Singapore Airlines introduces new services to Canberra, Wellington

National carrier Singapore Airlines will operate a new route, called the "Capital Express", to Australia's Canberra and New Zealand's Wellington, it announced in a news release on Wednesday (Jan 20).

Subject to regulatory approvals, flights will operate four times per week from Sep 20 on a Singapore-Canberra-Wellington route, with return flights on a Wellington-Canberra-Singapore route, it said.

Route timings for the new route based on a launch date of Sep 20, 2016. (Table: Singapore Airlines)


Flights along the new route will be operated with the 266-seat retrofitted Boeing 777-200s fitted with 38 Business Class seats and 228 Economy Class seats, it added in the release.

Singapore Airlines said with the launch of Capital Express, it will be the first airline with flights between Canberra and Wellington, as well as the first to operate regularly scheduled international services to and from Canberra.

“This new service linking Singapore, Canberra and Wellington reflects the close ties between the three countries,” said Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong.

Flights will be available for booking through the Singapore Airlines website, call centres and travel agents in the coming weeks, the company said.

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SIA pilot in NZ car crash ordered to pay injured colleagues S$10,000 each

The Singapore Airlines (SIA) pilot who pleaded guilty to reckless driving in an accident in New Zealand in which two of his co-workers were seriously injured has been ordered to pay NZ$10,000 (S$9,998) to each victim, according to reports in New Zealand.

Benjamin Yonghao Wu, 32, was also banned from driving for 18 months.

During his sentencing at the Christchurch District Court on Friday (Oct 10), Judge Stephen O'Driscoll said Wu was lucky to be alive, Radio New Zealand reported.

Wu was driving a rental car on Oct 1 with four of his colleagues when he ran a stop sign and crashed into a four-wheel drive towing a horse float near Rolleston, south of Christchurch.

According to APNZ, he managed to slow down to about 40 to 50kmh, but later told police that he did not make an abrupt stop because it would have been “uncomfortable” for his passengers.

Two of the passengers, chief steward Chew Weng Wai and stewardess Vanessa Leonara Savio Coelho, suffered serious injuries in the accident. Both were sitting in the backseat and not wearing seatbelts, the court heard.

Mr Chew, who suffered swelling to the brain and significant internal bleeding, had to be cut free of the wreck, APNZ reported. Ms Coelho suffered a fractured arm and shattered pelvis as well as spleen and bladder injuries. She has since been discharged from Christchurch Hospital, according to the report.

Two other passengers were unhurt and have returned to Singapore.

“TRAGIC ACCIDENT WITH TRAGIC CONSEQUENCES”

Wu’s lawyer Kerry Cook described the incident as a "tragic unintended accident with tragic consequences". APNZ quoted Mr Cook as saying that Wu was unfamiliar with the roads and was taking directions from the GPS system. He saw the stop sign “very late” and "made a split-second decision that was to have unfortunate long-term ramifications".

Judge O'Driscoll noted it would have been "prudent" for Wu as the driver to ensure his passengers were all wearing seatbelts, although there was no legal responsibility for him to do so.

The report also quoted Mr Cook as saying that Wu, who was not injured in the accident, tried to help his colleagues at the scene and immediately took responsibility for the accident. He is “genuinely remorseful”, and has apologised to Ms Coelho and Mr Chew’s wife, who “don’t hold any grudges against him”.

"He is significantly upset and distraught at the harm. He has a significant burden to carry," Mr Cook said.

Before the court’s ruling on Friday, Wu had already paid NZ$15,000 into the court’s trust account for “emotional harm reparation”, the report said.

In a statement released to APNZ after sentencing, Wu said he took responsibility for the accident. "I sincerely apologise for all that has happened. It was never my intention for any of this to happen. I take responsibility as the driver of the car and I am truly sorry for what has happened.

"I am thankful that everyone involved in this accident is showing signs of improvement and recovery and I just wish we can move on from here so my friends and colleagues can focus on becoming healthy and well again."

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Five SIA crew members involved in NZ car crash

Five Singapore Airlines (SIA) crew members were involved in a car crash in Christchurch, New Zealand on Wednesday (Oct 1) morning, with one of them in critical condition and another seriously injured, according to The New Zealand Herald.

The collision at 10.40am local time in Rolleston, about 22km southwest of Christchurch, was between the car with the crew members and a 4x4 vehicle towing a horse float – a trailer used for transporting horses.

Responding to TODAY’s queries, an SIA spokesperson said all five crew members were sent to the hospital for treatment.

“Our immediate concern is for the welfare of our staff and we shall accord them and their families the highest standard of care and assistance,” the spokesperson added.

A statement posted on the New Zealand police department’s website said five ambulances and three response vehicles were dispatched to the scene.

The Fire Service helped to free at least one person, while four people were taken to Christchurch Hospital with two in a serious condition and two with moderate injuries, it added.

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Air New Zealand announces bumper annual profit

Air New Zealand posted a 45 percent rise in annual net profit on Wednesday (Aug 27), and predicted more strong growth in the current financial year amid rising demand and easing fuel prices.

The airline said net profit for the 12 months to June 30 was NZ$262 million (S$272 million, US$218 million), up from NZ$181 million (S$188 million) a year earlier.

In an often volatile industry, chairman Tony Carter said Air New Zealand had achieved its third consecutive year of growth, demonstrating that the carrier "continues to be a world-leading airline, both in terms of customer experience and financial performance".

"Based on our current expectations of market demand and fuel prices, we expect to improve on the 2014 result in the coming year," he said.

Underlying the airline's confidence, it placed a US$1.5 billion (S$1.8 billion) order for 14 medium-range Airbus planes in June. Carter said the arrival of new aircraft would significantly boost Air New Zealand's capacity.

The airline's operating revenue rose one percent to NZ$4.7 billion (S$4.89 billion), earnings before tax were up 30 percent at NZ$332 million (S$345 million), and the board declared a final dividend of 5.5 cents a share, as well as a special dividend of 10 cents a share.

The announcement was made before trading started on the New Zealand stock exchange, where Air New Zealand shares last traded at NZ$2.15 (S$2.23).

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SIA-Air New Zealand proposed alliance gets CCS nod

The Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) has given the green light for the proposed strategic alliance between Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Air New Zealand to go ahead.

In a statement on Thursday, CCS said it finds that the proposed strategic alliance could raise competition concerns, but these would be offset by net economic benefits to Singapore.

Its decision followed a review of the submissions provided by the parties concerned and various stakeholders, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport Group.

Under the proposed tie-up announced in January, the two carriers plan to increase services between Singapore and New Zealand to tap the growing tourism traffic in the Asia Pacific and the Southwest Pacific markets.

It will allow Air New Zealand passengers to access codeshare travel on the SIA network to Europe, Africa and other parts of Southeast Asia.

In return, SIA customers can travel across Air New Zealand's domestic network and other Pacific destinations.

In response to Thursday's decision by the CCS, SIA said it is pleased that CCS has cleared the proposed alliance.

The strategic alliance remains subject to approval from New Zealand’s Minister of Transport.

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Air New Zealand posts record interim profit

Air New Zealand posted a record first-half net profit Thursday and predicted its full-year result will also scale new highs as the world economy picks up.

The flag carrier said net profit for the six months to December 31 was NZ$140 million ($116 million), up 40 per cent on the same period a year earlier.

Chief executive Christopher Luxon said the airline was reaping the benefits of cost cutting in recent years, including shedding about 700 jobs, which had increased its flexibility when dealing with a changing global environment.

"The journey ahead is shaping up as incredibly exciting, particularly given the positive economic outlook in many of our key revenue markets," he said.

"We are well placed to take advantage of this."

Normalised earnings before tax were up 29 per cent at NZ$180 million over the six-month period, and Air New Zealand said they were expected to hit a new record of NZ$300 million-plus for the full year.

Revenue slipped two percent to NZ$2.33 billion, with the company announcing an interim dividend of 4.5 cents a share, up 50 per cent on the same period a year earlier.

Air New Zealand shares were up 1.71 per cent in early trading on the New Zealand stock exchange, where the overall market was down 0.15 per cent.

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Singapore Airlines assisting NZ, S’pore after measles alert

Singapore Airlines (SIA) is assisting both New Zealand and Singapore health authorities with contact information of customers who were seated in the vicinity of a passenger who had contracted measles.

SIA said this is for the purpose of contact tracing and further investigations.

The passenger had travelled from Singapore to Auckland on Sunday on flight SQ281 which arrived at night.

A SIA spokesperson said the airline was informed on Tuesday that one of its passengers on that flight had been infected with measles.

The spokesperson added that SIA will provide its full cooperation to the health authorities of both countries.

There were 260 other passengers on board SQ281.

New Zealand’s health authorities estimate that those passengers would have since been in close contact with at least another 100 people. 

SIA added that there are no reports of its cabin crew or ground staff being infected.

The crew has been informed to look out for any related symptoms over the next week.

As for disinfecting the aircraft, SIA said the ventilation systems on its aircraft are designed for air to be changed every two or three minutes, which is at a higher rate than that in most buildings.

SIA also uses High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor (HEPA) filters in its aircraft ventilation systems.

The filters are similar to those used in critical wards of hospital and clean rooms, and are replaced regularly in compliance with industry regulations. 

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Government confirms partial Air New Zealand sale

The New Zealand government confirmed Sunday the partial sell-off of national flag carrier Air New Zealand to local and offshore institutions.

It did not say how much it expected to raise from the long-expected sale but market analysts have previously forecast about NZ$400 million (US$330 million).

The government will reduce its holding from 73 percent to 53 percent in the sale which will commence on Monday, Finance Minister Bill English said.

"We expect the transaction to be completed by Tuesday evening," added English, without saying who might buy the shares.

Craigs Investment Partners, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs have been appointed to undertake the transaction and work with New Zealand stockbrokers.

Air New Zealand, which is listed on both the New Zealand and Australian stock exchanges (NZX and ASX), has been trading in recent weeks around a five-year high and closed in New Zealand on Friday at NZ$1.65.

The airline said it would request a trading halt on the two exchanges while the sale process was carried out.

"Shareholding sell-downs of this type are typically conducted off-market when the company's shares are not trading on a stock exchange, to ensure the company's share price is not affected by speculative trading," English said.

"We expect Air New Zealand's shares to resume trading on the NZX and ASX on Wednesday."

The sale is being carried out just days ahead of a national referendum on the sale of government assets which has so far seen the disposal of 49 percent of electricity generating companies Mighty River Power and Meridian Energy.

State-Owned Enterprises Minister Tony Ryall said the first two share offers had raised NZ$3.6 billion.

"The proceeds of the programme have been allocated to the Future Investment Fund so the money can be reinvested in new assets and new infrastructure without the need to borrow money from overseas lenders," he said.

Air New Zealand issued a statement saying it considered the sale "a matter solely for the government" and would not comment further.

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Air New Zealand boosts stake in Virgin Australia

Air New Zealand said Thursday it had boosted its stake in Virgin Australia to 23 per cent and was considering buying more, but denied any plans to seize control of the discount carrier.

The airline said it had purchased an additional three per cent and informed Australian regulators it wanted to buy another three per cent, which would take its total stake to 26 per cent.

"The additional interest affirms Air New Zealand's strong belief and confidence in Virgin Australia and the strategy it is pursuing under the leadership of (Virgin chief) John Borghetti and his team," it said in a statement.

"Air New Zealand is not seeking a position on the board of Virgin Australia nor does it have the intention of obtaining control of Virgin Australia."

The Auckland-based flag carrier has a long-standing alliance with Virgin Australia to cooperate on trans-Tasman routes, where Australia's Qantas is their main rival.

It said Australia's competition watchdog had told it that public hearings would be held into the airline's plans to increase its Virgin Australia shareholding.

Virgin Group chief Richard Branson last month said he would be open to the possibility of selling his remaining stake in Virgin Australia.

Branson's group, which founded Virgin Australia as a rival to Qantas in 2000, holds about 12.5 per cent of the airline.

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines also have major stakes in the carrier, which is now Australia's second-largest airline.

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Hmm, it seems that everyone wants a piece of the airline other than the owner Richard Branson himself. Is he growing jaded of the aviation industry? Monetary returns compared to investment amount doesn't tally? Only he himself knows why he's "giving up" on the airline.

SIA Cargo fined NZ$4.1m for price-fixing

Singapore Airlines' (SIA) cargo unit has been fined NZ$4.1 million (S$4.2 million) by a New Zealand court for its part in a price-fixing cartel.

SIA said in a statement the Auckland High Court had approved the agreed penalty, bringing an end to proceedings brought by the New Zealand Commerce Commission.

Costs were fixed at NZ$259,079.

SIA Cargo had admitted liability for agreeing fuel and security surcharges in Indonesia and Malaysia for cargo flown to New Zealand over a four-year period.

SIA said it would make a provision of approximately S$4.41 million in its accounts for the current financial year.

New Zealand Commerce Commission chairman Mark Berry said in a statement: "Price fixing is unlawful and the fines imposed in the air cargo case should be a deterrent to others who might breach the Commerce Act."

SIA is the seventh international airline in the long-running case to settle with authorities, bringing total penalties ordered to S$25.8 million (NZ$25.5 million).

Other airlines to have settled include British Airways, Cargolux Airlines, Emirates, and Qantas.

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It doesn't matter who you are, as long as the you breach anything, you will have to face the music.