SIA Group has ‘levers we can pull’ to manage delivery delays: CEO

Singapore Airlines Group has contingency plans in place in light of aircraft delivery delays, such as with Boeing’s 777X programme, says chief executive Goh Choon Phong. 

Speaking at the airline’s half-year briefing, Goh acknowledges the ongoing delays in the programme, which will see the first 777-9 only enter commercial service in 2026. 

While he did not indicate when SIA will take its first 777-9 – citing confidential discussions with Boeing – he says the airline has “levers we can pull…to make up for any capacity short-fall”. 

“We usually will have some messaging from Boeing about the expectations [of delivery].  The way we have been planning has been to look at what Boeing tells us, [and then]…plan for something that could essentially be worse than that,” Goh says. 

SIA is a major customer of the 777X programme, with 31 -9s on order. The Star Alliance operator had previously said that it’s first example would arrive in 2025. 

In his briefing, Goh flagged supply chain issues and delivery delays as key challenges. 

The 777-9 was the aircraft of choice for SIA to debut its next-generation cabin products. However, the airline is now retrofitting its long-range A350s with new cabin products similar to the ones aboard the 777-9, with the first upgraded -900 will be ready in the second quarter of 2026. 

The 777-9 is not the only delay the SIA Group is managing. The group’s fleet forecast indicates it will end the financial year (on 31 March 2025) with five fewer aircraft than previously intended. The shortfall comprises two 737 Max 8s for mainline operator SIA, as well as two 787s and an A320neo for low-cost unit Scoot. 

These five aircraft are expected to be delivered over the next fiscal year, which begins 1 April 2025, says SIA divisional vice president for financial services Balagopal Kunduvara. 

This means the group will end the financial year with 204 aircraft, with one A350-900 – the group’s last A350 on order – and three Embraer E190 E2s delivered. A pair of 737-800s from SIA and three A320ceos from Scoot will exit the fleet to be returned to lessors.