SQ's AMS Mystery Flights

[SQ957]

I'm beginning to wonder if SQ is planning a move to 10x weekly to AMS. Shifting from the 772 to the A350 was a downgauge, especially in Y

True. Especially with neighbouring Garuda ending their 3x weekly one-way SIN-AMS flights from the start of the winter season, SQ increasing SIN-AMS to 10x weekly would be a very logical move.

[SQ228]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8XZriAdB1g

I came across this video on youtube which may explain the mystery flights. It could be a slot protection manoeuvre.

Perhaps planning and subsequently cancelling the flights is as good as flying an empty plane there?

I'm beginning to wonder if SQ is planning a move to 10x weekly to AMS. Shifting from the 772 to the A350 was a downgauge, especially in Y

[Trent1000]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8XZriAdB1g

I came across this video on youtube which may explain the mystery flights. It could be a slot protection manoeuvre.

Perhaps planning and subsequently cancelling the flights is as good as flying an empty plane there?

[SQfanatic]

I do remember taking the SIN-AMS-EWR route long time ago. Interesting...

I remember at one point in the 2000's SQ did do SIN-AMS-ORD at one point

[KC*]

The AMS flight continued to EWR, and back then SQ also has its own nice little lounge at Schiphol. It was so much nicer than the Aspire lounge they're using now.

I do remember taking the SIN-AMS-EWR route long time ago. Interesting...

[WBT]

Just a thought and pure speculation, could this be a hint that we can potentially see in the near future a US route via AMS considering that SQ was flying SIN-JFK via AMS in the 90’s? Or perhaps a tag on to VIE via AMS?

The AMS flight continued to EWR, and back then SQ also has its own nice little lounge at Schiphol. It was so much nicer than the Aspire lounge they're using now.

Normally remote gates are the unpleasant part of a regional flight. Maybe they can't spare a gate for 6 hours each morning right now at Schiphol. That's a lot of people to bus though.

I was on 323 yesterday and we were indeed bused out to the plane. I can confirm it was a very unpleasant experience, especially with two children in tow. I have no idea what's going on because SQ always used the regular gates in the G pier; many lesser airlines still do!

[ycp81]

You do realize that it involves quite a bit of backtracking, a very unappealing and inefficient way to get to VIE? As a one-stop, it would be uncompetitive against other one-stop options such as LOT and Qatar.

With insufficient premium traffic, Vienna could most probably be a future Scoot route ( similar to Athens and Berlin).

[Jumbojet Lover]

Or perhaps a tag on to VIE via AMS?

You do realize that it involves quite a bit of backtracking, a very unappealing and inefficient way to get to VIE? As a one-stop, it would be uncompetitive against other one-stop options such as LOT and Qatar.

[SQ773ER]

The ghost flights are still shown on the board and marked as cancelled.

Just a thought and pure speculation, could this be a hint that we can potentially see in the near future a US route via AMS considering that SQ was flying SIN-JFK via AMS in the 90’s? Or perhaps a tag on to VIE via AMS?

[SQfanatic]

Yes, the live departure board where you were looking is where I first found it.

These ghost flights are still occurring 3x weekly to AMS.

This is weird and strange indeed.

[SQ228]

This is surprising, indeed.

It might be off-topic to the post, but sometime last month via the iChangi app, I saw the SQ22 Newark flight on there that said "Canceled". Did you also catch that live from the SIN departure board? Just curious.

Yes, the live departure board where you were looking is where I first found it.

These ghost flights are still occurring 3x weekly to AMS.

[SQfanatic]

This is surprising, indeed.

It might be off-topic to the post, but sometime last month via the iChangi app, I saw the SQ22 Newark flight on there that said "Canceled". Did you also catch that live from the SIN departure board? Just curious.

[SQ228]

AFAIK, Singapore Government has never chartered a whole flight for a handful of people to travel. Even the PM and President travels on normal commercial flights. Only the SAF charters flights as they require all seats available.
My guess is that SQ is planning to launch a flight during those times and CAG is proof testing to make sure that a gate is available during those times. Prior to T4 opening, these dummy flights were going around.

Interesting. The times are almost identical to the additional CDG flights.

[boing]

AFAIK, Singapore Government has never chartered a whole flight for a handful of people to travel. Even the PM and President travels on normal commercial flights. Only the SAF charters flights as they require all seats available.
My guess is that SQ is planning to launch a flight during those times and CAG is proof testing to make sure that a gate is available during those times. Prior to T4 opening, these dummy flights were going around.

[SQ228]

Whatever the reason, it's still going. Every two or three days another cancelled flight pops up.