Coronavirus : Flight cancellations and contingencies

[sbs2716g]

SQ have introduced booked with confidence policy for all tickets booked till end March.

https://www.singaporeair.com/en_UK/s...t/?id=inrass4b

[ek&sq]

Looks like it applies only to travel booked on/after March 3, which is a shame as I am sure there are thousands of others who booked flights before this date and would also appreciate the option to change their flights. Lufthansa, KLM and several other carriers have instated such policies.. its a shame that SIA opted to tread on the more restrictive end of the spectrum.

[SQ025]

Looks like it applies only to travel booked on/after March 3, which is a shame as I am sure there are thousands of others who booked flights before this date and would also appreciate the option to change their flights. Lufthansa, KLM and several other carriers have instated such policies.. its a shame that SIA opted to tread on the more restrictive end of the spectrum.

LH waives the change fees but you have to top up for change of fare class if same fare class is not avail. THis makes you still pay at the end.

[FN-GM]

Looks like it applies only to travel booked on/after March 3, which is a shame as I am sure there are thousands of others who booked flights before this date and would also appreciate the option to change their flights. Lufthansa, KLM and several other carriers have instated such policies.. its a shame that SIA opted to tread on the more restrictive end of the spectrum.

Isn't this the kind of thing travel insurance is for?

[fone]

Isn't this the kind of thing travel insurance is for?

Well, travel insurance should only covers if there is a travel advisory to that destination by MFA, or if that destination prohibits you from travelling (ie Singapore prohibiting Chinese passport holders from entering).

It would not cover if you choose not to go, but there are no official statement warning not to go just because you are scared.

[9V-SML]

Fresh round of cancellations announced today. Seems some cancellations extend into June 2020.

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir Adjust Services in Response to Covid-19

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir have made additional temporary reductions to selected services across our network in response to a fall in demand due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Details of the affected flights can be found here.

The cuts announced to date will result in a 13.6% reduction in the capacity (measured in available seat-kilometres) that had been originally scheduled from February to end-May 2020.

We will continue to monitor the situation, and be nimble and flexible in adjusting our capacity to match the changing demand patterns in the market.

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir apologise for the inconvenience caused. Affected customers will be notified and re-accommodated onto other flights.

If you booked your tickets through a travel agency, please contact your agent for assistance.

If you booked your tickets directly with Singapore Airlines, please contact the SIA reservations team at (+65) 6223-8888 if you need any assistance.

Due to the large volume of calls, we seek your patience and understanding as our customer service agents may take longer than usual to respond to you.


First posted on 18 February 2020 at 0945hrs (GMT +8)
Last updated on 9 March 2020, 1430hrs (GMT +8)

[sbs2716g]

Fresh round of cancellations announced today. Seems some cancellations extend into June 2020.

SQ1/2 will skip HKG from Apr-June. Also many SQ1/2 will be cancelled in Apr n may. This seem to be the major update.

Why can’t SQ just highlight or change the font colour for the new update.

[flyguy]

Qantas cuts in flights from Aust to SIN will be good news to SQ as SQ still operating almost the same flights as like to MEL and even upgraded to an A380 last couple of days too.

[Jumbojet Lover]

Qantas cuts in flights from Aust to SIN will be good news to SQ as SQ still operating almost the same flights as like to MEL and even upgraded to an A380 last couple of days too.

Demand has dropped off across the board, not just Qantas. So far, SQ has mostly shied away from outright route suspensions, instead opting for flight cancellations for specific days/flights in the network (https://www.singaporeair.com/saar5/p...tcanxtable.pdf). SQ upgauging MEL to an A380 could be to accommodate additional passengers transferred from a cancelled flight, or to consolidate two flights into one.

What SQ does may arguably be better from a customer service perspective, still offering flights but with fewer frequencies. However I do wonder about the economics of doing that and maintaining some frequencies, as opposed to outright parking aircraft and saving the expenses of operating flights which go out far below breakeven. Other than QF, Lufthansa has also announced that it is parking its A380 fleet due to drop in demand. Airlines make such difficult decisions ultimately based on what makes the most sense for them financially. Might also be telling if QF and LH have a harder time filling their A380s profitably compared to SQ.

[SQfanatic]

My parents are traveling on June 30 on SQ1 to Singapore and onwards to Chennai, but they have not received an email yet.

Moreover, I am traveling on July 9 on the same flight 1. Whatever the case this coronavirus is very worrying.

[yuuka_miya]

Ultimately the effect of outright parking aircraft is still achieved, because lesser planes are required to fly the reduced schedule?

[Jumbojet Lover]

Ultimately the effect of outright parking aircraft is still achieved, because lesser planes are required to fly the reduced schedule?

Yes, but with less inconvenience to passengers compared to outright suspending a route.

[flyguy]

Passengers will still be somewhat inconvenienced by lack of frequencies or even not able to fly to one's destination as airlines cancelled flights to some cities, and also be inconvenienced by not able to choose one's particular airline as many airlines including SQ have opted to code-share for its China flights for example. Ulitmately, its still a matter of economics as no airline would want to fly with a 20% load factor or even 30%.

[maestro]

Flights to Rome (FCO) cancelled?

Hi SQTalk!

I know that all flights are cancelled between Singapore & Milan until 31 May (as per the SQ statement), but I can't find any announcement about Rome also being cancelled until 31 May, yet I can't find any flights!

Anyone know anything?

Thanks ))

[kevin-sg]

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news...tions-12524034

The whole of Italy is in lockdowned. Most flights will likely be cancelled.