SilkAir integration into SIA progressing on track

SIA said the integration of its regional arm SilkAir into the mainline carrier is progressing on track. SIA Group CE Goh Choon Phong shared that three main tasks have been completed. SIA has set up a dedicated project management office to oversee the SilkAir integration. The office has since established 12 workstreams to drive integration activities, including product and service definition, operational alignment, staff integration, corporate as well as legal and regulatory requirements. SilkAir's commercial departments have also been integrated with that of the mainline carrier. Goh added that SIA has also finalised product decisions for the Boeing 737 fleet, including seat, in-flight entertainment and in-flight connectivity suppliers. He declined to provide more details, except to say that the new products will be available from 2020, when the merger is expected to be completed. The Star Alliance carrier announced the merger in May this year and said that the the cabin overhaul programme will cost more than S$100m (US$74m). This involved upgrading SilkAir's cabins with new lie-flat seats in business class, and the installation of seat-back IFE systems in both business class and economy class.<br/>