SilkAir to boost Singapore Airlines' services to Male

Source: SilkAir. Male. From 25 October 2015, SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will begin four times weekly services to Male. Previously, Singapore Airlines offered a variable frequency of 10 to 14 flights a week to the capital of the Maldives. Now, together with SilkAir’s new services, both airlines will offer a total of two round-trip services a day, subject to regulatory approval. Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President Marketing Planning Lee Wen Fen said: “By synergising the networks of both carriers, we are able to provide customers more choice and greater flexibility when planning their travel itineraries. This is another example of the Singapore Airlines Group’s commitment to continuously expanding our combined network and enhancing connectivity options for our customers.” SilkAir’s Chief Executive Leslie Thng, said: “The Maldives is a popular travel destination offering great beauty both above and below the water, with its stunning white sand beaches and equally beautiful underwater world. We are glad to be able to join Singapore Airlines to bring travellers from around the world to this picturesque island destination.” Details of flight numbers and schedules for services between Singapore and Male from October 25 are as follows (timings listed are local): Singapore (SIN) to Male (MLE) Flights Flight Days of Operation Departure Arrival SQ452 Daily SIN 2035hrs* MLE 2210hrs Operated by Singapore Airlines MI482 Mon Tue Wed Thu SIN 1005hrs MLE 1140hrs Operated by SilkAir SQ462 Fri Sat Sun SIN1005hrs MLE1140hrs Operated by Singapore Airlines *SQ452 timings from 25Oct15 to 20Nov15: SIN 2020hr MLE 2210hr Male (MLE) to Singapore (SIN) Flights Flight Days of Operation Departure Arrival SQ451 Daily MLE 2325hrs SIN 0715hrs (+1) Operated by Singapore Airlines MI481 Mon Tue Wed Thu MLE 1255hrs SIN 2045hrs Operated by SilkAir SQ461 Fri Sat Sun MLE 1255hrs SIN2045hrs Operated by Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines, SilkAir lowers fuel surcharges

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, have cut fuel charges in response to falling fuel prices.

The new fuel surcharge levels shown below will apply to Singapore Airlines and SilkAir flights. They represent a decrease of between US$5 and US$83 per sector, depending on the distance and class of travel.

Route Per Ticketed Sector	Surcharge in US$
	First Class, Suites	Business Class	Premium Economy, Economy Class
Between Singapore and South East Asian gateways[1]	50	45	31
Between Singapore and Europe/South Africa[2]	175	165	151
Between Singapore and Americas	235	225	215
Between Europe and Australia/New Zealand[3]	265	250	229
All other flights[4]	131	116	103

 * Figures in US Dollars, converted into currency of sale at time of ticketing

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[1] Includes flights between Germany and the United Kingdom, and between the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

[2] Includes flights between North America and Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo, Frankfurt and Moscow, as well as between Barcelona and Sao Paulo.

[3] Applicable to transfer flights (not involving stopovers) via Singapore only.

[4] Includes flights between Singapore and cities in Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, India, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

The application of fuel surcharges may however be subject to regulatory approval or variation in some markets, the airlines said.

SilkAir to start flying to Cairns in Australia in May 2015

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will commence direct flights between Singapore and Cairns, in Queensland Australia, on 30 May 2015, subject to regulatory approvals. Cairns will be the airline’s second Australian destination after Darwin, which was launched in March 2012. 

SilkAir plans to operate the Cairns service three times weekly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays, through circular routings with Darwin. The inaugural flight and subsequent Saturday flights will depart Singapore for Cairns non-stop and then return to Singapore via Darwin. The Monday and Thursday flights will fly to Cairns via Darwin and then return to Singapore non-stop. 

The detailed schedules are as follows (all times stated are local):

From Singapore:

Flight	Days of Operation	Departure	Arrival
MI822	Monday, Thursday	Singapore 0140	Cairns 1150 (via Darwin)
MI828	Saturday	Singapore 0140	Cairns 1020

To Singapore:

Flight	Days of Operation	Departure	Arrival
MI822	Monday, Thursday	Cairns 1240	Singapore 1720
MI828	Saturday	Cairns 1110	Singapore 1720 (via Darwin)

With the launch of Cairns, the number of destinations in SilkAir’s route network will increase to 49 destinations in 12 countries.

The new services will be operated with SilkAir’s latest Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring both Business and Economy class cabins. Customers will be provided with the full service experience, including in-flight meals, baggage allowance of 40kg and 30kg for Business and Economy class respectively, as well as through check-in if they are connecting to or from another SilkAir or Singapore Airlines point via Singapore.

SilkAir’s Chief Executive, Leslie Thng, said: “With the launch of Cairns, we, together with our parent company Singapore Airlines, will soon serve a total of seven points in Australia, namely Cairns, Darwin, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

Cairns is the hub of Tropical North Queensland and has the closest access to the Great Barrier Reef, which is the world’s largest World Heritage Area.

Queensland’s Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, has praised SilkAir for its confidence in Queensland’s tourism sector.

“The Queensland Government looks forward to working in partnership with SilkAir to deliver international marketing activities over the next three years to support this highly anticipated service,” she said.

"Connectivity between Singapore and Cairns will make it even easier for international visitors to reach our holiday destination,” Cairns Airport's Chief Executive Officer Kevin Brown added. "This route will provide vital links through to Cairns from Asia and Europe.”

Customers are advised to note that the new flights may not be immediately available in computer reservations systems due to the lead-time required in making system updates. For more information on SilkAir, including its destinations and services, please visit silkair.com.

SilkAir adds a daily Singapore-Bali flight

From 12 December 2014, SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will begin a daily service to Denpasar, Indonesia, subject to regulatory approval.

Singapore Airlines’ Senior Vice President, Marketing Planning Lee Wen Fen said: “The increase in the number of flights reflects Singapore Airlines Group commitment in expanding our service offerings and providing our customers with more choices and convenience. Through synergising the networks of both airlines, we are able to enhance the connectivity options available to our customers through our combined network of 99 cities in 35 countries.”

Details of flight numbers and flight schedules for services between Singapore and Denpasar are as follows, with all timings listed being local:

Flight no., frequency	Departing Singapore	Arriving Denpasar
MI176, daily	0650	0935
SQ938, daily	0820	1105
SQ942, daily	0920	1205
SQ946, daily	1625	1910
SQ948, daily	1805	2050

Flight no., frequency	Departing Denpasar	Arriving Singapore
MI175, daily	1030	1305
SQ939, daily	1155	1430
SQ943, daily	1300	1535
SQ947, daily	2005	2240
SQ949, daily	2145	0020  (next day)

Retail promotion for Singapore Airlines, SilkAir passengers extended at Changi

The Changi Airport Group (CAG) is extending the Changi Transit Programme to 31 March 2015 to promote Changi Airport as a transfer hub. 

Source: Changi Airport Group. Changi Airport.

Passengers travelling on Singapore Airlines or SilkAir flights can continue to redeem up to S$40 in Changi Dollar Vouchers for use during their time at the airport. 

 Launched in October 2012, more than one million passengers have enjoyed the programme to date, with travellers from the key transfer markets – Australia, China, India and Indonesia – topping the list of voucher recipients.

India gets a new airline: Vistara

Tata SIA Airlines Limited (TSAL) announced August 11 that the brand name of its new airline will be 'Vistara'. The news follows an MoU in September 2013 between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines to establish a new airline in India that will help further stimulate demand for air travel.

Source: Twitter. The Vistara logo was unveiled on Twitter and Facebook.

The name Vistara is derived from the Sanskrit word ‘vistaar’, which means ‘limitless expanse’, and draws inspiration from the brand’s domain - the ‘limitless’ sky. The logo is derived from a ‘yantra’, a perfect mathematical form that reflects the unbounded universe. Its interconnecting lines reflect the seamless experience the airline wants to offer its customers. The eight-pointed star at the centre of the logo reflects the high standards Vistara is committed to the excellence that will be a hallmark of the airline.

Vistara is expected to start operations in October 2014 with the mandate to ensure quality in every aspect of customer engagement. Headquartered in Delhi, India, Vistara will take delivery of its first plane, an Airbus A320-200, in September and plans to increase its fleet to 20 aircraft, including A320neos, by the end of the fifth year of operation.

Source: Tata Sons.

Prasad Menon, Chairman, TSAL, said, "Vistara will redefine the way we travel in India. I can confidently say that Tata's and SIA's legendary hospitality standards and service excellence will make Vistara a natural choice for passengers."

Phee Teik Yeoh, CEO, TSAL, said, "We aim to deliver a seamless experience via personalisation of services for guests who travel with us. Our core belief is that we will be intuitively thoughtful about our guests' needs from the time they contact us to the time they leave the airport. Whether they are leisure or business travellers, we would like to make a significant difference at every stage of their air travel experience, and truly bring back the joy of flying."

Source: Facebook. The uniform is designed by Abraham & Thakore, and meant to capture the spirit of Vistara – elegant, practical and embodying the best of the Indian tradition. Initial comments on Facebook were that saris would have been more traditional.

Commenting on the significance of Singapore Airlines (SIA) operating in India along with Tata, Swee Wah Mak, Director, TSAL, and Executive Vice-President Commercial, SIA, said, “From a global investor’s perspective the Indian aviation sector has a lot of potential for growth and I am delighted that SIA now has a fruitful role to play here. SIA’s world renowned tradition of service excellence will contribute to the creation of the finest flying experience in the Indian skies through Vistara.”

Singapore Airlines extends reach into US through Asiana codeshare agreement

Singapore Airlines has expanded a codeshare agreement with Asiana Airlines which expands its reach beyond Seoul’s Incheon International Airport to Honolulu, Seattle and Los Angeles.

The Star Alliance partners have been codesharing since September 2005 on flights between Singapore and Seoul-Incheon. Singapore Airlines currently operates four daily flights on the route, one of which continues to San Francisco, while Asiana operates daily flights.

Asiana also codeshares on Singapore Airlines-operated flights beyond Singapore to Jakarta in Indonesia, Perth in Australia, Auckland in New Zealand and Cape Town in South Africa.

Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Jetstar advise on flight bookings and cancellations for Thailand

Sign at Singapore Airlines counter, Changi Airport

Singapore Airlines is operating its flights to and from Bangkok as scheduled, but advises passengers to be prepared for traffic jams in the city due to road closures or additional security checks.

"Customers are advised to make arrangements to head to the airport at least four hours prior to departure and where possible to use the airport rail link," noted the 23 May alert on its website.

The airline said it will waive administrative fees and penalties for refunds, re-booking or re-routing, for customers holding confirmed tickets issued on or before 19 May 2014, for travel to and from Bangkok, on or before 31 May 2014. This also applies to redemption tickets.

Budget airline Scoot, which is owned by Singapore Airlines, is also operating flights to and from Bangkok as scheduled.

The company will allow passengers who have made bookings before 23 May 2014 for travel on Scoot to/ from Bangkok up to and including 31 May 2014 to re-book or re-rout flights free of charge, subject to payment of any fare differences.

Jetstar plane at Changi Airport, Singapore.

Another budget airline, Jetstar, is also operating flights to Thailand as usual but said there are "options available" to passengers holding a valid ticket issued on or before 23 May 2014 for travel to/from Thailand who wish to re-book or re-route for travel up to and including 31 May 2014. A fare difference will apply.