All posts tagged: Singapore Airlines

Commentary: The more pertinent question is not whether SIA should exit the Air India partnership

Commentary: The more pertinent question is not whether SIA should exit the Air India partnership

Published by Sam Flores

SIA’s management must articulate the case clearly to its shareholders and the public here. Has its assessment of the long-term value of the Air India partnership changed? What milestones should be set to judge whether the investment is delivering on its original expectations? What kind of control will it take in the airline’s operations to ensure that its goals are met? How much operational control is Tata willing to give, and how much is the Indian government willing to tolerate? How willing they are to let SIA take the lead in its proven area of expertise and do whatever it takes to transform Air India will be telling. Staying the course on Air India does not mean just injecting more funds. SIA must be satisfied – and satisfy its shareholders – that the partnership is on track. While things may look dire, Air India is not a lost cause either. Three months ago, the Indian carrier received a Skytrax 4-Star Airline Rating – on par with leading international carriers. Despite the financial difficulties, it is …

Widow of British passenger who died after SQ321 turbulence sues Singapore Airlines

Widow of British passenger who died after SQ321 turbulence sues Singapore Airlines

Published by Sam Flores

SINGAPORE: The wife of a British passenger who died after severe turbulence struck Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight SQ321 in May 2024 has begun legal proceedings against the carrier in Britain, seeking damages after she suffered serious spinal injuries in the incident. Linda Kitchen, 74, broke her back during the flight and has begun High Court proceedings seeking damages to help her access specialist support for her recovery, the BBC reported. Her husband Geoff Kitchen, 73, had also died on the flight. Citing High Court papers, two claims were filed by the Kitchen family, The Independent reported – one by Mrs Kitchen and another brought by her on behalf of her husband’s estate. Court records also showed several other passengers taking legal action against SIA, including Bradley Richards, Jack Jenkins, Hannah Fullerton, Andrew Dawood, Bryan Matthews, and Pauline and Michael Rainey, according to The Independent. Responding to queries from CNA, SIA on Saturday (Aug 29) said it was unable to comment on matters which are before the courts. Mrs Kitchen and her husband were beginning a …

Pilots reminded to take more cautious approach near weather after turbulence injures crew on SIA, Scoot flights

Pilots reminded to take more cautious approach near weather after turbulence injures crew on SIA, Scoot flights

Published by Sam Flores

SCOOT INCIDENT In the other incident, a Scoot flight bound for Guangzhou on Jun 9, 2025, encountered turbulence while cruising over international waters in the Ho Chi Minh flight information region. The plane had been cruising for about 50 minutes when its speed began to creep upwards. Concerned that this signalled turbulence ahead, the flight crew intended to request permission from Ho Chi Minh air traffic control to deviate to the right of their flight path, but were unable to do so due to heavy radio traffic. The pilot believed the plane could fly through a green patch of weather returns that radar indicated contained light precipitation, which is generally considered safe to pass through. As a precaution, the fasten seat belt sign was turned on to get passengers seated. Before the pilot could ask the cabin crew to suspend services and get seated, the plane was hit by about 32 seconds of turbulence. “During the onset of the turbulence, some of the cabin crew members were lifted off momentarily and fell back onto the …

Commentary: Singapore Airlines’ Indian ambition has an Air India problem

Commentary: Singapore Airlines’ Indian ambition has an Air India problem

Published by Sam Flores

STAKEHOLDERS NEED REASSURANCES This argument alone will not convince stakeholders, especially those who already think SIA should cut its losses.  If it coughs up the cash, SIA should attach more conditions to the injection, such as more control and oversight over Air India’s strategy and operations. To enhance reliability and quality of service delivery, SIA could also demand that AI buy into its maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities, and service standard offerings.  Reports from India suggest that moves are already underway in this direction, and that SIA officials are taking a more hands-on approach to operations. SIA shareholders would also want more reassurance about any intervention – whether there is any matrix or timeline to measure recovery, or an exit strategy. They will want to know whether, and for how long, Air India will be an overhang on SIA’s share price.  Another safeguard could be for funding to be limited and proportionate to performance recovery. Also, SIA will need to be upfront about what this potentially huge capital injection means for its own financial resilience, …