Singapore Airlines’ latest disappointing financial results are ringing the alarm bells (“Singapore Airlines disappoints“, 20th May, 13). At first glance, Singapore Airlines (SIA) posted a 12.8% increase in FY2012/13 full-year profit to S$379 million (US$299.8 million) from S$335.9 million in the prior fiscal year on a 1.4% rise in revenue to S$15.1 billion from S$14.86 billion a year earlier. The operating profit for its namesake unit also improved by 3.3% …Read More
Tag Archives: Tiger Airways
Singapore Airlines disappoints
Singapore Airlines (SIA) prefaced its report on its annual performance for FY2012/13 with attribution to high fuel prices and lower yields owing to a weak global economy for its lacklustre results. The announcement concluded with an equally dismal outlook, saying very much the same thing, warning that “the global economic outlook remains uncertain with the ongoing weakness in the eurozone and sluggish recovery in the United States” and that “yields …Read More
The best is yet to come for Virgin Australia
Time flies. Three years into chief executive John Borghetti’s “Game Change” programme which has now evolved into the “Game On” phase, Australia’s second-largest carrier Virgin Australia transformed itself into a very different animal. Having uprooted from being a low-cost carrier (LCC) as Virgin Blue, the Brisbane-based carrier is now embarking on a portfolio strategy that promises to compete fiercely with flag carrier Qantas Airways in every single segment in the …Read More
Is Qantas back on track?
Judging by its FY2012/13 first half performance, Qantas looks like it is back on track. The Australian flag carrier reported a net group profit of A$111 million (US$114 million), which is almost triple last year’s A$42 million. This was achieved in spite of the continuing show of red ink for its international operations, which one may even say was an impressive result considering the reduced losses of A$91 million from …Read More
Qantas, Virgin Australia face new industry normal
It is back to the future. In the movie the protagonist goes back to the past to seek guidance for the future. The same holds true for the Australian aviation market. Since the collapse of Ansett Australia in 2001, coupled with the proposed acquisition of Tiger Airways Australia by Virgin Australia, which is still subject to the regulatory approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) whose final decision …Read More
Singapore Airlines at a crossroads
2012 was a significant year for Singapore Airlines (SIA) which saw the Singaporean flag carrier embark on a shift in strategy in reinvesting in its namesake unit alongside strengthening its strategic partnership with Virgin Australia by acquiring a 10% stake in a carrier well positioned in one of SIA’s most important core markets, in addition to the sale of its 49% stake in United Kingdom carrier Virgin Atlantic. These moves, coupled …Read More
Delta’s interest in Virgin Atlantic starts a British war
The interest of the world’s second-largest carrier, Delta Air Lines in Virgin Atlantic has certainly caused some excitement in the aviation scene, if not started a British war between old rivals International Airlines Group (IAG) chief executive Willie Walsh and Virgin Group chief executive Richard Branson. The following looks at what the deal means to each of the key players, including those on the sideline. Singapore Airlines Delta has reached …Read More
A tale of three airlines in a rough year: SIA, Cathay and Qantas
It has not been a good year for Singapore Airlines (SIA), Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas – these three airlines that are the closest rivals in the Asia/Pacific region. What they do usually make headline aviation news, whether in shaping up the competition or feeding the gossip mill, and the airlines themselves most probably are keeping a close watch of one another’s moves. It is a year that they share …Read More
Tiger Airways-Scoot tie-up: Time to redefine sibling airline roles
Singapore Airlines (SIA) may be caught in a bind with one too many carriers in its stable. SIA wholly-owned regional carrier SilkAir and the newly inaugurated budget carrier Scoot Airlines, and has a stake of close to 33% in budget carrier Tiger Airways. While analysts applaud a possible tie-up between Tiger Airways and Scoot as a positive move in rationalising their operations, what more than meets the eye is the cause …Read More
Singapore Airlines needs fresh injection of excitement
At last, some positive vibes from Singapore Airlines (SIA) as it announced plans to develop the next generation of in-flight cabin products to be introduced in the latter half of next year – a move that it says in a statement issued by the airline will help it “remain at the forefront of airline product innovation.” Cabin interiors, seats and the in-flight entertainment system will be revamped. It was 6 …Read More