![]() ![]() Together they will be better positioned to take on the competition both regionally and globally. ![]() It makes more sense for SIA and MAS to complement each other rather than compete when they operate in close proximity to each other and tap into the same market. This is a similar arrangement which Qantas has with Emirates, which gives Qantas customers access to a multitude of destinations in the Middle East, Africa and Europe on Emirates via Dubai. Others question the wisdom of SIA as the more profitable partner entering into such an agreement, even viewing it as philanthropy to help a close neighbour in trouble.Ĭertainly the partnership, as recognised by Mr Izham, will extend MAS' otherwise shrinking reach and enhance its global presence through connections with SIA's wide network.īut the partnership will also provide SIA with the opportunity to relocate its resources to more profitable routes and take advantage of MAS' connections in regions where the latter has a stronger presence. Malaysia too can expect increased tourism. Revenue sharing should ensure that neither party is unduly disadvantaged. MAS will benefit from the feed from SIA's strong international network. What matters is accessibility, and both sides will benefit from seamless transfer between the airlines. Some observers think it is SIA which will gain from the arrangement since it will, together with SilkAir and Scoot, have access to more Malaysian destinations.īut it is unlikely that SIA as a group would be interested in operating to every port. There is talk of expanded connectivity, seamless transfer, co-ordinated flight schedules, joint marketing activities and the development of a common “airpass” for customers of both airlines to enable travel on a single ticket to multiple destinations.Īlso in the works are joint fare products, the alignment of corporate programmes and tie-ups between their frequent-flyer programmes. But the boldest proposal yet is revenue sharing on flights between Singapore and Malaysia, a move that requires regulatory approval. This will pave the way for more code-share flights to destinations beyond the two countries. The new deal will increase the number to 16 domestic destinations in Malaysia, and will include SIA's subsidiaries SilkAir and Scoot as well as MAS' budget offshoot Firefly. SIA and MAS are already code-sharing flights to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching. ![]() So what's new and what does it mean for both airlines? ![]() MAS chief executive Izham Ismail said it would be “more than a conventional partnership” while his SIA counterpart Goh Choon Phong hailed it as taking the partnership “to a new level”. Known as Malaysia-Singapore Airlines until 1972 when it split into two separate national airlines, the pair has taken nearly half a century to move from being rivals to hopefully becoming partners beyond the mere code-sharing of flights. The tie-up between Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) that both sides announced last month reads like an old unpublished story that has long been waiting in the wings before finally being given the green light. ![]()
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