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The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the airline industries. Although domestic flights have already resumed in several ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, this is not possible for an island city-state like Singapore. Their flag carrier, Singapore Airlines, only operates international flights, but it looks like they’re coming out with a new option for those in the mood to fly again.
As reported by Straits Times, Singapore Airlines plans to launch a 3-hour destination flight that will depart and land at Changi Airport in October. This is seen as an initiative to increase revenue while coping with falling demand for air travel.
SIA is also reported to have plans to explore a partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board to allow Singaporeans to use their tourism credits for flights. The Singapore government had recently distributed a total of SGD 320 million (approximately RM972 million) to boost domestic spending due to a lack of foreign visitor arrivals.
According to Singapore Air Charter director Stefan Wood, they had contacted SIA about a possible joint venture to provide flights to nowhere using an Airbus A350. However, talks have stalled with SIA, indicating that they will pursue plans on their own.
According to a survey of 308 people, 75% are willing to shell out money to pay for flights to nowhere. The survey indicated that 45% are willing to pay SGD 288 (around RM874) for an economy seat, while 40% would pay SGD 588 (around RM1,785) for a business class option. 60% of those surveyed have said they want the flight to last 2 hours.
Wood added that as the trip opens up, the novelty will wear off. He suggested combining the flights with home vacations, limo transfers and airport shopping experiences.
Other airlines have also operated similar pleasure trips during the pandemic. This includes ANA in Japan with a 90-minute flight on an A380, while Taiwan’s EVA Air had flown its Hello Kitty-themed A330 for a 2-hour 45-minute flight before returning to its home airport. Before that, the Taiwanese airline had also offered a fake flight experience where planes never leave the ground.
It’s also worth noting that Singapore Airlines had operated a flight to nowhere before. In 2015, they had a charity flight on an Airbus A380 with more than 300 Community Chest recipients that included children with special needs, disabled adults and underprivileged seniors.
Malaysia Airlines had also organized a pleasure trip in 2012 to celebrate the arrival of its new Airbus A380. A total of 454 passengers, including Tun Dr Mahathir and the winners of the Big Flight competition, have joined the flight which lasted approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. It was reported that the flight departed from KLIA at 12.34 pm and returned to the same airport at 4.02 pm
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