Singapore Airlines

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Singapore Airlines
Syarikat Penerbangan Singapura
新加坡航空公司
சிங்கப்பூர் வான்வழி
Singapore Airlines Logo.svg
IATA
SQ		 ICAO
SIA		 Callsign
SINGAPORE
Founded 1 May 1947; 67 years ago (1947-05-01) (as Malayan Airways)
Hubs

Changi Airport
Frequent-flyer program
Airport lounge SilverKris Lounge
The Private Room
KrisFlyer Gold Lounge
First Class Reception Lounge
Alliance Star Alliance (2000)
Subsidiaries Scoot
SilkAir
Singapore Airlines Cargo
Tigerair
Fleet size 109
Destinations 62
Company slogan 'A Great Way to Fly' (English)
'Cara Hebat untuk Terbang' (Malay)
'பறக்க ஒரு சிறந்த வழி' (Tamil)
Parent company Temasek Holdings (56%)
Headquarters Airline House
25 Airline Road
Singapore 819829
Singapore
Key people Goh Choon Phong (CEO)
Revenue Increase S$19.244 billion(FY 2013/14)
Operating income Increase S$359.3 million (FY 2013/14)
Net income Decrease S$459.5 million (FY 2013/14)
Employees 17,240 (FY 2013/14)
Website singaporeair.com

Singapore Airlines Limited (SIA) (SGX: C6L) is the flag carrier of Singapore which operates from its hub at Changi Airport and has a strong presence in the Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and "Kangaroo Route" markets.

Singapore Airlines was the launch customer of Airbus A380, currently the world's largest passenger aircraft. SIA has diversified airline-related businesses, such as aircraft handling and engineering. Its wholly owned subsidiary SilkAir manages regional flights to secondary cities with short-haul aircraft. Subsidiary Singapore Airlines Cargo operates SIA's dedicated freighter fleet, and manages the cargo-hold capacity in SIA's passenger aircraft. Subsidiary Scoot operates in the low-cost carrier sector, along with minority-owned Tigerair.

It ranks amongst the top 15 carriers worldwide in terms of revenue passenger kilometres,[1] and 10th in the world for international passengers carried.[2] On 15 December 2010, Singapore Airlines was announced by the International Air Transport Association as the second largest airline in the world by market capitalisation with a worth of 14 billion US dollars.[3] Singapore Airlines utilises the Singapore Girl as its central figure in its corporate branding.[4]

History[edit]

Origin[edit]

An Airspeed Consul (VR-SCD) – the first aircraft type operated by Malayan Airways, which was the forerunner of Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines began with the incorporation of Malayan Airways Limited (MAL) on 1 May 1947, by the Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship Company of Singapore and Imperial Airways. The airline's first flight was a chartered flight from the British Straits Settlement of Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on 2 April 1947 using an Airspeed Consul twin-engined aircraft.[5] Regular weekly scheduled flights quickly followed from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang from 1 May 1947 with the same aircraft type.[6] The airline continued to expand during the rest of the 1940s and 1950s, as other British Commonwealth airlines (such as BOAC and Qantas Empire Airways) provided technical assistance, as well as assistance in joining IATA.[citation needed] By 1955, Malayan Airways' fleet had grown to include a large number of Douglas DC-3s, and went public in 1957. Other aircraft operated in the first two decades included the Douglas DC-4 Skymaster, the Vickers Viscount, the Lockheed 1049 Super Constellation, the Bristol Britannia, the de Havilland Comet 4 and the Fokker F27.

When Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, the airline's name was changed, from "Malayan Airways" to "Malaysian Airways". MAL also took over Borneo Airways. In 1966, following Singapore's separation from the federation, the airline's name was changed again, to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). The next year saw a rapid expansion in the airline's fleet and route, including the purchase of MSA's first Boeing aircraft, the Boeing 707s, as well the completion of a new high-rise headquarters in Singapore. Boeing 737s were added to the fleet soon after.

Incorporation and growth[edit]

An MSA Boeing 707 at Zürich-Kloten Airport. (1972)

MSA ceased operations in 1972, when Singapore wanted to develop its international routes but Malaysia wanted to develop its domestic routes before moving on to international routes, resulting in the formation of Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines System.[7][8][9] Hence, Singapore Airlines kept all of MSA's Boeing 707s and 737s, retained the international routes out of Singapore as well as the existing corporate headquarters in the city, with J.Y. Pillay, former joint chief of MSA as its first chairperson. Female flight attendants continued to wear the sarong kebaya uniform, which had been first introduced in 1968. A local start-up advertising company, Batey Ads was given the right to market the airline, eventually selecting the sarong and kebaya-clad air stewardesses as an icon for the airline and calling them Singapore Girls.

SIA DC-10-30 at Zurich in 1979.

SIA expanded almost overnight after the split from MSA in 1972, adding cities in the Indian subcontinent and Asia, and adding Boeing 727s, Boeing 747s and Douglas DC-10s to its fleet. The 1st two 747s arrived in the summer of 1973 and were deployed on the lucrative Singapore-Hong Kong-Taipei-Tokyo (Haneda Airport) run. As additional 747-200s arrived they were placed on routes to London, Paris and Rome, Australia and the long cherished USA with service to Los Angeles. The DC-10s lasted only a couple of years in the SIA fleet. In 1977, Singapore Airlines took delivery of its first Boeing 727-200 Advanced, flying it on its inaugural service from Singapore to Manila. The B727 was Singapore Airlines' successor to the B737-100s that it had inherited from MSA.

Concorde in Singapore Airlines livery at Heathrow in 1979.

In 1977 British Airways and Singapore Airlines shared a Concorde for flights between London and Singapore International Airport at Paya Lebar via Bahrain. The aircraft, BA's Concorde G-BOAD, was painted in Singapore Airlines livery on the port side and British Airways livery on the starboard side.[10][11] The service was discontinued after three return flights because of noise complaints from the Malaysian government;[12] it could only be reinstated on a new route bypassing Malaysian airspace in 1979. A dispute with India prevented Concorde from reaching supersonic speeds in Indian airspace so the route was discontinued in 1980.[13]

Revenue Passenger-Miles/Kilometers, in millions
Year Traffic
1972 1413 RPMs
1973 2944 RPKs
1975 5104 RPKs
1979 12041 RPKs
1985 21676 RPKs
1990 31270 RPKs
1995 48400 RPKs
2000 70795 RPKs
Source: Air Transport World
A Singapore Airlines Airbus A300 seen at the Farnborough Airshow in 1980.

The 1980s saw expanded services to United States, Canada, and additional European cities with Madrid becoming the first Hispanic city to be served by SIA. Boeing 747-300s were leased and introduced into the SIA fleet in the early 1980s and named 'Big Tops'. The 747-300s replaced the 747-200s on all trans-pacific routes as well as the prime European destinations. Again a short term affair was begun with a few Boeing 757s later followed by the addition of Airbus A310s and Airbus A300s The A310s became the Asian regional workhorse of the fleet, with the small A310-200 fleet serving until the late 1990s, and the much larger A310-300 fleet serving into the 2000s. In 1989, the first of 50 B747-400s was added to the fleet. The Airbus A340-300s augmented the 747-400s on long-range routes to Spain, Zurich, Copenhagen, San Francisco and cities not suitable for 747 service. Services extended to southern Africa in the 1990s when the airline began flights to Johannesburg in South Africa; Cape Town and Durban were later added. The 1990s also saw the opening of Terminal 2 in Changi Airport in 1991; all flight operations later moved to the new terminal.

In 2003 SIA obtained 5 long range Airbus A340-500 aircraft and started the two longest nonstop flights in aviation history, Singapore – Newark and Singapore – Los Angeles. In winter 2007 SIA saw its first double decker Airbus A380-800 join the fleet. Today Singapore Airlines is the world's 2nd largest operator of the type after Emirates of the UAE. SIA employs the A380 on routes to London, Zurich, Frankfurt, Paris, Mumbai, Sydney, Melbourne, Los Angeles and New York. SIA is also currently a far reaching global carrier and is a cornerstone member of Star Alliance.

Modern history[edit]

A Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400, dubbed Megatop, at Auckland Airport, New Zealand. The Megatop was the flagship of the airline from 1989 until the introduction of the Airbus A380 in October 2007

In 2004, SIA began non-stop trans-Pacific flights from Singapore to Los Angeles and Newark, utilising the Airbus A340-500. These flights marked the first non-stop air services between Singapore and the USA. The Singapore to Newark flight held the record for the longest scheduled commercial flight, with a flying time of about 18 hours each way. Singapore Airlines has converted its five Airbus A340-500 aircraft from a 64 Business Class/117 Premium Economy Class configuration to a 100-seat all- Business Class configuration for its routes to Newark and Los Angeles.

At a Cabinet meeting on 22 February 2006, the Government of Australia decided not to grant fifth freedom rights to Singapore Airlines on flights from Australia to the United States.[14] Singapore Airlines had argued that transpacific flights from Australia suffered from under-capacity, leading to limited competition and relatively high air fares.[14] The move was seen as a measure taken to protect Qantas from increased competition.[14] SIA had encountered such protectionist measures in the past when SIA was shut out from the Toronto market after complaints from Air Canada, and was forced to stop flying Boeing 747-400s into Jakarta in the wake of protests from Garuda Indonesia when it could not use similar equipment to compete.[15]

Singapore Airlines, along with Star Alliance partner South African Airways, was fined 25 million South African Rand (S$4.1 million) as an administrative penalty to partially settle a price-fixing investigation against the airline by the South African Competition Commission from 2008 to 2012.[16]

On 6 April 2012, Singapore Airlines phased out the last 747 in its fleet after 40 years of service. A final round-trip commemorative flight was operated from Singapore to Hong Kong with flight numbers SQ747 and SQ748 respectively. As well as an extended flying time, special meals, performances and inflight celebrations, passengers were given well stocked 747 goody bags.

The airline announced that it will end its flights from Singapore to both Newark and Los Angeles from 23 November 2013 and 20 October 2013, respectively. However, Los Angeles will continue to be served from Singapore via Tokyo-Narita.[17]

Airbus A380[edit]

Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 taking off at Zürich Airport in March 2011.

On 29 September 2000, SIA announced an order for up to 25 Airbus A3XX (as the A380 was known at the time). The US$8.6 billion order comprised a firm order of 10 aircraft, with options on another 15 airframes.[18] The order was confirmed by Singapore Airlines on 12 July 2001. In January 2005, the airline unveiled the slogan "First to Fly the A380 – Experience the Difference in 2006", to promote itself as the first airline to take delivery of the A380-800, which was expected to take place in the second quarter of 2006.[19] In June 2005, Airbus confirmed that due to unforeseen technical problems, initial deliveries of the Airbus A380 would be delayed by up to six months,[20] with the first delivery now slated for November 2006. The announcement was met with fury by SIA's chief executive officer, Chew Choon Seng, who threatened to sue Airbus, saying: "Airbus took some time to acknowledge the delay in the timetable for the A380's entry into service...I would have expected more sincerity."[21]

He further stated that SIA will be turning its attention to Boeing instead, since it would be receiving the Boeing 777-300ER before the A380. Nevertheless, SIA has indicated that this would not affect its promotional campaign. In February 2006, the first A380 in full Singapore Airlines livery was flown to Singapore, where it was displayed at Asian Aerospace 2006. On 14 June 2006, Singapore Airlines placed an initial order for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner as part of its future aircraft expansion. The order consisted of 20 787-9s and rights for 20 more. This order came one day after Airbus announced that the A380 Superjumbo would be delayed by another 6 months. A third delay was announced on 3 October 2006, pushing the initial delivery of the first A380 to October 2007.[22]

On 25 October 2007, the first commercial A380 service, SQ 380,[23] carried 455 passengers from Singapore to Sydney, touching down in Sydney Airport at 3:24 pm local time, where it received significant attention from the media.[24] The airline donated all revenue generated from the flight to three charities in a ceremony the next day in Sydney. SIA began regular services with the A380 on 28 October 2007.

Fleet reductions[edit]

On 16 February 2009 the airline announced that it would remove 17 aircraft from its operating fleet between April 2009 and March 2010, as part of a cost-saving initiative to help counter falling passenger and cargo demand, having originally planned to phase out only four aircraft. The airline stated that it could not rule out delaying deliveries on aircraft already ordered.[25][26]

Scoot[edit]

Main article: Scoot

In May 2011, Singapore Airlines revealed plans to launch a low-fare airline subsidiary within a year. The wholly owned subsidiary, New Aviation, was incorporated on 17 June 2011 with an issued and paid up capital of S$1.[27]

On 1 November 2011, it was announced that the low-cost airline would be named Scoot and would begin flights from mid-2012 with a fleet of four Boeing 777-200 wide-body aircraft.[28][29] focused on medium- and long-haul routes. The airline will be wholly owned but operated independently and managed separately from Singapore Airlines.[30]

Vistara[edit]

Main article: Vistara

In 2013, Singapore Airlines announced a formation of a joint venture with Tata Sons, which was named Vistara. The airline will be based out of New Delhi, India and has hoped to start operations in the second half of 2014. The airline has ordered up to 20 Airbus A320s and will compete with full service carriers Air India and Jet Airways.[31]

Corporate management[edit]

Robinson 77 (Formerly known as SIA Building) was the flagship building for Singapore Airlines, before it was sold in 2006
Airline House, the corporate head office of Singapore Airlines, is in the background

The airline is majority-owned by Singapore government investment and holding company Temasek Holdings which holds 56% of voting stock.[32] The Singapore government, which holds a golden share via the Ministry of Finance, has regularly stressed its non-involvement in the management of the company, a point emphasised by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew when he declared that the aviation hub status of Singapore Changi Airport will be defended, even at the cost of SIA.[33] However, he was personally involved in defusing tensions between the company and its pilots,[34] warned the airline to cut costs,[35] and made public his advice to the airline to divest from its subsidiary companies.[36] Still, independent research typically rates the airline as practising sound corporate governance policies in accordance with national regulations.[37] In the lead up to the conclusion of the Open Skies Agreement with the United Kingdom on 2 October 2007, the Singapore aviation authorities referred to the airline's audited annual reports to dispel the notion that SIA receives state funding, subsidies or preferential treatment from the government, despite being a Government-linked company.[38] Singapore Airlines is headquartered at Airline House, by Changi Airport in the Changi area of Singapore.[39] Marie Bordet of Le Point said that the head office was "un tantinet décrépit" ("a little decrepit").[40]

Structure[edit]

Singapore Airlines has diversified into related industries and sectors, including ground handling, aircraft leasing, aviation engineering, air catering, and tour operations. It has also restructured itself by hiving off operational units as fully owned subsidiaries to maintain its core business as a passenger airline. The Singapore Airlines Group comprised 25 subsidiaries, 32 associates, and two joint venture companies in the financial year ending 31 March 2007. SIA sold all its equity share of 35.5% in a joint venture, Singapore Aircraft Leasing Enterprise, to the Bank of China for US$980 million on 15 December 2006.[41]

There were suggestions to divest SIA Engineering Company and Singapore Airport Terminal Services, two of SIA's largest subsidiaries. Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, for one, voiced his opinion in December 2005 that Singapore Airlines should divest these two companies to focus on its core business of air transportation.[42] Singapore Airlines has evaluated the divestment opportunity and Singapore Airport Terminal Services (which was renamed as SATS Group) was diversified from the group on 1 September 2009.[43][44]

Companies in the Singapore Airlines Group include:

Company Type Principal activities Incorporated in Group's equity shareholding
(31 March 2013)
SIA Engineering Company Limited Subsidiary Engineering Singapore 78.6%
Aircraft Maintenance Services Australia Pty Ltd Subsidiary Aircraft Maintenance and Handling Australia 78.6%
Nexgen Network (1) Holding Pte Ltd Subsidiary Investment Singapore 78.6%
Nexgen Network (2) Holding Pte Ltd Subsidiary Investment Singapore 78.6%
SIA Engineering (USA) Inc Subsidiary Aircraft Maintenance and Handling United States 78.6%
SIAEC Global Pte Ltd Subsidiary Investment Singapore 78.6%
SIA Engineering (Philippines) Corporation Subsidiary Engineering Philippines 51.6%
Singapore Jamco Pte Ltd Subsidiary Engineering Singapore 51.1%
Singapore Airlines Cargo Pte Ltd Subsidiary Cargo Airline Singapore 100.0%
Cargo Community Network Pte Ltd Subsidiary Marketing Singapore 51.0%
Cargo Community (Shanghai) Co Ltd Subsidiary Marketing China 51.0%
SilkAir (Singapore) Private Limited Subsidiary Airline Singapore 100.0%
Scoot Pte Ltd Subsidiary Airline Singapore 100.0%
Tradewinds Tours & Travel Private Limited Subsidiary Tour wholesaling Singapore 100.0%
Singapore Aviation and General Insurance Company (Pte) Ltd Subsidiary Insurance Singapore 100.0%
Singapore Flying College Pte Ltd Training Subsidiary Singapore 100.0%
Abacus Travel Systems Pte Ltd Marketing Subsidiary Singapore 61.0%
SIA (Mauritius) Ltd Subsidiary Recruitment Mauritius 100.0%
International Engine Component Overhaul Pte Ltd Joint venture Engineering Singapore 39.3%
Singapore Aero Engine Services Pte Ltd Joint venture Engineering Singapore 39.3%

Operational investments[edit]

Boeing 747-400 arriving at London Heathrow Airport

The airline has invested in other airlines in a bid to expand beyond its Singapore base, although the results are often financially negative. In 1989, it went into a tripartite alliance with Delta Air Lines and Swissair,[45] but terminated their partnership in 1999 after divesting their 5% equity stake in each other's company. The airline purchased 25% of Air New Zealand in 2000. However following the near collapse of Air New Zealand the New Zealand government bought into the airline to rescue it from bankruptcy, reducing Singapore Airlines' stake to 4.5%. This was subsequently sold in October 2004 at a substantial loss.

SIA bought a 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic Airways on 30 March 2000 worth £600 million in cash[46] in the hope of leveraging on it on the lucrative transatlantic market, but by 2007, there has been reports of underperformance and the possibility of divesting its stake.[47] On 14 May 2008, the company formally announced an invitation for offers for its Virgin Atlantic stake, and publicly acknowledged that its stake in the airline has "underperformed".[48] In September 2004, the airline entered the low-cost carrier market by establishing Tiger Airways with a 49% stake, in partnership with Indigo Partners LLC, the investment firm founded by Bill Franke, (24%); Irelandia Investments Limited, the private investment arm of Tony Ryan and his family, (16%); and Temasek Holdings Pte Ltd (11%). Tiger Airways was eventually listed on Singapore Exchange in Feb 2010, reducing SIA shares to 34.4%.

SIA also purchased a 10% stake in Virgin Australia on 30 October 2012 worth A$105 million.

On 12 December 2012, Singapore Airlines sold its 49% stake in Virgin Atlantic for US$360 million.

Labour[edit]

The Singapore Airlines Group employed a total of 21,534 staff members at the end of the fiscal year on 31 March 2011.[49] The parent airline itself employed 13,942 (47.3%), of which there are 2,174 pilots and 6,914 cabin crew. The group's employees are represented by five labour unions, namely the Singapore Airlines Staff Union (SIASU), the SIA Engineering Company Engineers and Executives Union (SEEU), the Singapore Airport Terminal Services Workers' Union (SATSWU), the Air Transport Executives Staff Union (AESU) and the Air Line Pilots' Association Singapore (ALPA-S).

Relations between the labour unions and the group management has been testy at times, particularly after a series of wage cuts, retrenchments, and early retirement affected staff morale during and after difficult economic conditions such as the SARS outbreak in 2003.[50] The ALPA-S alone has been involved in no less than 24 disputes with group management since its registration in May 1981 (itself formed after its predecessor, the Singapore Airlines Pilots Association had 15 EXCO members charged and convicted for initiating illegal industrial action in 1980 in the wake of disputes with management and the SIAPA was deregistered on 26 February 1981) up to 30 November 2003, when the Ministry of Manpower (Singapore) amended the Trade Unions Act to overrule an item in ALPA-S's constitution requiring formal ratification from the general membership for negotiation agreements involving the executive committee.[51] In 2007, the airline was in the spotlight again when ALPA-S disagreed with the management's proposed salary rate for pilots flying the Airbus A380,[52] and the case had to be settled by the Industrial Arbitration Court.[53] The salary ranges of SIA's pilots were made public during the first day of the hearings, and the press noted that the airline's 935 captains who fly the Boeing 777 received higher salaries (over S$270,000) at the midpoint of their salary brackets compared to the company's 36 vice-presidents (S$233,270).[54]

Disputes have also affected the unions, some so severe that they have attracted the intervention of the government. The internal feuding in ALPA-S which led to the ousting of the entire 22-member executive committee on 17 November 2003 was attributed to "internal politics" and theories that it may involve former pilots, including those involved in the deregistration of SIAPA.[55] In January 2008, NTUC secretary-general Lim Swee Say spoke up against legal action by parties involved in an internal dispute in SIASU.[56]

On 2 April 2007 the airline group and its unions jointly launched the "Singapore Airlines Group Union-Management Partnership" and the Labour Movement 2011 (LM2011) in a bid to improve their relations, each pledging to be "pro-worker" and "pro-business" respectively.[57] In April 2008, the airline's chairman Stephen Lee described the relations between management and the unions as "stable and cordial" in the last two years, with better communication between them. He alluded that several government figures, including Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, has intervened to help alleviate differences, and that there has been more regular meetings and exchanges between the two sides.[58]

Financial performance[edit]

Singapore Airlines Group financial highlights[59][60]
Year ended Revenue
(S$m)		 Expenditure
(S$m)		 Operating profit
(S$m)		 Profit before
taxation (S$m)		 Profit attributable to
equity holders (S$m)		 EPS after tax
– diluted (cents)
31 March 1999 7,795.9 6,941.5 854.4 1,116.8 1,033.2 80.6
31 March 2000 9,018.8 7,850.0 1,168.8 1,463.9 1,163.8 91.4
31 March 2001 9,951.3 8,604.6 1,346.7 1,904.7 1,549.3 126.5
31 March 2002 9,382.8 8,458.2 924.6 925.6 631.7 51.9
31 March 2003 10,515.0 9,797.9 717.1 976.8 1,064.8 87.4
31 March 2004 9,761.9 9,081.5 680.4 820.9 849.3 69.7
31 March 2005 12,012.9 10,657.4 1,355.5 1,829.4 1,389.3 113.9
31 March 2006 13,341.1 12,127.8 1,213.3 1,662.1 1,240.7 101.3
31 March 2007 14,494.4 13,180.0 1,314.4 2,284.6 2,128.8 170.8
31 March 2008 15,972.5 13,848.0 2,124.5 2,547.2 2,049.4 166.1
31 March 2009 15,996.3 15,092.7 903.6 1,198.6 1,061.5 89.1
31 March 2010[61] 12,707.3 12,644.1 63.2 271.7 215.8 18.0
31 March 2011[62] 14,524.8 13,253.5 1,271.3 1,403.5 1,092.0 90.2
31 March 2012[63] 14,857.8 14,571.9 285.9 433.3 335.9 27.9
31 March 2013[64] 15,098.2 14,869.0 229.2 469.6 378.9 31.9
31 March 2014[32] 15,243.9 14,984.6 259.3 367.9 359.5 30.3

Operating performance[edit]

Singapore Airlines operating highlights (parent airline company only)[59][60]
Year ended Passengers
(thousand)		 RPK
(million)		 ASK
(million)		 Load factor
(%)		 Yield
(S¢/km)		 Unit cost
(cents/ASK)		 Breakeven load
factor (%)
31 March 1993 8,640 37,860.6 53,100.4 71.3 10.5 - -
31 March 1994 9,468 42,328.3 59,283.3 71.4 10.1 - -
31 March 1995 10,082 45,412.2 64,053.9 70.9 9.9 - -
31 March 1996 11,057 50,045.4 68,555.3 73.0 9.4 - -
31 March 1997 12,022 54,692.5 73,511.4 74.4 9.0 - -
31 March 1998 11,957 54,441.2 77,221.6 70.5 9.5 - -
31 March 1999 12,777 60,299.9 83,191.7 72.5 8.6 - -
31 March 2000 13,782 65,718.4 87,728.3 74.9 9.1 - -
31 March 2001 15,002 71,118.4 92,648.0 76.8 9.4 7.5 70.2
31 March 2002 14,765 69,994.5 94,558.5 74.0 9.0 6.4 71.1
31 March 2003 15,326 74,183.2 99,565.9 74.5 9.1 6.7 73.6
31 March 2004 13,278 64,685.2 88,252.7 73.3 9.2 6.7 72.8
31 March 2005 15,944 77,593.7 104,662.3 74.1 10.1 7.0 69.3
31 March 2006 16,995 82,741.7 109,483.7 75.6 10.6 7.5 70.8
31 March 2007 18,346 89,148.8 112,543.8 79.2 10.9 7.9 72.5
31 March 2008 19,120 91,485.2 113,919.1 80.3 12.1 8.4 69.4
31 March 2009 18,293 90,128.1 117,788.7 76.5 12.5 9.2 73.6
31 March 2010[61] 16,480 82,882.5 105,673.7 78.4 10.4 8.6 82.7
31 March 2011[62] 16,647 84,801.3 108,060.2 78.5 11.9 8.9 74.8
31 March 2012[63] 17,155 87,824.0 113,409.7 77.4 11.8 9.2 78.0
31 March 2013[64] 18,210 93,765.6 118,264.4 79.3 11.4 9.2 80.7
31 March 2014[32] 18,268 95,064.3 120,502.8 78.9 11.1 9.1 82.0

Branding[edit]

Main article: Singapore Girl
Flight attendants, known as the Singapore Girls, are heavily marketed as the airline's icon

Branding and publicity efforts have revolved primarily around flight crew,[65][66] in contrast to most other airlines, who tend to emphasise aircraft and services in general. In particular, the promotion of its female flight attendants known as Singapore Girls has been widely successful and is a common feature in most of the airline's advertisements and publications. This branding strategy aims to build a mythical aura around the Singapore Girl, and portray her as representative of Asian hospitality and grace and the airline's training program for both cabin and technical flight crew complement this objective. This is similar to the tactics that Pan Am used as they also tried to promote their stewardesses as a big attraction to flying on the airline.

Dressed in a version of the Indonesia Sarong Kebaya designed by Pierre Balmain in 1968,[67] the uniform of the Singapore Girl has remained largely unchanged. Stewards previously wore light-blue business jackets and grey trousers. Since June 2008, this has been redesigned by Christophe Galibert, artistic Director of Balmain Uniformes. The new steward's uniform now features a single-breasted navy blue suit (jacket and trousers), a sky blue shirt and different coloured striped ties. The tie colours differentiates the four ranks of cabin crew: inflight supervisor, chief steward(ess), leading steward(ess), and steward(ess).

Although a successful marketing image for the airline, the "Singapore Girl" emphasis received criticisms for its portrayal of women as subservient to males. Feminist groups say that its cultural references are outdated and that most Singaporean women today are modern and independent.[68]

On 9 January 2007, the airline announced it would put to tender its existing advertising contract with Batey Ads, the Singaporean company headed by founder Ian Batey, who was responsible for building up the Singapore Girl brand name and its partner since 1972.[69] The image of the Singapore Girl would still remain, although SIA will now focus on advertising and promoting its modern fleet and technology instead. On 16 April 2007, the airline appointed New York-based advertising agent TBWA\ to handle its creative advertising for the airline. The contract is worth S$50 million per year over the following five years. Stephen Forshaw, SIA's Vice-President of Public Affairs, said they will start the new branding campaign "as early as there is a practicable opportunity". This change in advertising agency will not affect SIA's buying media agency, which is presently MEC.[70]

The Singapore Airlines logo is a bird, inspired by a silver kris,[71] which comes from the keris, a dagger from Southeast Asia prominently featured in the region's myth and folklore. The keris is central in Singapore Airline's branding, such as the SilverKris lounge and the KrisWorld entertainment system. The logo is featured on the tailfin and in the airline's collaterals, and has remained unchanged since Singapore Airlines' inception from the split of Malaysia–Singapore Airlines. The logotype and stripes underwent a minor tweak in 1987.[72] The livery had a recent change, which saw the "Singapore Airlines" logotype enlarged and moved towards the front and the "bird" logo on the tailfin enlarged, in a similar fashion to the livery variant used on the Airbus A380. However, the stripes and the "bird" remain the same.

Destinations[edit]

Main article: Singapore Airlines destinations
Singapore Airlines flies to 62 destinations in 35 countries on six continents.

Singapore Airlines flies to 62 destinations in 35 countries on six continents[73] from its primary hub in Singapore. It has a strong presence in the Southeast Asian region, which together with its subsidiary SilkAir, connects Singapore with more international destinations in the region than any other Southeast Asian airline.

The airline has a key role on the Kangaroo Route. It flew 11.0% of all international traffic into and out of Australia in the month ended March 2008.[74]

SIA has taken advantage of liberal bilateral aviation agreements between Singapore and Thailand, and with the United Arab Emirates, to offer more onward connections from Bangkok and Dubai respectively.

Boeing 777-300ER departs London Heathrow Airport (2014)

AirAsia, a low-cost airline based in Malaysia, accused Singapore Airlines of double standards, when it claimed that the Government of Singapore has attempted to keep it out of the Singapore market,[75] although there has been no official word that Singapore Airlines has objected to the entry of AirAsia. Singapore Airlines has, instead, welcomed[76][77] the liberation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route which it dominated together with Malaysia Airlines[78] for over three decades,[79] accounting for about 85% of the over 200 flight frequencies then operated.[80] A highly lucrative route for LCCs due to its short distance and heavy traffic as the fourth-busiest in Asia,[81][82] bringing Singapore Airline's capacity share on the route down to about 46.7%, Malaysia Airlines' down to 25.3%, and increase to 17.3% to the three LCCs now permitted on the route, and the remainder shared by three other airlines as of 22 September 2008.[83] Singapore Airline's capacity share will drop further from 1 December 2008 when the route is opened up completely to liberalisation, when it announced plans to share its capacity with sister airline SilkAir.[84] Malaysia Airlines, the main opponent to liberalisation of the route[85] and deemed to be the party which stands to lose the most, will continue to codeshare with both Singapore Airlines and SilkAir on the route.[86]

Codeshare agreements[edit]

Boeing 747-400 at Singapore Changi Airport in Star Alliance livery while still maintaining its corporate logo on the tail

Singapore Airlines codeshares with the following airlines, besides Star Alliance members:[87]

Fleet[edit]

Main article: Singapore Airlines fleet
Boeing 777-300ER (9V-SWA), the first of the −300ER variant to be delivered on 23 November 2006, taking off from Zürich Airport. The next generation of cabin products for First, Business, and Economy class, will enter service onboard all Boeing 777-300ERs.
An Airbus A380-800 at Zurich Airport in 2010.
Subtle livery changes were made in 2007, specifically to accommodate the arrival of the A380. These included a larger company name and a larger Singaporean flag on the fuselage and a larger tailfin logo as seen on the 747 on the left.

Singapore Airlines operates an all wide-body aircraft fleet from three aircraft families; Airbus A330, Airbus A380, and Boeing 777, totalling 109 aircraft at 31 January 2015.[91] In keeping with its policy of maintaining a young fleet, it renews its fleet frequently.[60]

In-flight services[edit]

Cabins[edit]

Singapore Airlines offers four classes of service – suites, first class, business class and economy class. Major upgrades to its cabin and in-flight service were announced on 17 October 2006,[92] the first major overhaul in over eight years and costing the airline approximately S$570 million.[93] Initially planned for its Airbus A380-800's introduction into service in 2006, and subsequently on the Boeing 777-300ER, the postponement of the first A380-800 delivery meant it had to be introduced with the launch of the first Boeing 777-300ER with the airline on 5 December 2006 between Singapore and Paris.[94][95]

On 9 July 2013, Singapore Airlines, in collaboration with two design firms, James Park Associates and DesignworksUSA, unveiled the next generation of cabin products for First, Business, and Economy class, which will enter service onboard new Boeing 777-300ERs and Airbus A350s. London will be the first city served with the new product in September.[96]

Singapore Airlines Suites[edit]

Singapore Airlines Suites[97] is a class available only on the Airbus A380. The product was designed by French luxury yacht interior designer Jean-Jacques Coste and consists of separate compartments with walls and doors 1.5 m high. The leather seat, upholstered by Poltrona Frau of Italy, is 35 in (89 cm) wide (with armrests up and 23 in (58 cm) wide when armrests are down) and a 23 in (58 cm) LCD TV screen is mounted on the front wall. The 78 in (200 cm) bed is separate from the seat and folds out from the back wall, with several other components of the suite lowering to accommodate the mattress. Windows are built into the doors and blinds offer privacy. Suites located in the center can form a double bed after the privacy blinds between them are retracted into special compartments between the beds and in the frame of the partition.

Boeing 777-300ER First Class

First class[edit]

There are three variations of the first class cabin, although the Singapore Airlines Suites class is designated by Singapore Airlines as a "Class Beyond First"[97] and uses a different fare code (R) (see above).

Introduced on 9 July 2013, the current "New" First Class is offered only on new Boeing B777-300ERs and Airbus A350-900s. Features include a 24-inch in-flight entertainment screen with video-touch screen handsets, adjustable in-seat lighting, and passenger control unit, inside a fixed-shell cabin with an 35 in (89 cm) wide seat, foldable into an 80 in (203 cm) bed.[96]

The "Other" First Class is offered only on offered only on Boeing 777-300 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Designed by James Park Associates, it features a 35 in (89 cm) wide seat upholstered with leather and mahogany and a 23 in (58 cm) LCD screen. The seats fold out into a flat bed and are arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration.

Boeing 777-300ER Business Class

Business class[edit]

Business Class was formerly known as Raffles Class until 2006. The latest version of the Business Class, the "New" Business Class, was unveiled on 9 July 2013 and available on new Boeing B777-300ERs and Airbus A350s. Features include power socket and ports all in one panel, stowage beside the seat, two new seating positions and an 18-inch in-flight entertainment screen. The seat has a recline of 132 degrees and can be folded into an 78 in (198.1 cm) length bed.[96]

Long-Haul Business Class is available on Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER, as well as refitted Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, where a fully flat bed is available in a 1-2-1 configuration featuring 30 in (76 cm) of seat width.[98] These seats are forward-facing, in contrast to the herring-bone configuration used by several other airlines offering flat beds in business class.[99] The leather seats feature a 15.4 in (39.1 cm) diagonal screen size personal television, in-seat power supply and 2 USB ports.[100] This seat is also being progressively introduced on Boeing 777-200ER aircraft.[101] 9 B777-200ER aircraft serving the long haul routes are now equipped with this Business class product. The product (usually operating on the A380, selected 777-200ER and 777-300ER aircraft) was voted the world's best business class by Skytrax in 2011.

On eight Airbus A380 aircraft, the first of which entered service in October 2011, Singapore Airlines extended the business class cabin to run the entire length of the upper deck, compared to the original configuration which shares the upper deck between 16 rows of business class and 11 rows of economy at the rear.[102]

Medium & Short Haul Business Class is available on all Airbus A330-300, all Boeing 777-300 and 10 Boeing 777-200 aircraft, configured in 2-2-2 layout and with iPod connectivity, only available in the A330. The Business Class seat is lie-flat at an 8-degree incline, featuring Krisworld on a 15.4 inch screen.[96][103]

SpaceBed seats are being progressively phased out and currently are available on 4 Boeing 777-200ER aircraft in a 2-2-2 configuration. The SpaceBed seats are 27 in (69 cm) wide and 72 in (183 cm) long and convert to an angled flat bed. They have a retractable 10.4 in (26.4 cm) personal television, and are being phased out in favour of New Business Class seats. Traditional Ultimo business class seats, which do not convert into beds, are offered on 3 Boeing 777-200 aircraft in a 2-3-2 configuration with an 8.4-inch screen.

Premium economy class[edit]

Singapore Airlines will launch an all-new premium economy class on its Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER with first flights from August 9, 2015. The seats will have 38 inch pitch (compared to a 32 inch pitch in standard economy), at 18.5-19.5 inches wide and with an 8 inch recline. The seats will also be fitted to the first 20 of Singapore Airlines' Airbus A350-900 jets.[104]

Economy class[edit]

Airbus A380-800 Economy Class

The old economy class seats are currently available on 3 unrefitted Boeing 777-200s and 4 unrefitted Boeing 777-200ERs. They have VGA 6.1 inch personal television screens, footrests, adjustable headrests with side-flap "ears" and adjustable seat reclines. Baby bassinets are available at some bulkheads.[105] These older Economy Class seats with the Wisemen 3000 system were introduced with the Boeing 777-200ER in 1997, for use alongside the existing Economy Class seats with the non-AVOD KrisWorld (at that time on board the airline's Boeing 747-400s and A340-300s, having been introduced in 1995) and the older-generation early 1990s seats without KrisWorld (at that time on board the airline's A310-200s and A310-300s). The first few aircraft were delivered without AVOD, as of 2015, there are no more aircraft without AVOD. After the first Boeing 777-200ER was delivered on 5 May 1997, the updated Economy Class seat was installed in all subsequent aircraft deliveries (including newer -SP* series Boeing 747-400s), as well as in refitted existing Boeing 747-400s in late 1997 and early 1998.

The previous generation Economy class seats on the Boeing 777-300ER, Airbus A380-800, and Airbus A330-300 are 19.5 in (50 cm) wide, have in-seat power and have a 10.6-inch personal television screen which has a non-intrusive reading light under it, which can be used by folding the screen outwards.[106] These are configured 3-4-3 on the lower deck of the Airbus A380, 3-3-3 on the Boeing 777, and 2-4-2 on the Airbus A330, as well as the upper deck of the Airbus A380.[107] Other features include an independent cup holder (separate from the fold-out table), a USB port, and a power socket, as well as an iPod port exclusively on board the Airbus A330.

Singapore Airlines introduced a similar design on board the Boeing 777 aircraft through their ongoing cabin retrofit program. The Boeing 777-300 is the first model to undergo refit and has introduced the product on the Singapore–Sydney route on 22 July 2009.[108] It was equipped with slightly smaller 9-inch screens (which are however larger than the 6.1 inch VGA screens on unrefitted aircraft) and AVOD in each seat. The seats are installed on board the airline's 777 fleet except the 300ER aircraft. They are available on board 10 B777-200s, 7 B777-300s and 9 B777-200ERs.

A redesign of the Economy Class seat was unveiled on 9 July 2013 alongside new first and business class products. Features include increased legroom, slimmer seats, an adjustable headrest, and an 11.1 inch-touch screen inflight entertainment system which is also controllable with a video touch-screen handset as well as brand new KrisWorld software. The new seats were originally announced to only be available exclusively on board factory-fresh Boeing 777-300ER, but following customer feedback, Singapore Airlines announced it would refit select older 777-300ER aircraft with new cabin products as well.[96]

An appetiser served in Business Class

Catering[edit]

Singapore Airlines offers a wide array of food options on each flight. Regional dishes are often served on their respective flights, such as the Kyo-Kaiseki, Shi Quan Shi Mei, and Shahi Thali meals available for first class passengers on flights to Japan, China and India, respectively.

SIA has also introduced a Popular Local Fare culinary programme offering local favourites to passengers in all classes flying from selected major destinations.

They published a cookbook in 2010 titled, Above & Beyond: A Collection of Recipes from the Singapore Airlines Culinary Panel.[109]

Business and first class passengers may also choose to use the "Book the Cook" service on some flights, where specific dishes may be selected in advance from a more extensive menu.[110]

KrisWorld[edit]

KrisWorld logo

KrisWorld is Singapore Airlines' in-flight entertainment system, introduced in 1997 on Boeing 747-400, Airbus A310-300, Airbus A340-300 and Boeing 777-200 aircraft.[111] KrisFlyer overhauled Singapore Airlines' in-flight experience with a new, cheap entertainment solution that would supersede the very primitive Thales entertainment system on offer at that time by Virgin Atlantic and Emirates.

The original KrisWorld introduced 14 movies, 36 television programmes and 5 cartoons, as well as many Super Nintendo games, KrisFone and fax, text news and flight path in all classes. The original KrisWorld was subsequently upgraded to feature Wisemen 3000, an audio and video on-demand version of the KrisWorld system featuring exclusively in First and Raffles Class cabins, then progressively being introduced into Economy Class in 747 cabins and selected 777 cabins.[112]

In 2002, Singapore Airlines introduced a re-branding of the KrisWorld system. Named Enhanced KrisWorld, it featured additional movies, television programming, music and games, and was installed on Boeing 747-400 and selected Boeing 777-200 aircraft. Connexion by Boeing, an in-flight Internet service, was introduced in 2005. Live television streaming was proposed on Connexion, but this service was discontinued in December 2006. From October 2005, Singapore Airlines began offering complimentary language lessons by Berlitz.[113] and, starting December 2005, live text news feeds.[114]

In 2007, a new KrisWorld based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux was introduced, featuring a new interface, additional programming and audio and video on demand as standard. Widescreen personal video systems were installed in all cabins, including 23-inch LCD monitors in First Class, 15-inch monitors in Business Class, and 10.6-inch monitors in Economy Class.[115][116] The new KrisWorld is available on Airbus A330, Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER. Features include:

A $400 million brand new KrisWorld entertainment system was unveiled in 2012. This comes from a major deal with Panasonic Avionics, who will provide the latest Panasonic eX3 systems. The eX3 system features larger screen with much higher resolution, wide touch screen controllers, new software, and, above all, in-flight connectivity. Singapore Airlines launched their in-flight connectivity in August 2012. Passengers are now able to make phone calls, send text messages and access the internet for a fee. The new eX3 systems are unveiled alongside the new cabin product, and is available on Boeing 777-300ERs, Airbus A380s and the upcoming Airbus A350s.[117]

Singapore Airlines is one of only few airlines which have personal TVs in every class on every aircraft, with their last aircraft with no personal TV in every seat, Airbus A310-200, withdrawn in 2002.[citation needed]

Lounges[edit]

SilverKris Lounge[edit]

SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 3 at Changi Airport

The Silver Kris Lounge is Singapore Airlines premium lounge, available to departing Singapore Airlines Suites, First Class and Business Class passengers in addition to Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members travelling on Singapore Airlines. These lounges are located in the following locations:[118]

The SilverKris Lounges at Changi Airport are also open 24 hours and are also accessible to departing first class and business class passengers travelling on Star Alliance flights. They feature Internet workstations, wireless internet access, conference rooms, bars, restrooms, showers as well as dining and lounge areas.[119]

The Private Room[edit]

The Private Room opened on 1 July 2008 and is located in the First Class section of the SilverKris Lounge in Terminal 3 at Changi Airport. Originally for the exclusive use of full-fare Singapore Airlines Suites and first class passengers, the entry requirements were relaxed in 2009 to include access for all Suites and First Class passengers. It features a restaurant as well as two private rooms, as well as lounge facilities, business centre, and a buffet and dining room.[120]

KrisFlyer Gold Lounge[edit]

The KrisFlyer Gold Lounges are located in Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 of Changi Airport adjacent to the Silver Kris Lounges and are accessible by departing KrisFlyer Gold members as well as Star Alliance Gold members travelling in economy class on Singapore Airlines or other Star Alliance flights.[121] The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge features buffet and dining areas, televisions, lounge areas, Internet workstations as well as complimentary wireless internet, but unlike the SilverKris Lounge, does not feature bathrooms or showers.[122]

Frequent flyer programme[edit]

Singapore Airlines' frequent flyer programme, has two[123][124] categories:

KrisFlyer[edit]

Miles are earned and redeemed on Singapore Airlines own services as well as with Krisflyer partners. Partners include all Star Alliance members, SilkAir, Virgin Atlantic Virgin Australia, Air India, and numerous hotel chains and car-hire companies.[125] KrisFlyer is divided into KrisFlyer, KrisFlyer Elite Silver and KrisFlyer Elite Gold, which correspond to Star Alliance Silver and Gold, respectively.

Elite Silver[126] and Elite Gold[127] status is given to passengers who have accrued 25,000 and 50,000 miles (80,000 km), respectively, within a 12-month period. The 12-month period is predefined according to when a passenger initially applied for KrisFlyer membership, so travelling 25,000 miles (40,000 km) over a 12-month period may not qualify for Silver status unless it corresponds with the 12-month period assigned to them by Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines flights in booking class G (group and promotional fares) and SilkAir flights in booking classes W and L earn no miles, while Singapore Airlines flights in booking classes V, Q, N and T (promotional fares) will receive between 10% to 50% of mileage[128][129]

The PPS Club[edit]

Priority Passenger Service (PPS)[130] is for passengers who have accumulated S$25,000 worth of PPS Value within a year.[131] PPS Value is acquired while flying Singapore Airlines Suites, First Class or Business Class on Singapore Airlines, or Business Class on SilkAir. The PPS is divided into the PPS Club, Solitaire PPS Club and the Solitaire PPS Club Life.[132]

A member with PPS Club status will qualify for Solitaire PPS Club by accumulating PPS Value of S$250,000 within five years.[132] The Solitaire Life PPS Club status was formerly given to members who accrued a total of 1,875,000 miles (3,018,000 km) or 1,000 PPS sectors. Benefits are equal to Solitaire PPS Club members but did not have a re-qualification criteria.[132] Singapore Airlines has since ceased accepting new Solitaire Life PPS Club members.[133]

All PPS members have priority check-in, baggage handling, guaranteed Economy Class seats when wait-listed on Business and First Class and have access to the business-class section of the Silver Kris Lounge. Solitaire PPS members and their spouses also access First Class check-in and the First Class sections of Silver Kris Lounge.[citation needed]

Marketing and sponsorships[edit]

SIA has been the main sponsor of the Singapore Airlines International Cup, a Group 1 flat horse race, since its inception in 2000.

In April 2014, SIA announced that it has signed an agreement with the Formula One Group to be the Title Sponsor of the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, taking over from Singtel.[134]

Incidents and accidents[edit]

Singapore Airlines Boeing 747-400 9V-SPK involved in Singapore Airlines Flight 006

This covers Singapore Airlines flights; for incidents relating to SilkAir see that article.

  • 26 March 1991 – Singapore Airlines Flight 117, an Airbus A310-300 was hijacked by Pakistani militants en route from Kuala Lumpur International Airport to Singapore Changi International Airport, where it was stormed by the Singapore Special Operations Force. All of the hijackers were killed in the operation, with no fatalities amongst the passengers and crew.
  • 21 July 1997 - a Singapore Airlines Learjet 31 9V-ATD plane carrying a trainee pilot and instructor travelling from Phuket to Ranong crashed into high terrain. The instructor misread the Ranong DME thereby causing the trainee pilot to descend below minimum altitude.
  • 31 October 2000 – Singapore Airlines Flight 006, a Boeing 747-400, crashed on takeoff from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, previously Taiwan Chiang-Kai-Shek Airport, when it tried to depart for Los Angeles International Airport and collided with construction equipment that had been parked on a closed runway. The crash killed 83 of the 179 onboard and injured a further 71 people. SQ006 was the first and only fatal crash of a Singapore Airlines aircraft. The accident aircraft 9V-SPK was painted in a "Tropical" promotional livery at the time of the accident.[135] 9V-SPL, the only other aircraft painted with the promotional livery, was immediately removed from service and repainted with standard Singapore Airlines livery.
  • 12 March 2003 – Singapore Airlines Flight 286, a Boeing 747-400 departing Auckland, New Zealand for Singapore suffered a serious tailstrike on take-off causing major damage to the tail section of the aircraft. The aircraft returned safely to Auckland.[136] The tail strike occurred because the rotation speed had been mistakenly calculated for an aircraft weighing 100 tonnes less than the actual weight of the aircraft.[137]
  • On 27 September 2009 Singapore Airlines Flight 333, an Airbus A380 fitted with four Trent 972 engines manufactured by Rolls-Royce, suffered an engine shutdown almost three hours after taking off from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport en route to Singapore. The flight returned to Paris and landed safely, with all passengers and crew on board surviving uninjured. This is the first time a mechanical malfunction has forced an Airbus A380 to make an emergency landing.
  • 31 January 2011 - Singapore Airlines Flight 856 took off from Singapore and arrived uneventfully in Hong Kong. An Airbus A380 was in cruise when there was sudden loud bang and signs of associated electrical smoke and burning in a toilet compartment. After a fire extinguisher had been discharged, there were no further signs of fire or smoke. Investigators found signs of burning below the toilet floor and it was concluded that excessive current caused by a short circuit which had resulted from a degraded cable. All passengers and crew were successfully evacuated with no serious injuries.
  • 14 August 20, 2013 - Singapore Airlines Flight 285 was a Boeing 777-300 departing from Singapore to Auckland. It dropped one of its slate panels some time during the flight with no passengers noticing. The aircraft continue to New Zealand for safe landing. The airline confirmed the issue and said that it never posed a danger to the aircraft or its passengers. The aircraft was taken out of service until a spare part was flown in.
  • 6 January 2014 – Singapore Airlines Flight 317, an Airbus A380 plane flying from London to Singapore was forced to make an emergency landing in Azerbaijan due to a drop in cabin pressure. Oxygen masks were deployed. A faulty door seal is currently the focus of the investigation. There were no injuries among the passengers or crew.


See also[edit]

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