Starting in mid-2012 with a fleet of four B777-200 aircraft purchased from parent company, Singapore Airlines (SIA), Scoot will offer no-frills service on medium to long haul routes to and from Singapore. It is managed and run independently from SIA, and already operates from separate offices.
Adhering to the low-frills spirit that has proven so popular in short haul arenas in Asia and around the world, Scoot will offer great value airfares up to 40% less than legacy carriers. Guests will be empowered to customize their travel to suit their personal requirements, partaking of only those elements they want and not subsidizing the choices of others. Meals, preferred seats and baggage, amongst many other items, will all be available for selection.
Scoot, which will operate from Changi Airport Terminal 2, will offer two cabins. Specific seats, cabin features and offerings are currently being evaluated.
The Airline’s first-year destinations will include Australasia, China and others – some routes being completely new, others new to no-frills airline operations. The specific cities will be progressively announced over the coming months as negotiations with airports and tourism bodies progress. Flights will open for booking in the early part of 2012.
Thereafter, as the fleet expands and longer-range aircraft are inducted, Scoot’s geographic footprint will steadily grow to encompass India, Europe and other markets at a later stage such as Africa and the Middle East.
The Airline is working closely with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore for its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), and is proceeding on track for award around the end of the first quarter of 2012. Engineering retrofit and certification of aircraft is scheduled for April-June, and the first commercial flights are targeted for the middle of the year. Recruitment is well under way for administrative staff and pilots, and will commence in earnest for cabin crew in early 2012 with a public campaign.
“The team building Scoot is passionate about this new airline, what it stands for and how it can change the way people travel long distance,” said Wilson. “We’re equally passionate about incorporating Scootitude into all that we do. It promises to be a fun and exciting ride.”
