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Aviation in Singapore is a key component of the Singaporean economy. Besides currently the sixth busiest airport and the fourth busiest air cargo hub in Asia, the Singaporean aviation industry is also a significant aerospace maintenance, repair and overhaul centre.
The aviation industry is a significant contributor to the Singapore economy. [1] In 2009, it contributed S$14.2 billion (5.4%) in direct and in-direct value-add to the Singaporean GDP. This included S$8.7 billion of direct contribution from the sector, S$3.1 billion through indirect contributions from the sector's supply chain and S$2.4 billion from consumer spending by employees of the aviation sector and its supply chain. 58,000 direct jobs were available in the industry, rising to 119,000 jobs if the entire supply chain is included. Out of the 58,000 direct jobs, aerospace manufacturing companies employed approximately 18,000 people, airline companies employed 15,000, while 24,000 worked in the airports and ground service companies. The sector also directly contributed S$1.5 billion in taxes in 2009.[ citation needed ]
Airlines registered in Singapore were also major contributors to the economy, employing over 15,000 in Singapore and providing a further 11,000 jobs in the supply chain in 2009. Overall, these airlines contribute over S$5.5 billion to the economy and supported 34,000 jobs in Singapore.[ citation needed ]
In 1937, the Wearne Brothers launched the first commercial air service between Singapore and Malaya. It was called Wearne Air Services. On 28 June 1937, a de Havilland Dragon Rapide aircraft, the Governor Raffles, took off from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur and Penang. It was the inaugural commercial air service between these three cities by Wearnes Air Services. The WAS services ceased with the onset of World War II Japanese occupation of Malaya and Singapore. After the war, the air service was not continued.
Malayan Airways Limited (MAL) was established on 1 May 1947, by the Ocean Steamship Company of Liverpool, the Straits Steamship Company of Singapore and Imperial Airways. The airline's first flight was a chartered flight from the British Straits Settlement of Singapore to Kuala Lumpur on 2 April 1947 using an Airspeed Consul twin-engined aeroplane. Regular weekly scheduled flights quickly followed from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang from 1 May 1947 with the same aircraft type. The airline continued to expand during the rest of the 1940s and 1950s, as other British Commonwealth airlines (such as BOAC and Qantas Empire Airways) provided technical assistance, as well as assistance in joining IATA. By 1955, Malayan Airways' fleet had grown to include a large number of Douglas DC-3s, and went public in 1957. Other aircraft operated in the first two decades included the Douglas C-54 Skymaster, the Vickers Viscount, the Lockheed 1049 Super Constellation, the Bristol Britannia, de Havilland Comet 4 and the Fokker F27. In 1957, the airline became a state-run stock corporation.
When Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak formed the Federation of Malaysia in 1963, the airline's name was changed, from "Malayan Airways" to "Malaysian Airways". MAL also took over Borneo Airways. In 1966, following Singapore's separation from the federation, the airline's name was changed again, to Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). The next year saw a rapid expansion in the airline's fleet and route, including the purchase of MSA's first Boeing aircraft, the Boeing 707s, as well the completion of a new high-rise headquarters in Singapore. Boeing 737s were added to the fleet soon after.
MSA ceased operations in 1972, when political disagreements between Singapore and Malaysia resulted in the formation of two entities: Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines System. Singapore Airlines kept all 10 of MSA's Boeing 707s and 737s, retained the international routes out of Singapore as well as the existing corporate headquarters in the city, with J.Y. Pillay, former joint chief of MSA as its first chairperson. Female flight attendants continued to wear the sarong kebaya uniform, which had been first introduced in 1968. A local start-up advertising company, Batey Ads, was given the right to market the airline, eventually selecting the sarong and kebaya-clad air stewardesses as an icon for the airline and calling them Singapore Girls.
As a result of an almost non-existent domestic market, Singapore has to place immediate emphasis on opening up the international market for its own airlines, as well as to allow foreign airlines to establish operations there. Singapore has Air Services Agreements with over 90 countries and territories, [2] and has the most liberal aviation policy in Southeast Asia [3] It has been an active advocate of open skies, and has concluded over 30 Open Skies Agreements, 18 of which are in the European Union, two in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, five out of six members of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, two in the Union of South American Nations and four members of the Pacific Islands Forum.
On 9 June 2006, it became the first Asian country to conclude a "horizontal" aviation agreement with the European Union. [4] [5] On 2 October 2007, Singapore became the second country to be allowed cabotage rights within the United Kingdom in a fully liberal aviation agreement. [6] Singapore was also the first Asian country to conclude an Open Skies Agreement with the United States in 1997, [7] and has significant liberal agreements with the United Arab Emirates.
Air service rights between Singapore-based carriers are allocated by the Air Traffic Rights Committee, established on 3 October 2003 in reaction to the awarding of multiple Air Operators Certificates in Singapore. [8] The ATRC allocates air rights with a five-year validity. Unused rights for periods exceeding six months rights awarded but subsequently unable to meet pre-determined performance criteria will be returned to the pool for reallocation. Incumbent Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary airlines were allowed to retain all of their existing rights up to 2013, after which they will also carry a five-year validity and be subjected to the "use-it-or-lose-it" principle.
Country | Concluded | Effective | Rights | Source |
---|---|---|---|---|
Albania | 19 January 2015 | [9] | ||
Austria | ||||
Bahrain | 7 April 2005 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [10] | |
Barbados | 17 July 2013 | [11] [12] | ||
Belgium | ||||
Belize | 11 May 2017 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [13] | |
Brunei Darussalam | 1 May 2001 27 December 2004 | 21 December 2001 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [14] [15] |
Bulgaria | 22 October 2009 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [16] | |
Burundi | 16 February 2016 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [17] | |
Chile | 1 May 2001 | 9 April 2002 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [14] |
Cook Islands | 23 July 2006 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [18] | |
Costa Rica | [19] | |||
Czech Republic | 19 January 2009 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [20] | |
Denmark | 29 January 2008 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [21] | |
Finland | ||||
Germany | ||||
Iceland | 23 January 2009 | 1st to 7th freedoms | [22] | |
Ireland | 13 December 2006 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [23] | |
Kuwait | 4 November 2008 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [24] | |
Lithuania | 20 October 2009 | 1st to 7th freedoms | [25] | |
Luxembourg | ||||
Malta | 8 August 2008 | 1 December 2010 | 1st to 7th freedoms | [26] |
New Zealand | 1 May 2001 | 21 December 2001 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [14] |
Norway | 29 January 2008 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [27] | |
Oman | 20 January 2009 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [28] | |
Peru | 27 August 2009 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [29] | |
Portugal | 27 February 2008 | 2010 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [30] |
Qatar | 1988 | |||
Romania | 27 November 2008 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [31] | |
Samoa | 9 November 2002 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [18] | |
Slovakia | 22 November 2007 | 22 November 2007 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [32] |
Slovenia | ||||
Solomon Islands | 16 February 2016 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [17] | |
Spain | ||||
Sri Lanka | 1 October 2003 4 August 2005 | 1st to 7th freedoms | [33] [34] [35] | |
Sweden | 29 January 2008 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [27] | |
Thailand | 27 December 2004 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [15] | |
Tonga | 20 January 2004 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [18] | |
United Arab Emirates | 26 February 2004 | 1st to 9th freedoms | [36] | |
United Kingdom | 2 October 2007 | March 2008 | 1st to 9th freedoms | [37] |
United States | 1 May 2001 | 21 December 2001 | 1st to 6th freedoms; 7th freedom for cargo only | [14] [38] |
Uruguay | 2 October 2013 | [39] | ||
Zambia | 27 November 2008 | 1st to 6th freedoms | [31] |
Singapore has attempted to conclude an open skies agreement with Australia since 1996, but was met with numerous obstacles. [40] [41] [42] [43] There are similar hurdles trying to conclude OSAs with other countries such as Indonesia [44] and the Philippines, [45] mostly due to protectionist stances and a fear that it will not be a balanced agreement. [46]
Country | Latest conclusion | Rights | Source |
---|---|---|---|
Australia | 23 September 2003 | All destinations (Unlimited passenger/cargo; unlimited via most intermediate points; 5th freedom except to US) | [47] |
Brazil | 29 June 2010 | All destinations (Unlimited passenger/cargo via any intermediate points), 5th freedom passenger and cargo to any destination | [48] |
Canada | 7 November 2007 | All destinations (Unlimited passenger/cargo via selected intermediate points) | [49] |
China | 30 November 2005 | All destinations (Unlimited passenger/cargo, 5th freedom cargo to selected destinations) | [50] |
Colombia | 27 August 2009 | All destinations (8 passenger; 8 cargo; to increase to 14 each by January 2011) | [29] |
Ecuador | 27 August 2009 | All destinations (56, 5th freedom passenger; unlimited, 7th freedom cargo) | [29] |
France | 29 November 2002 | Paris (7) | [51] |
Greece | 8 June 2006 | [52] | |
Japan | 19 September 2008 | Tokyo-Haneda (28), Tokyo-Narita (5th freedom to US), all other destinations (Unlimited passenger/cargo; 5th freedom passenger flights to US via Osaka and Nagoya) | [53] |
Kenya | 18 January 2010 | All destinations (Unlimited; 5th freedom with some restrictions) | [54] |
Malaysia | 14 April 2009 | Alor Setar (28), Bintulu (28), Ipoh (42), Labuan (28), Kerteh (28), Kota Bahru (28), Kota Kinabalu (42), Kuala Lumpur (Unlimited), Kuala Terengganu (28), Kuantan (28), Kuching (42) Langkawi (42), Malacca (28), Miri (28) Penang (70), Sandakan (28), Sibu (28), Tawau (28); unlimited cargo rights to all listed destinations | [55] |
Philippines | 8 May 2009 | Cebu, Davao, Manila, Manila-Clark (with 5th freedom except to Canada/US) | [56] |
Saudi Arabia | 22 August 2008 | Dammam (Unlimited), (14; 5th freedom to selected destinations) | [57] |
Ukraine | 2 June 2024 | All destinations (Unlimited) | [58] |
Figures in brackets refer to maximum frequencies per week.
There was much difficulties in attempts to open up the Singapore-Malaysia sector, [59] [60] until 2008.
Partly in response from competition from AirAsia based in neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore-based low-cost airlines only began to operate from the year 2004 when Valuair launched its maiden flight on 5 May 2004. In rapid succession, two of the largest airlines operating out of Singapore Changi Airport began operating their competing carriers, namely Singapore Airlines' Tiger Airways and Qantas' Jetstar Asia Airways, who began commercial flights on 15 September 2004 and 25 November 2004 respectively. A planned Singapore-affiliated airline by AirAsia was scuttled when it failed to obtain an air operator's certificate from the Singaporean authorities, possibly in retaliation to the Indonesian ban on all new low-cost flights into the country by non-Indonesian carriers. [61]
The physical size of Singapore meant practically all low-cost air routes have to be international in nature, imposing greater risks on the airlines with the greater dependence on aviation negotiations between Singapore and its markets. With relatively limited air rights on offer in the Southeast Asian region, the three airlines had to contend with flying to a select number of destinations where air rights are available, resulting in intense, direct competition on specific routes. The Singapore-Bangkok sector, for example, saw all three Singapore-based carriers, as well as AirAsia flying the route prior to market consolidation. The airlines were able to take advantage of subsequent liberation of air rights between Singapore, Brunei and Thailand [62] in late 2004, although key destinations such as Kuala Lumpur remain closed to all low-cost airlines.
With soaring fuel prices, limited markets, and the impact from the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, the low-cost aviation industry went into a consolidation phase, with Valuair, the only low-cost airline without a major stakeholder, becoming the first casualty when it was merged with Jetstar Asia Airways on 24 July 2005. The airline was still operated like a separate airline, however, due to regulatory restrictions on its flights to Indonesia, where Jetstar Asia had no access after the Indonesian ban.
The fiscal fortunes of the two remaining players began to diverge, however, when it became apparent that Jetstar Asia was struggling, while Tiger Airways was doing relatively well.
Keen interest by low-cost carriers to serve the highly protected Singapore-Kuala Lumpur market was one of the primary reasons in bringing forward a partial liberation of the route despite possible business impact particular on Malaysia Airlines. Both countries inked an agreement on 23 November 2007 to allow up to two flights a day for low-cost carriers from each country from 1 February 2008. The route will be fully liberalised on 1 December 2008, with a possibility of opening up other routes between Singapore and secondary Malaysian cities in planned meetings in early 2008. [63]
Based out of Seletar Airport (WSSL), Singapore provides the South East Asian hub for corporate aircraft sales and servicing. Although presently limited by runway length for operations of ultra-long range aircraft, Seletar offers corporate aircraft owners limited access to Singapore and to manufacturer approved service centres, such as Jet Aviation (for Gulfstream Aerospace, Bombardier and Cessna) and Hawker Pacific (Hawker Beechcraft and Dassault Falcon). Seletar airport is open 24 hours a day.
Seletar is also the home base for several smaller charter aircraft operations serving regional corporate travel and aeromedical evacuations as well as charter brokers such as Singapore Aviation [64] and aviation consultancies specialising in regional aircraft ownership and operation Asian Corporate Aviation Management Asia Corporate Jet. [65] [66]
In September 2017, Zetta Jet USA, Inc., an affiliate of Singapore-based Zetta Jet, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in Los Angeles, California. The company has been focused on long-haul, luxury air charter. [67]
Security for the country's three international passenger airports comes under the purview of the Airport Police Division of the Singapore Police Force, although resources are concentrated at Singapore Changi Airport where scheduled passenger traffic dominates. Seletar Airport, which specialises in handling non-scheduled and training flights, is seen as posing less of a security issue. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks, and the naming of Changi Airport as a terrorism target by the Jemaah Islamiyah, the airport's security has been stepped up. Roving patrol teams composed of two soldiers and a police officer armed with machine guns patrol the terminals at random.
Assisting the state organisations, are the security services provided by the ground handlers, namely that of the Singapore Airport Terminal Services's SATS Security Services, and the Aetos Security Management Private Limited, formed from a merger of the Changi International Airport Services's airport security unit and that of other companies to become a single island-wide auxiliary police company. These officers man check-in counters to screen luggage, control movements into restricted areas, and so forth.
Since 2005, an upgrade in screening technology and rising security concerns led to all luggage-screening processes to be conducted behind closed-doors. Plans are also in place to install over 400 cameras around the airport to monitor passenger activity around the clock and to check on suspicious parcels and activity to prevent bomb attacks similar to the 2005 Songkhla bombings in Southern Thailand where Hat Yai International Airport was targeted. Tenders to incorporate such a system was called in late September 2005. [68]
Singapore Airlines is the flag carrier of Singapore with its hub located at Changi Airport. A member of Star Alliance, the airline is notable for highlighting the Singapore Girl as its central figure in the corporate branding segment and not significantly changing its livery throughout its history. Widely renowned as one of the world's best carriers, the airline is ranked as a 5-star airline as well as ranked as the world's best airline by Skytrax five times. The airline operates a variety of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, namely the Airbus A350-900, Airbus A380, Boeing 737 MAX 8, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 747-400 Freighter, Boeing 777-300ER and Boeing 787-10.
Garuda Indonesia is the flag carrier of Indonesia, headquartered at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport near Jakarta. A successor of KLM Interinsulair Bedrijf, it is a member of SkyTeam airline alliance and the second-largest airline of Indonesia after Lion Air, operating scheduled flights to a number of destinations across Asia, Europe, and Australia from its hubs, focus cities, as well as other cities for Hajj. It is the only Indonesian airline that flies to European airspace.
SilkAir Singapore Private Limited, operating as SilkAir, was a Singaporean regional airline with its head office in Changi, Singapore. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines and in 2017, operated scheduled passenger services from Singapore to 54 cities in Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, East Asia, and Northern Australia. As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, it served the short to medium-haul destinations in the Singapore Airlines Group network.
Bangkok Airways plc is a regional airline based in Bangkok, Thailand. It operates scheduled services to destinations in Thailand, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Laos, Maldives, and Singapore. Its main base is Suvarnabhumi Airport.
The Paya Lebar Air Base is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in Singapore located at Airport Road in Paya Lebar, in the eastern region of Singapore. The airbase goes by the motto of Strength Through Readiness.
Tiger Airways Singapore Pte Ltd, operating as Tigerair, was a low-cost airline headquartered in Singapore. It operated services to regional destinations in Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Taiwan, China and India from its main base at Singapore Changi Airport. It was founded as an independent airline in 2003, and was listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange under the Tiger Airways Holdings name in 2010. In October 2014, parent company Tiger Airways Holdings became a subsidiary of the SIA Group, who took a 56% ownership stake.
SATS Ltd. (SATS) is a Singapore-headquartered aviation solutions company that is one of the world’s largest providers of air cargo handling services and Asia’s leading airline caterer.
Jetstar Asia Airways Pte Ltd is a Singaporean low-cost airline headquartered at Changi Airport. It operates services to regional destinations in Southeast Asia to countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. It also flies to regional routes in East Asia such as Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Malaysia–Singapore Airlines was the binational flag carrier of Malaysia and Singapore that operated from 1966 to 1972. The airline originated as Malayan Airways (MAL), established in 1937 to provide air services within British Malaya and the surrounding regions. MAL also operated regional subsidiaries, notably Borneo Airways and Federation Air Service. In 1963, following the formation of the Federation of Malaysia, the airline was renamed Malaysian Airways to reflect the newly established political entity.
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Pacific East Asia Cargo Airlines, Inc. was a cargo airline based in Pasay, Philippines. The carrier served domestic services from the Philippines with two Boeing 727 freighter aircraft. The airline also had an agreement on selected routes flown by Air Philippines. PEAC was also an affiliate airline of TNT Airways, with PEAC operating TNT leased BAe 146 aircraft.
Seletar Airport is a civilian international airport serving the north-east region of Singapore. It is located approximately 16 km (9.9 mi) northwest from Changi Airport, the country's main airport, and about 16 km (9.9 mi) north from the main commercial city-centre.
Kuching International Airport (KIA) is an international airport serving the entire southwestern region of Sarawak, Malaysia. It is located 11 km (6.8 mi) south of Kuching city centre. The airport is colocated with the RMAF Kuching, home to the No. 7 Squadron RMAF.
Myanmar Airways International Co., Ltd. is a privately owned airline headquartered in Yangon, Myanmar. It operates scheduled international services to destinations mainly in Southeast Asia and is based at Yangon International Airport. Myanmar Airways International was the sponsor of the 2013 Southeast Asian Games. MAI's logo shows pyinsarupa, a traditional Burmese chimeric animal.
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Tiger Airways Holdings Limited was a Singapore-based airline holding company for a group of low-cost carriers operating in the Asia-Pacific region. It was formed in 2007 to allow for easier management of the airline subsidiaries, as well as any future expansion, without having to focus on operational issues, leaving those to the airlines themselves. In 2016, Singapore Airlines purchased the company and it was delisted from the Singapore Exchange.
Singapore Changi Airport is a major international airport that serves Singapore, and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. More than 100 airlines operate from the airport, with flights to destinations in Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.
Singapore Changi Airport, or simply Changi Airport, is the primary civilian airport in the Republic of Singapore, and one of the largest transportation hubs in Southeast Asia. It is located approximately 17.2 km (10.7 mi) northeast from the commercial centre in Changi, on a 13 square kilometres (5.0 sq mi) site.
Changi Airport is Singapore's primary international airport and a major aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region. It is one of the commercial airports in Singapore, the other being Seletar Airport. Since the rankings for the World's Best Airport by Skytrax began in 1999, the airport was classified as the world's best twelve times, including for eight consecutive years from 2013 to 2021.
This article explores the history of Singapore Airlines, the flag carrier of the Republic of Singapore and based at the Singapore Changi Airport. Singapore Airlines, also known by its abbreviations of SIA or SQ, has often been ranked throughout its history as either amongst the best or the best airline in the world.
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