SIA, SilkAir to codeshare on budget unit Scoot

Singapore

AS PART of a new codeshare agree-ment, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and SilkAir will codeshare on Scoot-operated flights between Singapore and over 30 destinations within the SIA group, which the group said will deliver greater choice and convenience to passengers.

SIA and SilkAir will progressively add their "SQ" and "MI" designator codes respectively to flights operated by the group's budget carrier Scoot. The codeshare agreement will focus on destinations that are unique to Scoot, starting with Athens, Clark, Gold Coast, Hat Yai, Ipoh, Krabi, Kuching and Palembang.

Other destinations that will be added include points in China, India, Malaysia, the Middle East and Hawaii.

In a statement, SIA said: "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."

For their flights on Scoot, SIA and SilkAir passengers will be offered checked baggage allowance, a blanket as well as a complimentary meal and beverage for flights over four hours. Passengers will also be able to select seats on Scoot flights online via the SIA and SilkAir websites when booking their tickets, but for a fee.

Baggage allowance - which is 30kg for SIA and SilkAir, and 20kg for Scoot - will depend on "the most significant carrier for the through-checked portion of the journey".

Describing the codeshare agreement as the latest step in the group's multi-brand strategy, Centre for Aviation analyst Brendan Sobie said: "The codeshare will likely be useful for passengers connecting from Singapore onward to other destinations. For the SIA group, it's all about leveraging the three networks to the maximum."

If well managed, there will not be significant brand dilution, he added, pointing out that Qantas also has codeshare flights with budget offspring Jetstar. It should be clear to passengers when they are booking the flights, for instance, that part of their itinerary includes a flight on Scoot.

Shares in SIA closed at S$10.44 on Tuesday, down four cents.