr Turcotte described the change in operations as “an exciting next step in Singapore Airlines history of connecting Wellington to the world.”
“The new late night arrival into Singapore will deliver our customers better connections to Europe and India, which is where they have told us they want to travel. We are already seeing customers taking advantage of the shorter connection times to two of our most popular destinations, London and Delhi, which reinforces our decision to change the timing and routing of the operation,” he said.
Next General Business Class
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the airline’s connectivity between Singapore and Christchurch will occur on January 7, 2019 when its new Airbus A350-900 is deployed.
Mr Turcotte said that the new aircraft will allow customers opportunities to experience the airlines’ Next Generation Business and Economy class seats as well as Premium Economy Class on this route for the first time.
Book the Cook
The airline introduced ‘Book the Cook,’ on October 30, 2017 tantalising the taste buds of Singapore Airlines passengers at 35,000 feet.
Auckland was the first New Zealand destination to introduce the facility, joining Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth as Book the Cook destinations within Singapore Airlines South West Pacific Region.
‘Book the Cook’ provides Suites, First, Business and Premium Economy Class customers with the opportunity to pre-select a main meal from a wide selection of delicious options, many of which feature locally sourced New Zealand produce.
Orders can be placed online at www.singaporeair.com, through travel agents or Singapore Airlines reservations on 0800- 808909 at least 48 hours before the flight departure time. For further information on menu options and destinations, please visit www.singaporeair.com/btc
Mr Turcotte said that the future was bright for Singapore Airlines and its passengers.
New Zealand market promising
“We commenced operations into New Zealand 42 years ago with two flights a week. Today, we operate 25 flights a week, including 14 flights to Auckland, seven flights to Christchurch and four flights to Wellington. We will continue to connect Asia with the rest of the world through out network including Singapore, SilkAir and Scoot,” he said.
Our Sponsor
Singapore Airlines is the Sponsor of the ‘Business Excellence in Innovation’ Category of the Eleventh Annual Indian Newslink Indian Business Awards 2018. The Awards Ceremony will be held on Monday, November 26, 2018 from 5 pm at Sky City Convention Centre, Auckland City. Further details will be published in due course. Entries, now open, will close on August 31, 2018. For more details and to download forms, please visit www.inliba.com
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- Business Class on Boeing 787-10
- Airbus A350 will commence operations into Christchurch from January 7, 2019
(Images Supplied)
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