Italy Grants SQ Fifth Freedom Rights

[9V-SIA]

Not with the current economic turmoil in Europe methinks

[SQMilan]

I know it is not the moment yet, but does anyone know if SQ is re-introducing daily flight to Milan or not for summer 2013? Thanks.

[Mirko]

I know it is not the moment yet, but does anyone know if SQ is re-introducing daily flight to Milan or not for summer 2013? Thanks.

This morning I asked to SQ's office in Milan, they answered me that they will reduce the route to 5xw next summer as well. Apparently they received a NOTAM from Singapore'HQ yesterday.
As per today all Tu/Fr flights leaving from MXP have been zeroed out during all S13 long.

[SQMilan]

http://www.ttgitalia.com/stories/tra...ma_non_subito/

It is an Italian article; here the Italian version:

Singapore Airlines conferma l'interesse per il volo Milano-New York "ma non nell'immediato", frena il general manager Vinod Kannan.


A distanza di mesi dall'ottenimento dei diritti di quinta libertà, ancora non si è concretizzata la rotta da Malpensa verso gli Stati Uniti. Il manager ha spiegato come, prima di rendere operativo il collegamento, sia necessaria una riorganizzazione delle risorse e, soprattutto, un'attenta valutazione dell'evolversi della crisi economica.

“Tuttavia restiamo ancora molto interessati e ringraziamo il Ministero dei Trasporti per la concessione temporanea. Partiremo quando potremo, valutando la situazione degli aeroporti e quella economica globale - spiega il manager -. L'Italia è un mercato importante che intendiamo continuare a servire”.

L'operativo intanto ha visto un calo delle frequenze da Singapore verso Malpensa e Barcellona, che da giornaliere sono passate a cinque alla settimana. Una decisione che Kannan spiega così: “Nello schedule summer venivano effettuati collegamento giornalieri, e in particolare 3 da Malpensa a Singapore e ritorno e 4 da Barcellona verso Singapore. Purtroppo la situazione nello scalo spagnolo non è positiva per via della congiuntura sfavorevole in Europa. Di conseguenza abbiamo scelto di ridurre le frequenze”.

Translation

Singapore Airlines confirms its interest in Milan-New York flight, but not in the immediate period, says the general manager Vinod Kinnah.

After months from the obtaining of the fifth freedom rights, the route from Milan to New York is not materialized yet. The manager explained that, before realizing the operations, reorganization of resources and careful evaluation of economical juncture, is strictly necessary.

"However, we are still interested and we thank the Ministry of Transports for the temporary granting. As soon as we can, we will begin operations, after evaluating airport and global economical situation. Italy is an important market, and we have intention to continue to serve it."

Meanwhile, flights to both Milan and Barcelona have been reduced from daily to five weekly; the manager explains "During summer we operated 3 weekly flight from and to Malpensa and 4 weekly flights from and to Milan/Barcelona. Unfortunately, the juncture in the spanish airport is not positive, owing to an unfavourable situation in Europe. For that reason, we have decided to reduce frequencies.

[9V-SIA]

I imagine any new one stop service to US will be routed through an Asian city rather than Europe.

[Nick C]

I imagine any new one stop service to US will be routed through an Asian city rather than Europe.

You think so too?

[SQMilan]

Will flight MXP-SIN be maintained 5weekly during summer season, or increased to daily? Thanks.

[flying.monkeyz]

Emirates to operate transatlantic from Milan

The Italian government has granted Emirates ‘fifth freedom’ traffic rights to operate between Milan Malpensa and New York JFK.

The new daily service, to be operated by a three-class B777-300ER, gets under way on October 1. It will offer more choice for business people flying the route and Emirates will be the only carrier to offer a first class cabin.

http://www.businesstraveller.com/new...tic-from-milan

Looks like EK beat SQ to it.

[9V-SIA]

Sad day for SQ. From market leaders to followers

[CarbonMan]

Sad day for SQ. From market leaders to followers

With the end of the 345s in Oct, and no alternative except FRA, absolutely, a very sad day indeed. The only "leadership" position they now have left is in the eye-shadow dept.

[MAN Flyer]

I am afraid SQ's 'leadership' position has been on the wane for a while now, due mainly to inherent arrogance from the top end of the company that they were so good nobody would be able to get near them, despite blindingly obvious evidence to the contrary.

[JonLee]

SQ only flies to rome currently using the 777-200ERs probably due to lower demand on the route and Milan Gets the 777-300Er but its not daily though...Although they can fly Sin-MXP-JFK, it probably wont have much passengers from SIN as they already have SIN-FRA-JFK.. probably targetting people who travel MXP-JFK. Speaking of which, they will need 1or 2 more 77Ws to do this route. not sure if they can free up any 77Ws now though...

[B727]

The following article from TTG Italia (in Italian) quotes SQ Italy GM Vinod Kannan blaming market uncertainty for SQ's missed opportunity in capitalizing on fifth freedom rights for MXP-JFK

http://www.ttgitalia.com/stories/tra...a_del_mercato/

I do agree with the article that the timing was rather off for SQ to enter the Italy-US transatlantic market. However, I also think there are other opportunities for SQ to start a second route to the US east coast via the Pacific in view of the cessation of nonstop EWR flights this autumn

[SMK77]

Maybe it's SQ missing the boat here?

Emirates launching service between New York and Milan on October 1, 2013

Starting October 1, 2013, Emirates will be launching daily nonstop service between New York and Milan. This flight will be the extension of one of their three daily flights between Dubai and Milan, and will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER. It will operate with the following schedule:

EK205 Milan to New York departing at 4:00PM and arriving at 7:00PM
EK206 New York to Milan departing at 10:20PM and arriving at 12:15PM (+1 day)

[milehighj]

The following article from TTG Italia (in Italian) quotes SQ Italy GM Vinod Kannan blaming market uncertainty for SQ's missed opportunity in capitalizing on fifth freedom rights for MXP-JFK

Where was the market certainty when SQ was effectively a start-up after splitting from MSA?

Where was the market certainty when it placed record order after record order for new aircraft to deploy on new routes?

What a load of hogwash. The only certainty is that this bunch of management beancounters are running a former market-leading icon into 2nd-rate mediocrity. Shame on them. http://www.sqtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12075