ID :
14047
Mon, 07/28/2008 - 10:13
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http://m.oananews.org//node/14047
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Singapore Airlines to increase operation in India
Manash Pratim Bhuyan Singapore, Jul 28 (PTI) At a time when skyrocketing fuel prices have forced many leading carriers across the world to cut down operations, Singapore Airlines has announced plans to double the frequency of its flights to New Delhi and Bangaloreas part of its aggressive expansion plan in India.
The airline has also introduced its latest award winning cabin products on New Delhi-Singapore and Mumbai-Singapore routes to offer Indian travellers the best possible luxuriesas part of its "long-term" strategy in the country.
"For the current year we hope to be able to increase our flights to New Delhi and Bangalore," Singapore Airlines' Regional Vice President (West Asia and Africa) Lee Lik Hsinsaid here.
Lee, who looks after the carrier's operation in India as well, said the Governments of Singapore and India will have to clear the regulatory approval to increase flights to the twoIndian cities.
Singapore Airlines General Manager in India C. W. Foo said the carrier plans to introduce seven more weekly flights to Singapore from India -- five from Delhi and two from Bangalore -- increasing the number to 14 and 12 from the twodestinations respectively.
Asked how the airline was managing to carry out expansion plans at a time when high fuel prices have been wreaking havoc in the aviation industry, Lee said India was very important for the carrier and it did not want short-term fluctuations toaffect its long term strategies in the country.
"India is a very important market for us. We believe inplanning for the long term. Airline industry witnesses cycles.
Currently it is undergoing a cycle where cost is a bit of an issue. But regardless of the current surge in aviation fuel, we think in the long term strategy. I think India is a marketthat can take the growth," he told PTI.
"So we will manage the short term fluctuations and willnot let them dictate our long term strategy," he said.
Qantas, China Airlines, Delta, Spanair, British Airways and Norwegian Air are among the carriers to cut routes inrecent weeks.
Foo said the carrier has also introduced its best luxury products on two Indian routes as the country stood very highon its list of priority markets across the world.
"India is very important for us. It is one of the top five markets for us. India has most Singapore Airlines cities amongst our network. We have operations in eight Indiancities. That's the most," Foo said.
Available on the new B777-300 aircraft flying to Singapore from New Delhi and Mumbai, the new cabin products were developed by the carrier along with London-based leading transportation interior designer James Park Associates at aninvestment of USD 360 million.
The new 278-seater, which has replaced Boeing 777-300 on the route, features fully flat bed cum seats in First Class and Business Class, more spacious Economy Class seats as well as a cutting edge inflight entertainment system featuring thewidest TV screens ever seen in all three classes, Foo said.
Foo said newly introduced Business Class seat, measuring30-inches, is the world's widest business class product.
Besides, the new cabin products are complemented by furnishings and amenities designed by premier fashion house,Givenchy.
Singapore Airlines, which started operations in India in 1970, operates 58 weekly flights to eight destinations in India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad. PTI
The airline has also introduced its latest award winning cabin products on New Delhi-Singapore and Mumbai-Singapore routes to offer Indian travellers the best possible luxuriesas part of its "long-term" strategy in the country.
"For the current year we hope to be able to increase our flights to New Delhi and Bangalore," Singapore Airlines' Regional Vice President (West Asia and Africa) Lee Lik Hsinsaid here.
Lee, who looks after the carrier's operation in India as well, said the Governments of Singapore and India will have to clear the regulatory approval to increase flights to the twoIndian cities.
Singapore Airlines General Manager in India C. W. Foo said the carrier plans to introduce seven more weekly flights to Singapore from India -- five from Delhi and two from Bangalore -- increasing the number to 14 and 12 from the twodestinations respectively.
Asked how the airline was managing to carry out expansion plans at a time when high fuel prices have been wreaking havoc in the aviation industry, Lee said India was very important for the carrier and it did not want short-term fluctuations toaffect its long term strategies in the country.
"India is a very important market for us. We believe inplanning for the long term. Airline industry witnesses cycles.
Currently it is undergoing a cycle where cost is a bit of an issue. But regardless of the current surge in aviation fuel, we think in the long term strategy. I think India is a marketthat can take the growth," he told PTI.
"So we will manage the short term fluctuations and willnot let them dictate our long term strategy," he said.
Qantas, China Airlines, Delta, Spanair, British Airways and Norwegian Air are among the carriers to cut routes inrecent weeks.
Foo said the carrier has also introduced its best luxury products on two Indian routes as the country stood very highon its list of priority markets across the world.
"India is very important for us. It is one of the top five markets for us. India has most Singapore Airlines cities amongst our network. We have operations in eight Indiancities. That's the most," Foo said.
Available on the new B777-300 aircraft flying to Singapore from New Delhi and Mumbai, the new cabin products were developed by the carrier along with London-based leading transportation interior designer James Park Associates at aninvestment of USD 360 million.
The new 278-seater, which has replaced Boeing 777-300 on the route, features fully flat bed cum seats in First Class and Business Class, more spacious Economy Class seats as well as a cutting edge inflight entertainment system featuring thewidest TV screens ever seen in all three classes, Foo said.
Foo said newly introduced Business Class seat, measuring30-inches, is the world's widest business class product.
Besides, the new cabin products are complemented by furnishings and amenities designed by premier fashion house,Givenchy.
Singapore Airlines, which started operations in India in 1970, operates 58 weekly flights to eight destinations in India, including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Kolkata and Hyderabad. PTI
