Will SIA's strategy of bigger planes fly?

NATIONAL carrier Singapore Airlines has recently swapped orders for 14 Boeing 787-10 aircraft out for 11 Boeing 777-9 planes. Interestingly, its rivals are doing the opposite.

In its announcement last week on the delivery deferment, SIA said replacing orders for the smaller aircraft (787-10) with bigger planes (777-9) with a longer range has allowed it to respond to changes in its projected long-term fleet needs beyond financial year 2026.

There are two models in Boeing's 777X range, with the yet-to-debut 777-9 having a bigger seating capacity of 426 and a range of 13,500 kilometres. Boeing touted the 777X as the world's largest and most efficient twin-engine jet, delivering 10 per cent lower fuel use and emissions, as well as 10 per cent lower operating costs than its competition.