SQ reduces flights to Penang

[ycp81]

With the upcoming competition on the SIN-PEN route by AirAsia, Firefly, Jetstar and Tiger, SQ is going to reduce its flights to Penang.

SQ is reducing PEN flights to 1x daily (B772/A333) while Silkair will start 2x daily (A319/A320) PEN flights which will be codeshared with SQ. This will effectively reduce capacity on the PEN route while increasing frequencies.

[Kyo]

Which flight are they keeping?

[flyguy]

Silkair must find more planes and purchase more as it will be taking most of SQ's regional flights to destinations where the LCCs are flying to - like now already most of SQ's KUL services are flown by Silkair; now its PEN flights and likely its Jakarta routes too once air asia/tiger mounts more flights.

[ycp81]

Which flight are they keeping?

SQ192/191

[kt74]

Sheeesh... It's very predictable, but I hope (a) they sort out the fare buckets so that sensible thru fares are available beyond SIN (c.f. the disaster when MI took over all those KUL flights) and (b) they offer lounge access and mileage accrual on MI metal for *Gs. OK, wishful thinking, but, there, at least I said it

What is the point of operating a different brand? Why not just merge MI and SQ? Or re-name MI something like SQ Express (like United Express or similar)? What a total PITA...

[SQDoubter]

thats too good of an idea and too convenient for their customers so i dont think they will do it.

[Kyo]

thats too good of an idea and too convenient for their customers so i dont think they will do it.

You win my Quote of the Month!

[Nick C]

Found this

http://www.silkair.com/mbe/en_UK/con...1_27042009.jsp

SILKAIR JOINS SINGAPORE AIRLINES IN FLIGHTS TO PENANG

From 1 June 2009, SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will begin twice-daily services to Penang. Together with Singapore Airlines’ daily service to the Malaysian state, both airlines will operate a total of 21 weekly services. Singapore Airlines will operate the daily morning service whilst SilkAir will operate the daily afternoon and evening services.

“The liberalisation of the markets between Singapore and Malaysia has enabled our sister airline, SilkAir, to join us in offering a total of three flights a day to Penang. With these flights, customers who prefer the comfort, service reliability and connectivity offered by a full-service airline will continue to have a choice of convenient flight timings at competitive fares,” commented Mr Huang Cheng Eng, Executive Vice President Marketing and The Regions.

“Penang is a vibrant state that is rich in culture and tradition, and has a reputation for great food. It also serves as a base for many multi-national companies. SilkAir looks forward to serving both leisure and business travellers alike on the Singapore-Penang route from 1 June,” said Mr Chin Yau Seng, SilkAir’s Chief Executive.

Customers holding Singapore Airlines tickets can also fly on SilkAir and vice versa. Interchangeable tickets are generally available for travel on most fare types, except those issued on restricted fares. Customers are advised to take note of the restrictions and conditions of the fare type they intend to purchase. Non-interchangeable tickets include promotional tickets restricted for use on one carrier and certain discounted tickets.

Located off the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Penang is one of the most populous states in Malaysia. A well-loved food paradise famous for its iconic dishes like Penang laksa, Penang char kway teow and nasi kandar, the state is a charming treasure trove of heritage buildings like century-old shophouses, colonial villas and Chinese temples. More interestingly, its capital George Town was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in July last year.

The flights are subject to governmental approvals, with schedule subject to slot availability.

Morning Service

Flight Days of Operation Departure Arrival
SQ 192 1234567 SIN 0805hrs PEN 0930hrs
SQ 191 1234567 PEN 1025hrs SIN 1150hrs


Afternoon Service

Flight Days of Operation Departure Arrival
MI 356 1234567 SIN 1510hrs PEN 1635hrs
MI 355 1234567 PEN 1725hrs SIN 1850hrs


Evening Service

Flight Days of Operation Departure Arrival
MI 358 1234567 SIN 1855hrs PEN 2020hrs
MI 357 1234567 PEN 2115hrs SIN 2240hrs

[B727]

What is the point of operating a different brand? Why not just merge MI and SQ? Or re-name MI something like SQ Express (like United Express or similar)?

Y'all remember when MI started out as Tradewinds? Back then, they needed an airline to fly the predominantly leisure destinations like Phuket and Tioman. Eventually I think MI just became this regional subsidiary that flew the narrow-body planes so that SQ could become the all wide-body carrier, but still full-service unlike Tiger which was designed to be a pure LCC.

I somehow like this diversification within the SIA group.

[kt74]

I somehow like this diversification within the SIA group.

Yeah, well, it's pretty bl00dy pointless and unhelpful for us passengers

[ginkoka]

how does the interchangeability of the tickets work in practice? eg. if i bought a silkair ticket, i can't login into SQ website, can i? don't tell me i've to go to the airport and try my luck...

[crazycrab955]

This swapping to MI for flights to PEN and even DPS, while annoying, is something that could've been predicted with the entry of the budget carriers.

However, swapping MI in for some of the KUL flights has been a net negative in my opinion. Whereas PEN and DPS are arguably more leisure destinations than business ones, KUL is clearly a business destination for many travelers from Singapore. Yes, I know several MNCs have large operations in Penang, but most of us are going there for the food! Swapping in MI on the SIN-KUL route does not seem to square with SQ's goal of marketing itself to the business community as the clear alternative versus the budget airlines.

If MI were given regional *A status, then perhaps the change would not seem so stark. But as of right now, from where I sit, this is a seriously negative change as it has in essence sharply reduced my business travel options from SIN-KUL. I most likely won't fly MI if I have the choice to fly SQ, even if the schedule is inconvenient (especially when there is no advantage in ticket price). I mean, what is the real difference between MI and Jetstar on this route, really? Same plane, same terminals, etc.

On such a short flight, the differentiator has to be (a) schedule convenience and several flight options, and (b) easy connectivity to the global flight network. Service matters very little when you're in the air for all of 50 minutes. As such, SQ has undercut itself in the two areas (schedule frequency and thereby connectivity to onward flights) where it had any hope of competing. Not a smart move, in my view.

[ycp81]

If SQ were to maintain its existing frequencies, it would have to bring back its A310s (wishful thinking). Their current planes are simply too large and unprofitable for multiple frequencies to these destinations.

[flyKL]

As LCCs start to dominate more routes like SIN-PEN, LGK, KUL, load factors would obviously drop for premium airlines, so Silkair with smaller planes should offer more attractive fares to get passengers.

[MAN Flyer]

I somehow like this diversification within the SIA group.

I don't. It's pointless and a PITA.

Yeah, well, it's pretty bl00dy pointless and unhelpful for us passengers

I totally agree.

If it really to do with them 'only wanting the SQ brand on widebodies', then that really is ridiculous.

As others have stated, with MI seemingly set on taking over more and more of the previous SQ route network, it now really is time to just bring them fully into SQ as one airline. I like MI as an airline, but it's time it was all one.