High hopes for SQ, LH JV

A NEW alliance launched this month between Singapore Airlines and the Lufthansa group is one of the biggest commercial deals ever for LH in Australia, with both carriers expecting it to deliver significant benefits.

The metal-neutral pact sees the airlines share revenue on flights to destinations in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, and has already improved connectivity to some Australian destinations such as Adelaide.

Singapore Airlines’ recently appointed manger of sales planning & development in Australia, Chin Yu Tan, told Travel

Daily this morning the agreement offers full combinability between Singapore Airlines, Silkair and Lufthansa Group flights, with coordinated fares to over 30 destinations across Europe.

Lufthansa country manager Anil Rodricks said the deal “allows us to leverage on the strengths of Singapore Airlines as lead carrier in this market”.

Key benefits cited include the ability to offer Premium Economy all the way through to Europe, more convenient bookings for the trade, better schedules and significantly improved seat availability, he said.

Rodricks said the carriers hoped to “inspire more travel” into the four home markets of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Belgium, and would be working closely with the tourist offices of each country to boost visitation.

Tan added that the carriers’ respective corporate discount offerings have also been Hiharmonised under the deal.