Paul Lewis/TOULOUSE
SINGAPORE Airlines (SIA), has outlined a need, for an initial six new 500- to 600-seat, ultra-high capacity-type aircraft, now being studied by Airbus Industrie and Boeing.
"We need around six to start with," says SIA managing director Cheong Choon Kong. "It does not make sense to operate a fleet of less than six aircraft...and, of course, the need would increase with time."
SIA is following closely the proposed development of both the Boeing 747-500X/600X longer-range and stretch derivatives and the rival Airbus Industrie A3XX. While the airline has not publicly voiced a preference for either aircraft, the earlier entry-into-service date for the 747-500X/600X is likely to prove decisive.
"There are many factors in the decision, concerning the choice of aircraft and it wouldn't be honest of me to say, time isn't one of them" says Cheong, adding that "...they can't come soon enough."
The airline requires the aircraft to serve its higher-density medium- and long-range routes, such as London, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Sydney. It would also help to get around airport congestion, by allowing for a reduction in frequencies, suggests Cheong.
SIA, in the meantime, is to increase frequencies on some thinner-capacity routes with the introduction of its first two higher-gross-weight A340-300Es. The carrier has ordered a total of 17, including four more for delivery this year, plus options on a further 20 A340/330s.
The new 276-seat A340 version will initially be used to serve Bangkok, Jakarta, Melbourne and, later, Sydney. It replaces the 747 on the two latter Australian routes and increases frequencies from five times a week to daily flights.
SIA's A340-300Es have initially been approved for a maximum take-off weight of 271t, but this will increase from the end of May to 275t with a change in certification paperwork.
The extra weight will provide for an extra 3,000litres of fuel and a slightly longer range of 13,500km (7,300nm), permitting direct non-stop A340 daily service to Paris to start from October.
Source: Flight International
