Singapore Airlines expects double-digit growth in India pax

Singapore Airlines expects double-digit growth in passenger numbers in India this financial year (UNI, 24-Sep-2010). The carrier plans to gradually deploy A330 aircraft on the India routes, to replace B777 equipment. SIA will deploy a new A330 on its four times weekly Singapore-Kolkata service from 01-Oct-2010 (The Hindu Business Line/mydigitalfc.com, 24-Sep-2010). SIA is also focussing on cabin enhancements to attract passengers. General Manager India, Foo Chai Woo, stated that although corporate passengers are its core business in India and globally, the carrier's "strategy is to make a balance between corporate and leisure traffic". SIA expects to obtain new landing rights in the country by next year, with Singapore and India's governments in talks to expand air service rights between the countries.

Singapore Airlines: "In the last six months aviation industry globally has grown at a rate of 30% following downturn in FY09. The market in India is expected to grow at a rate of 15% in the current financial year, and we are eyeing at a double-digit growth in the country during this period … Currently we have 70 Boeing 777 aircraft, which will be replaced gradually. 19 new A330 aircraft will be coming soon, the replacement process has already started," Foo Chai Woo, General Manager India. Source: The Hindu Business Line, 24-Sep-2010.