Scoot Welcomes new Embraer E190-E2 Aircraft and More Destinations

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), announced today that it will receive its third and fourth Embraer E190-E2 aircraft in Singapore in September and October 2024. The third aircraft is named Jalan-Jalan, while the fourth aircraft is named Travel Kaki.

The Barberhood Takes Off with Singapore Airlines

The Barberhood Partners with Singapore Airlines: Earn KrisFlyer Miles with Every Grooming Session!

The Barberhood is excited to announce a key partnership with Singapore Airlines through the Kris+ app, enhancing our customers' experience by offering them a new way to earn KrisFlyer miles. Starting today, every dollar spent at The Barberhood locations can bring you closer to your next holiday.

Scoot’s First E190-E2 Aircraft Touches Down in Singapore

Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), today welcomed its first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft at Singapore Changi Airport.  

Scoot inaugural to Berlin

#flyscoot

A year after Athens, Scoot launches third long-haul destination with non-stop four-times-weekly Singapore-Berlin flights

Scoot, Asia/Pacific's Best Low Cost Airline for four consecutive years and the low-cost arm of the Singapore Airlines (SIA) Group, launched its inaugural flight to Berlin today, the first of its four-times-weekly non-stop Singapore-Berlin services. The capital city of Germany is Scoot's third long-haul destination after Athens in Greece and Honolulu in the United States, both of which were launched last year.

Scoot's flight TR734 departed Singapore Changi Airport at about 12.25am local time and received a traditional water cannon salute upon arriving at Berlin Tegel Airport at approximately 7.20 am local time today. The aircraft, a widebody Boeing 787 Dreamliner named "Bo Jio", had carried 311 customers - 95% full. Customers originated from Singapore, Indonesia and Australia among other countries, and half of them comprised young adults between 18 and 35 years old. Known for its unique and fun personality, Scoot has been known to organise neon parties, band performances, and even an inflight wedding on board its flights. In line with Berlin's reputation as the party central of Europe, customers of TR734 were invited to take part in an electro dance party and exciting games with prizes.

Mr Lee Lik Hsin, Scoot's CEO, said, "With the addition of Berlin just a year after we successfully launched Athens, and then Honolulu, Scoot's low-cost long-haul network continues to grow at a steady pace. Vibrant, creative and steeped in history, we are confident that the city of Berlin will appeal to any market or demographic, and open a new and exciting part of the continent for travellers."

Scoot's spacious and comfortable state-of-the-art 787 Dreamliners offer several amenities and services suited to long-haul travel, such as inflight Wi-Fi, in-seat power and inflight ScooTV entertainment streamed to guests' own devices. Guests can also choose from a full-leather ScootBiz seat with 38" pitch, 30kg checked-in baggage, and meals and drinks included, or enjoy a peaceful journey in the ScootinSilence economy class quiet zone with seat pitches ranging from 31" up to 35".

Scoot's extensive route network currently spans 65 destinations across 18 countries and territories, with Nanchang to join next month. Its fleet of 17 787 Dreamliners and 24 Airbus A320 family aircraft, with three more Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 39 Airbus A320neo aircraft on order, is slated to increase to about 70 aircraft by 2022. With the addition of Berlin, the SIA Group network in Germany now encompasses four cities, including Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, and Munich, with a total of 29 return services a week.

Book your epic Berlin holiday now at www.FlyScoot.com or on the Scoot mobile app

Singapore Airlines' first Airbus A350-900 arrives in Singapore

Water cannon salute for Singapore Airlines' first Airbus A350-900


Singapore Airlines' first Airbus A350-900 arrived in Singapore this morning from the Airbus Delivery Centre in Toulouse.

The aircraft's arrival was celebrated in grandeur with a spectacular water cannon salute and a ceremony graced by Singapore's Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, as well as distinguished guests who had the opportunity to tour the new aircraft.

"The A350 is a key element in our overall capacity growth and fleet renewal strategy. Its improved operating efficiency offers us the opportunity to open up even more new routes, providing more travel options to our customers," Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong, said at the ceremony.

"With its arrival, Singapore Airlines is staying true to our longstanding commitment to maintain a young and modern fleet of aircraft. The A350 will ultimately enable us to help further enhance the three main pillars of the Singapore Airlines brand promise: service excellence, product leadership and network connectivity."

Singapore Airlines has 67 A350s on firm order, the first of which will go into service soon, initially on commercial services within Asia for crew training purposes. It will be deployed on long-haul services to Amsterdam from May, and Dusseldorf from July. More A350 destinations will be announced through the course of this year.



Minister receives a token of appreciation from Singapore Airlines Chairman Mr Stephen Lee

 

Lufthansa, SWISS and Singapore Airlines enter into a full partnership with a joint venture on important lines

The partnership includes many benefits, code-sharing connections, coordinated schedules and joint tariff offers. A new air link between Singapore and Dusseldorf also part of the large-scale agreement.

Lufthansa Group including its subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) signed a partnership agreement of great importance [1], based on which the two groups intend to use aerial important links between all Singapore and Europe as part of a commercial joint venture. Furthermore, flights performed codeshare will be significantly expanded and intensified trade cooperation.

Flights between Singapore and Zurich as well as the links between Singapore and Frankfurt or Munich will be performed to revenue sharing arrangements (that is to say of "revenue sharing"). The new SIA links between Singapore and Düsseldorf served from July 2016 will also be governed by such agreements.

The two main airline groups also provide for cooperation in key markets in Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia. It is thus expected to coordinate flight schedules in order to offer customers more favorable connections between the various air networks. The two groups are also considering joint tariff proposals, adapting corporate programs to enhance the offer for business customers and evaluation of optimization opportunities in the context of existing connections to loyalty programs.

The agreement covers not only Lufthansa, SWISS and SIA, since it also includes Lufthansa and Austrian Airlines subsidiary SIA subsidiary SilkAir.

The codeshare with extensive connections now enable SIA customers to arrive / leave comfortably various locations in Austria, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland by taking over twenty lines of code sharing via the "hubs" of Zurich , Frankfurt and Munich. Swiss and Lufthansa for their benefit from codeshare with SIA and its regional subsidiary SilkAir with on other routes in Southeast Asia and the Southwest Pacific. It is planned to add other destinations operated in codeshare.

A number of points of the agreement will be implemented in the coming months, so for example the new code share services. Other items whose entry into force requires the agreement of the supervisory authorities could be implemented gradually during 2016.

"A long-term partnership successful binds us to Singapore Airlines. Now we are strengthening our overall cooperation of two air groups 'premium', global lead compounds, with a new joint venture meets the expectations of the passengers of the two airlines in Europe and Southeast Asia. Together we can now offer air links and even better services to Australia, "said Carsten Spohr, chairman of Deutsche Lufthansa AG. "The partnership with Singapore Airlines completes our global network of joint ventures and is an important part of our Asian strategy. The Lufthansa Group's leading position is consolidated effectively by strategic partnerships in all major markets, "Spohr complete.

"We are delighted to have been able to develop an agreement on this major partnership. It provides the customer with significant benefits through optimized destinations and a greater number of destinations served by code-sharing. We are bound by Lufthansa long-term relationships; Lufthansa is an ideal partner with an excellent network and more the company is strongly customer oriented. The agreement signifies a deepening of relations with the Lufthansa Group as a whole and provides a solid base to exploit opportunities for commercial cooperation ", says Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines. "This is another example of the added value which the customer benefits because of partnerships. Together we can generate benefits that would be impossible to provide if we were alone, "says Goh.

Singapore Airlines’ new Premium Economy Class

SIA new Premium Economy offering

Customers travelling in Singapore Airlines’ new Premium Economy Class can look forward to a wide range of in-flight offerings including a Premium Economy Book the Cook service, champagne and curated wines, a specially-designed collector’s edition amenity kit and the world’s most advanced in-flight entertainment system.

In addition to three main courses to choose from on board, customers can select their meals before travel by opting for the Premium Economy Book the Cook service. Choices include Seafood Thermidor, Roasted Chicken in Garlic Cream Sauce, Rosemary Beef Brisket, Roasted Chicken Rice, Pork Congee with Century Egg, Spiced Chicken Nasi Biryani, Nasi Lemak with Fried Chicken, and Pancakes with Maple Syrup and Scrambled Eggs.

Customers will also be able to pair their choice of meal with a glass of Ernest Rapeneau Brut Prestige champagne, which will be available throughout the flight on all routes offering Premium Economy, or pick from a selection of curated wines.

SIA Premium Economy meal service

Complementing the specially designed new seat, which has a width of either 18.5 or 19.5 inches depending on aircraft type, with an 8-inch recline, Premium Economy Class will feature the next-generation KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines’ award-winning in-flight entertainment system. Based on hardware from Panasonic Avionics, with a customised user interface and a large selection of content, it is the world’s most advanced in-flight entertainment system. The 13.3-inch full HD monitor is also the largest in its class.

Singapore Airlines worked with renowned design company Massive Interactive to seamlessly integrate the functionality of a video touch-screen handset into the core design of a new, innovative user interface to ensure that navigating through menus and programmes is intuitive and user friendly.

Customers travelling in Premium Economy Class will also receive an amenity kit that will come in exclusive limited editions, initially featuring SG50 motifs to commemorate Singapore’s 50th birthday. The amenity kit, which consists of a toothbrush, toothpaste and a pair of anti-slip socks, is designed as a collectible item, and pouches can be clipped together.

Traveloscopy

Scoot and Tigerair Join KrisFlyer

KrisFlyer members will soon have even more options for rewards with the inclusion of Scoot and Tigerair Singapore as programme partners.

The partnerships will enable KrisFlyer members to redeem their miles for travel vouchers on Scoot and Tigerair Singapore flights, or to pay for selected products offered by the two low-cost carriers, in April 2015.

The carriers also plan to offer KrisFlyer members the option to earn KrisFlyer miles on Scoot and Tigerair Singapore by the end of this year.

“We are very pleased to be bringing Scoot and Tigerair into the KrisFlyer family and to offer our members more ways to use their miles. Scoot and Tigerair are already important parts of the SIA Group's portfolio of airlines. Including them as KrisFlyer partners is a natural development and will help us live up to our promise to constantly offer more benefits to our members,” said Singapore Airlines' Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Ms Lee Wen Fen.

Scoot CEO Campbell Wilson added: “We're thrilled to be part of the KrisFlyer programme. Having carried more than four million guests, Scoot enjoys a loyal following who will be able to further benefit from this partnership. Scoot's great destinations will also provide more options for KrisFlyer members to make use of their miles – more reason to get outta here!”

Group CEO of Tigerair, Mr Lee Lik Hsin added: “We are excited to welcome KrisFlyer members to fly with Tigerair to our wide network of destinations in Asia. Our growth over the last decade is made possible only with the support of our passengers, many of whom are frequent flyers. We are delighted to participate in the KrisFlyer programme.”

Traveloscopy | 

Singapore Airlines places US$17 Billion order for aircraft

Singapore Airlines has agreed to order 30 more Airbus A350-900s and 30 Boeing 787-10Xs in deals valued at more than US$17 billion.

The agreement with Airbus comprises 30 firm-ordered A350-900s (image attached) for delivery from the 2016/17 financial year, plus options for 20 more. The options may be converted into firm orders for larger A350-1000s.

The agreement with Boeing comprises 30 firm-ordered B787-10Xs for delivery from the 2018/19 financial year. It is conditional upon Boeing formally launching the B787-10X programme.

"Today's aircraft orders are among the biggest in Singapore Airlines' history, helping to ensure that we retain our industry leading position. They demonstrate our commitment to the Singapore hub and our confidence in the future for premium full-service travel," said Singapore Airlines CEO, Mr Goh Choon Phong.

"These new aircraft will provide opportunities to grow and renew our fleet and enhance our network; benefiting customers by offering more travel options and the latest in-flight cabin products."

Rolls-Royce's Trent XWB is the sole engine type for the A350-900. An engine selection for the B787-10Xs will be made at a later date.

The agreement with Airbus is Singapore Airlines' third for A350-900s, lifting to 70 the number of firm orders in place for the aircraft type. They are intended for use on medium and long-range routes.

The B787-10Xs are intended for use on medium-range routes.

The new orders will lift to 126 the number of firm aircraft commitments Singapore Airlines has in place with Airbus and Boeing.

About Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines is Australia's largest foreign carrier and operates 112 weekly services from the following cities:

· Adelaide - ten flights weekly operated with Airbus A330 aircraft
· Brisbane - three flights daily with Airbus A330 aircraft
· Melbourne - three flights daily with Airbus A380/Boeing 777-300 aircraft
· Perth - four flights daily with Boeing 777-200 aircraft
· Sydney - four flights daily with Airbus A380/Boeing 777-300ER/ Boeing 777-300/ Boeing 777-200 aircraft
· Darwin - four flights weekly with Airbus A320 aircraft, operated by SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines

SCOOT LAUNCHES WORLD FIRST - SCOOT-THRU WITH CHANGI CONNECTS

Scoot is the first airline in the world to offer Changi Connects, a new facilitated transfer service provided by Changi Airport Group



Scoot, Singapore's newest low cost carrier, today launched its latest product, Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects, a facilitated transfer service provided in collaboration with Changi Airport Group.

Scoot-Thru enables passengers making connecting flights at Singapore Changi Airport to continue their journey without having to pass through immigration, nor collect their checked baggage during transit. The new service is available across Scoot's 25 destinations, including joint itineraries offered in conjunction with partner airline Tiger Airways, on Flyscoot.com for travel on or after 27 November 2012.

Said Campbell Wilson, Scoot's CEO, "With the range of destinations offered at flyscoot.com expanding rapidly, Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects is a timely addition to the great value frills our guests can select. We're pleased to be working together with Changi Airport Group to provide this service so guests may Scoot across all our destinations with even greater convenience and peace of mind."

Scoot is the first airline to build upon Changi Connects, a new service provided by Changi Airport Group.

Mr Lim Ching Kiat, Senior Vice President for Market Development, CAG said, "Changi Airport is pleased to launch Changi Connects in partnership with Scoot. This new service provides transferring passengers with a hassle-free experience, allowing them more time to enjoy what Changi has to offer in terms of shopping, dining and entertainment. We welcome other low-cost carriers to leverage this service to provide an enhanced transfer experience for their connecting passengers."

For just SGD16 per person per flight connection[1] in Singapore, guests will enjoy great perks including:

·        No rush: Remain in the transit area of Singapore Changi Airport – simply proceed to the transfer desk to collect your boarding pass for the connecting flight;

·        No hassle: No need to go through Singapore immigration & customs, nor retrieve baggage and check them in again;

·        No worries: You'll be put on the next Scoot or Tiger flight, without extra charge, should the connecting flight be delayed.

For more details on Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects, please visit www.flyscoot.com.

[1] Applies for pre-bookings only. For walk-in guests at Transfer Counter E, Scoot-Thru with Changi Connects is priced at SGD20 per person per flight connection.

Scoot's new routes to bear fruit for NSW north coast

North Coast Destination Network has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Singapore's newest low-cost airline Scoot to develop visitor markets from Asia.

Scoot is a fully-owned but independently run and managed subsidiary of Singapore Airlines Limited, established in 2011 to focus on the medium-to-long haul no-frills market.  .

"The agreement is a framework to meet our shared interest in growing international visitor expenditure on the North Coast of NSW and encourage use of the direct air services of Scoot through cooperative marketing," said North Coast Destination Network international marketing spokesperson Russell Mills.

"With Scoot flying directly into Gold Coast Airport as well as Sydney International Airport, there are fabulous opportunities to promote iconic holiday destinations on the North Coast such as Byron Bay, as well as the legendary Pacific Coast touring route between Sydney and Brisbane."

Said Campbell Wilson, Scoot's CEO: "The NSW North Coast has much to offer to visitors, with places like Byron Bay, Coffs Harbour and Port Stephens offering an authentic experience of regional Australia. The area's laidback lifestyle, natural beauty, fabulous food and friendliness is a perfect match for Scoot, which seeks to offer fun, friendliness and a dash of what we call Scootitude.  With our great value airfares being marketed around Asia, and our operations direct from Singapore into both Sydney and the Gold Coast, this means it's never been more affordable, or accessible to get to the North Coast of NSW."

NCDN has also signed an MOU with Gold Coast Airport, a strategic partner in the regional network's initiatives to grow international visitors, which have declined by 11% in the year to March 2012.

"International visitors are predicted to account for 45% of all overnight visitor expenditure by 2020, and the forecasts indicate that Asian markets like Singapore will be an engine room for that growth in visitor expenditure." said Michael Curtis, International Business Development Manager.

"Gold Coast Airport is delighted to work with tourism bodies in New South Wales as we know that the growing number of passengers coming through our airport from overseas will love all that the North Coast NSW has to offer."


Key Statistics:

•       *There were 317,100 international visitors to the combined Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast regions in the year ended March 2012, down by 12%* on YE Mar 11. Visitors spent 2.58 million nights in the region - stable on YE Mar 11.
•       *International overnight visitors spent $153 million in the Northern Rivers region, down by 14% on YE Mar 11.
•       *Singapore is Australia's sixth largest source market for international visitors.
•      * The Tourism Forecasting Committee Forecast (April 2012) estimates that arrivals from Singapore will increase by 4.5 per cent in 2012/13, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2 per cent between 2010/11- 2015/16
•      * Australia ranks 4th among all out-of-region outbound destinations for Singaporean traveller.
•       *May-June and Nov-Dec are the peak travel periods for Singaporean visitors to Australia.


About Scoot™

Scoot™ operates medium and long haul no-frills flights between Singapore and Sydney, Gold Coast, Bangkok, Tianjin, Taipei, and Tokyo, with Shenyang and Qingdao commencing on 27 November. Operating a fleet of Boeing 777-200 aircraft, Scoot provides – in addition to fantastic value airfares – a safe, reliable and contemporary travel experience with a unique attitude – Scootitude™.

Scoot is passionate about changing the way people travel long distance. Book your tickets at Flyscoot.com or call +65 3158 3388 (Singapore); +61 (0)2 8520 1888 (Australia); 400 120 3055 (China); +66 2105 5754 (Thailand), and +886 (00)8 0114 8966 (Taiwan). Our English Customer Service Support opens 24 hours, Monday to Sunday. Mandarin Customer Service Support opens 6am to 8pm (Singapore time), Monday to Sunday. Find out more on Flyscoot.com, Facebook.com/FlyScoot or e.Weibo.com/Flyscoot!

Singapore Airlines Celebrates A380 Milestone

Singapore Airlines wishes Happy Birthday to its largest passenger aircraft in the sky, the Airbus A380, as the airline marks the fifth anniversary of the A380's maiden flight from Singapore to Sydney in October 2007.

Singapore Airlines was not only proud to be the launch customer of the A380, but also lead the way in setting a new standard for luxury, space and comfort with the introduction of unique features onboard the superjumbo.

Over the last five years, SIA has carried more than 9 million customers over 24,000 A380 flights, and clocked approximately 240,000 hours.

Subhas Menon, Regional Vice-President South West Pacific, said: "We were so excited to be the first airline to introduce the A380 to much fanfare and five years on, the excitement around our A380 services continues, more recently with the introduction of a second daily service to Melbourne. The popularity of our A380s reflects the fact that we delivered on the brief given to us by our customers, and as this is a continuous process, we look forward to doing the same in 2013 when we unveil the next generation of Singapore Airlines' cabin interiors and seats."

Singapore Airlines now operates 19 A380s to 10 destinations worldwide, with London being the busiest route with 3 daily A380 flights, followed by Sydney and Melbourne with double daily A380 services. Daily services also operate to Paris, Frankfurt, Zurich, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Los Angeles, London and New York. Customers from Sydney and Melbourne can enjoy "A380 all the way" connections to these destinations.

To mark the occasion, customers in Sydney and Melbourne travelling on A380 flights today will be treated to a special commemorative A380 gift pack and a few chocolate treats. As part of the airline's 45th anniversary celebrations since the start of services to Sydney, Singapore Airlines will be hosting a special reception at Sydney Theatre on 27 October, with an exclusive Gala Performance by Sydney Dance Company.

Singapore Airlines officially launches in-flight Wi-Fi and mobile services

Singapore Airlines has fitted 14 of its aircraft, used on its longest international routes, with in-flight connectivity for passengers who wish to use their smartphones and other devices. It's great news if you're the type that wants to constantly stay connected over long distances, but will it be great for others if phone calls are permitted?

Singapore Airlines has installed Wi-Fi service provided by OnAir on its A340-500 aircraft used between Singapore and Newark and Los Angeles. The airline will continue to roll out the technology to additional long-haul aircraft including the A380 and Boeing 777-300ER over the next couple of years, according to an airline press release. Singapore Airlines' venture into in-flight Wi-Fi includes a hint that in-flight calls would be allowed for mobile phone users, at least in some markets.

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New cabin crew uniform for budget airline Scoot

In line with the colours of the airline's bright yellow logo, the uniform will have a black and yellow theme.

Unlike its parent company Singapore Airlines, the flight attendants will sport a more casual look.

Stewardesses will wear fitted black dresses with a yellow strip on one side, while the male attendants will wear similarly coloured T-shirts and dark bottoms.

The low-cost carrier said today that the uniforms were designed by ESTA.

In an earlier interview with AFP, Scoot's CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline will "target the young, the adventurous, and those that wish to save money".

The airline will begin operations in the middle of this year and will fly to long-haul destinations starting with Sydney, Australia.

Fares will be about 40 per cent lower than full-service carriers.

Scoot to debut Singapore-Gold Coast flights from June

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has just announced that Singapore Airlines' low-cost long-haul offshoot Scoot will operate flights to the Gold Coast from June this year.

Five weekly flights will operate from 12 June, with the deal described as a "multi-million blueprint partnership between government and industry which will open up overseas markets and support Queensland businesses and local jobs".

Bligh said the deal would see up to 2000 international visitors per week, injecting as much as $65 million annually into the local economy.

Gold Coast Tourism ceo Martin Winter said the route would position the Gold Coast on a new level as an international destination for Singaporeans, with the deal coming after negotiations by a "cross-agency consortium" also including Gold Coast Airport, Tourism Queensland and Tourism Australia.

Flights will go on sale in coming months, with Tourism Queensland and Gold Coast Tourism to work together with key industry players in Singapore to "promote the new route and encourage Singaporeans to think of Queensland for their next holiday".

More information in today's Travel Daily.

Singapore Airlines reveals plans for Scoot, a new low-cost long-haul carrier

Singapore Airlines has confirmed details of the worst kept secret in aviation – revealing its new long-haul budget carrier will be called Scoot. The carrier will fly to destinations in Australia and China, with Singapore Airlines outlining longer-term ambitions to reach Europe.

No-frills carriers are booming in the region, with AirAsia X leading the way and established carriers, including Qantas, unveiling rival services.

From mid-2012 Scoot will operate a fleet of four Boeing B777-200 aircraft. It will be wholly owned by Singapore Airlines, but managed independently.
According Scoot chief executive, Campbell Wilson, the airline will operate as many as 14 planes by 2016, charging passengers some 40 per cent less than rival, full-service, airlines.

The airline will operate from Changi Airport Terminal 2, with bookings being taken from early next year. AirAsia X – the long-haul arm of Malaysia-based AirAsia - is likely to be the main competition for Scoot in the short-term. The carrier presently flues to several destinations including London, Taipei, Tehran, Paris, Seoul, Tokyo and a number of cities in China and India. Qantas has also unveiled plans to launch a rival carrier. Singapore Airlines is considered as offering the World’s Leading Airline Inflight Entertainment by the prestigious World Travel Awards.

SINGAPORE AIRLINES WELCOMES ACCC DRAFT APPROVAL OF ALLIANCE WITH VIRGIN AUSTRALIA

Singapore Airlines today welcomed the ACCC's draft approval of its proposed alliance with Virgin Australia. Regulatory approval will enable Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia to build an integrated alliance, an expanded network and seamless service offerings for travellers in Australia.

The alliance will connect Singapore Airlines' global network with Virgin Australia's wide range of Australian and Pacific destinations, offering customers seamless connections, convenient flight schedules, access to more airport lounges and greater opportunities to earn and redeem frequent flyer miles.

Singapore Airlines Regional Vice-President South West Pacific Subhas Menon said: "We are pleased with the ACCC's draft approval. We pride ourselves on setting the benchmark for service excellence, product innovation and network connectivity in line with our customers' needs and our partnership with Virgin Australia will enable us to deliver a best-in-class travel experience across Australia. Today's announcement will be welcome news to leisure and corporate travellers alike who will benefit from the more attractive and competitive travel options this alliance will provide."

Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia lodged an application with the ACCC in June under which the airlines propose to:

- Codeshare on each other's international and domestic flights;

- Offer reciprocal frequent flyer programme benefits and lounge access;

- Coordinate schedules between Singapore and Australia and beyond to provide seamless connections; and

- Engage in joint sales, marketing and distribution activities.


The proposed alliance is subject to regulatory approvals in Australia and Singapore.

Singapore Airlines suspends A380 flights

SINGAPORE Airlines this morning cancelled the departure of one of its A380 flights from London, telling pax that engine maker Rolls Royce had placed an “embargo” on A380 aircraft using its Trent 900 engines, as exclusively revealed to the world in TD’s breaking news.

Several reports say the crew refused to fly the superjumbo flagship after oil was found in one of the turbines - a symptom which is believed to have led to the explosion of the QF engine.

It’s understood that SIA A380s are also currently grounded in Sydney and Melbourne, although the carrier hasn’t responded to requests for comment before TD’s deadline today.

Engine maker Rolls Royce yesterday issued a special service bulletin after saying it had “made progress in understanding the cause of the engine failure” on QF32 out of SIN five days ago.

Rolls Royce Trent 900 engine (www.leemawdsley.co.uk)

“As a result, a series of checks and inspections have been agreed with Airbus, with operators of the Trent 900 powered A380 and with the airworthiness authorities,” Rolls Royce said in a statement.

“These are being progressively completed which is allowing a resumption of operation of aircraft in full compliance with all safety standards”.

The Qantas A380 fleet remains grounded and isn’t expected to resume service until Fri at the earliest, with further details emerging from QF32 incl damage to wiring and hydraulic systems.

Earlier this week SQ said it was continuing to operate its A380s after inspections found no problems with the fleet.