SINGAPORE Airlines’ (SQ)
regional airline, SilkAir, is
to merge with its parent
company over the next
decade after undergoing a
major cabin upgrade.
The US$100 million
(R1,4bn) upgrade will
commence in 2020 and
introduce new lie-flat seats
in business class and seatback
in-flight entertainment
systems in all cabins. This
will mean closer product
consistency with Singapore
Airlines aircraft.
It is also expected that
there will be transfers of
routes and aircraft between
the different airlines as part
of SQ’s ongoing efforts to
optimise its network.
SilkAir’s network is mostly
across Asia and south-east
Asia, operating a fleet of 11
Airbus A320s, 22 Boeing
737-800s and B737 MAX 8
aircraft but is transitioning
to an all B737 fleet.
Sally George, market
development manager for
Singapore Airlines, says
the upgrade and ultimate
merger will be beneficial to
agents as SQ will be able
to offer a more consistent
product across all legs of
the passenger’s journey.
“There will be no change
in our fare structure as
SilkAir destinations have
been included in our
market fares for years,”
she adds.
