Singapore Airlines looks to expand outside Manila

Singapore Airlines is studying opportunities to strengthen its presence in the country through airports other than Manila.

Philip Goh, regional vice president for South East Asia at Singapore Airlines, said in a roundtable discussion the carrier is looking at available opportunities in areas outside of Manila.

“Recently, SilkAir started operations in Kalibo and we will continue to see if there are other destinations in the Philippines we should be expanding to, besides Manila,” he said.

At present, Singapore Airlines has four flights per day on the Manila to Singapore route.

Sister airline SilkAir, meanwhile, enables passengers to fly to Singapore via flights available three times per week from Kalibo, nine times per week from Davao and 12 times weekly from Cebu.

For Singapore Airlines to make a decision to operate flights in other gateways other than the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Goh said it is important for infrastructure such as highways and trains to be put up to make the airports accessible to passengers.

“It (airport) should be easily accessible by bulk of passengers coming. A lot of people come to Manila on business, so you don’t want them to travel a very long distance,” he said.

While Singapore Airlines would want to expand operations in Manila by adding a fifth daily flight, the carrier is constrained, given congestion at the NAIA.

Goh said the carrier has conveyed interest to add a fifth flight on the Manila to Singapore route, but was told by regulators there are no slots available, at present.

Despite the lack of slots to increase operations in Manila, Singapore Airlines has a positive outlook on the Philippine market given the country’s strong economic growth.

“We see Philippines at present, as one of key markets we fly to in this region. And because of strong economic growth, there will be a lot of inbound (tourists) as well,” he said.

Singapore Airlines is the parent airline of the Singapore Airlines Group which is composed of regional full service carrier SilkAir and low cost carrier subsidiaries Scoot and Tiger Airways.

The group currently serves a total of 132 destinations across 36 countries.

As part of the celebration of Singapore Airlines’ 70th Global Anniversary, the carrier is holding its largest showcase and travel fair in different parts of the country where customers can avail of affordable promo fares as well as other exclusive perks and offerings.

For bookings and inquiries, customers can visit the Singapore Airlines Ticket Office, call SIA Manila Reservations at 756-8888, SilkAir Cebu at 6332-505-7871, SilkAir Davao at 6382-227-5301, SilkAir Kalibo at 6336-500-7226, contact any participating travel agent until Feb. 20, or check singaporeair.com/FLYSQ70.