star

SIA has not detected problems with its Airbus A350 planes that were reported by Qatar Airways, and will continue to operate the aircraft. SIA said Tuesday that it "has not experienced the issues reported in media articles", in response to queries about Qatar Airways' move to ground 13 of its Airbus A350s over concerns about material degradation in the aircraft body. Singapore's national carrier had 55 A350s in its operating fleet as at the end of the last quarter. They form a core part of SIA's fleet, and are used for long-distance flights. SIA CE Goh Choon Phong had said in 2016 that the Airbus A350 was a game-changer, as it would allow for flights to more long-haul destinations on a non-stop basis. The airline has ordered 67 of the aircraft in total.<br/>

SIA, its budget arm Scoot, and Changi Airport have been recognised for their efforts in facilitating safe international air travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic. SIA and Scoot were awarded the highest five-star rating in a Covid-19 airline safety audit by London-based research firm Skytrax. Scoot was the first budget carrier worldwide to get the rating. For the airline safety audit, Skytrax evaluated about 190 safety and hygiene protocols, such as cleanliness on board flights and social distancing measures. Since the pandemic started, SIA and Scoot have implemented measures to reduce risks of Covid-19 transmission during journeys, such as through the use of digital in-flight entertainment and self-disinfecting coating in plane cabins and toilets. Skytrax CE Edward Plaisted, who praised SIA and Scoot for their Covid-19 safety measures, said: "It is the very detailed attention to the consistency of this that is a key factor to Scoot and SIA achieving this (rating)."<br/>