At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore Airlines had to reduce all operations by more than 95% and detain 138 aircraft on the ground. Subsequently, travel restrictions forced the airline to convert some of its passenger aircraft into cargo planes in order to survive the economic crisis.
Singapore Airlines announced that passenger traffic fell by almost 99%. Thus, revenues decreased by 80.4% compared to the same period last year. In the first half of the year, revenues were 1.6 billion, compared to $ 6,7 billion in the same period in 2019.
passengers Singapore Airlines, but also of the subsidiaries SilkAir and Scoot were affected by the global situation and the restrictions imposed. However, due to the pandemic, cargo transportation brought a significant revenue for the SIA Group of $ 274 million.
Singapore Airlines withdraws 26 aircraft
Singapore Airlines currently owns a fleet of 222 aircraft. Of these, 114 aircraft are stored at Singapore Changi International Airport, while another 29 are stored in Alice Springs (Australia).
72 aircraft remained in the operational service, of which 39 are used for passenger transport, and another 33 are used for cargo transport.
But the COVID-19 crisis is forcing Singapore Airlines to drop 26 aircraft to cut costs. Thus, 7 x A380, 4 x B777-200 / 200ER, 4 x 777-300, 9 x A320 and 2 x A319 will be withdrawn.
The SIA Group will also lay off 4300 employees. Previously, another 2000 employees were affected by the changes in the company due to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic.
Singapore Airlines has already concluded negotiations with Airbus on a revised schedule for the delivery of aircraft in order and is currently negotiating with Boeing for a revised schedule of aircraft already ordered.