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SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines (SIA) said on Tuesday (October 20) that it will resume its flights to New York amid “early signs of optimism” of a recovery in air travel.
Non-stop flights three times a week between Changi Airport and New York’s John F Kennedy Airport (JFK) will begin on November 9, the airline said in a press release.
“Operating at JFK International Airport would allow Singapore Airlines to better adapt to a mix of passenger and cargo traffic in its services to New York in the current operating climate,” said SIA.
The flights will also cater to the growing number of transfer passengers now able to transit through Changi airport, he added.
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SIA said it anticipates significant demand for cargo from a variety of industries based in the New York metropolitan area, including pharmaceutical, e-commerce and technology companies.
“The new service will provide the only direct air cargo link from the northeastern United States to Singapore, which serves as a regional distribution center for many of the major US-based companies,” he said.
Currently, SIA operates nonstop services to Los Angeles. The airline said it will continue to review its operations to the United States and “will assess the growing demand for air travel amid the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” before deciding to restore services to other parts of the United States.
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“FIRST SIGNS OF OPTIMISM”
The Singapore-New York flights are an important step in rebuilding SIA’s global network, said Lee Lik Hsin, the airline’s executive vice president of business.
“Ultra-long nonstop services are the foundation of our services for the key US market. We will continue to increase existing services and reestablish other points as demand for passenger and cargo services returns, ”he said.
There were also some “early signs of optimism about a recovery in air travel,” Lee said. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of air travel remains unchanged and has a direct impact on economic growth and job creation, he added.
“That gives us confidence about the medium and long-term prospects for the industry.”
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The flight from Singapore to New York, operated under SQ24, will last 18 hours and five minutes. Flights from New York will begin on November 11 and will also fly three times a week. Operated under SQ23, this flight will last 18 hours and 40 minutes.
The flights will use the long-range Airbus A350-900 aircraft, which has 42 seats in business class, 24 in premium economy class and 187 in economy class.
SIA also highlighted in its announcement some of the security measures on board its flights.
These include airflow management systems, thorough cleaning prior to passenger boarding, protective gear for crew members, having passengers wear their masks throughout the flight when they are not eating or drinking, and offering non-contact options. , He said.
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