star

SIA and SilkAir to codeshare Scoot flights

Singapore Airlines and SilkAir will codeshare the flights of SIA Group's subsidiary Scoot. The two will add their 'SQ' and 'M1' codes to over 30 Scoot flights. According to a press release, this will expand SIA and SilkAir's destinations to 130. SIA will progressively add its ‘SQ’ designator code while SilkAir will add its ‘MI’ code to Scoot-operated flights between Singapore and more than 30 destinations served only by Scoot within the SIA Group. The codeshare arrangements will begin with Scoot flights serving Athens, Clark, Gold Coast, Hat Yai, Ipoh, Krabi, Kuching and Palembang. The new agreement will enable SIA and SilkAir customers to travel on single-ticket itineraries to these codeshare destinations, which means that their boarding passes and baggage tags will be issued up to their final destination at the first point of check-in. Moreover, SIA and SilkAir customers will be offered Scoot’s FlyBagEat privileges, which includes checked baggage allowance, complimentary meal and beverage, as well as a blanket for flights above four hours.<br/>

SIA already rerouted some flights to avoid North Korean missiles

Singapore Airlines has taken steps to change the route of its Seoul-Los Angeles flights since July this year as a safety precaution in response to North Korea's missile tests. The move came after the July 27 missile launch by North Korea into the Sea of Japan, Singapore Airlines said on Tuesday. North Korea’s missile testing, often conducted without prior notice as required under international agreements, has caused some concern for commercial airlines. The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in October condemned North Korea for the repeated launching of ballistic missiles, saying they seriously threatened the safety of international civil aviation. North Korea, which joined the ICAO in 1977, is obliged to give prior notice of any activity that may threaten the safety of civilian aircraft. The most recent, on Nov 29, flew about 1,000 km before splashing down within Japan's maritime Economic Exclusion Zone. The crew on at least three commercial flights on Korean Air and Cathay Pacific have reported sighting the missile in the air. Singapore Airlines said that its planes were not affected as it had already taken steps in July to reroute flight paths.<br/>"Singapore Airlines is aware of the reports on the sighting of the North Korean missiles and is closely monitoring the situation,” a spokesperson said. “Currently, our flight routings do not transverse in the vicinity of the missile trajectory as we have taken earlier steps to avoid the northern part of the Sea of Japan."<br/>

Air NZ flight to Japan returned to Auckland after engine issues

Engine issues forced an Air New Zealand flight to Japan to return to Auckland International Airport on Tuesday. An Air NZ spokeswoman said the pilot elected to shut down one of the plane's engines as a precaution during flight NZ99 to Narita, Tokyo. "The aircraft carrying 268 [passengers] and 14 crew landed shortly before 11am without further incident." The pilot requested emergency services be on standby for the landing, "in line with normal operating procedures", the spokeswoman said. However, she said it was not an emergency landing. Fire and Emergency NZ sent five crews to back up the airport's own fire service, but were not needed. "The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers have disembarked," a Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said. <br/>