"Star aims to get SIA to join alliance next month"
Apr 9, 1999, 3:26 am
#1
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"Star aims to get SIA to join alliance next month"
To the ones interested in the issue of SIA joining Star. Please have a look at :
www.travel-asia.com/dailies/airline.htm
MMM
[This message has been edited by MMM (edited 04-09-99).]
[This message has been edited by MMM (edited 04-09-99).]
www.travel-asia.com/dailies/airline.htm
MMM
[This message has been edited by MMM (edited 04-09-99).]
[This message has been edited by MMM (edited 04-09-99).]
Apr 9, 1999, 4:13 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 1999
Posts: 3,065
MMM: I don't dispute that Star will make the SIA announcement in May. But, as a source of news the accuracy of this sight is questionable, viz:
This artice said OneWorld was "set to soon sign up" JAL. Yet JAL announced last week, they would not be joining OW in the immediate future.
The artice about BA starting Business Class only flights, is about a month late for this to be news and is full of inaccuracies, viz:
* The carrier "has no plans at the moment". These were announced last week.
* "BA, which has not made a forcast for 1998 earnings". The 1998 RESULTS were announced on Tuesday, yet alone forcast.
* They seem to have forgotted about Iberia joining OneWorld!
Nick
This artice said OneWorld was "set to soon sign up" JAL. Yet JAL announced last week, they would not be joining OW in the immediate future.
The artice about BA starting Business Class only flights, is about a month late for this to be news and is full of inaccuracies, viz:
* The carrier "has no plans at the moment". These were announced last week.
* "BA, which has not made a forcast for 1998 earnings". The 1998 RESULTS were announced on Tuesday, yet alone forcast.
* They seem to have forgotted about Iberia joining OneWorld!
Nick
Apr 9, 1999, 5:51 am
#4
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Actually the most interesting thing in the news story on SIA was the South African Airways comment.
For purely selfish reasons, it would be good to have the African continent better served by one of the alliances. Air France serves a significant part of Africa that other European carriers don't but is not part of either of the two major alliances.
While SAA's service may not be up there with other star alliance members, they have to be the best (one of the best?) regional carrier in Africa, even though they only service the bottom part of Africa. Having LH and SQ increasing their stake is a positive sign.
Right now SAA seems to have its foot in both oneworld (codeshares and frequent flyer program link with AA) and star alliance (codeshares and frequent flyer program links with LH) as potential partnering.
For purely selfish reasons, it would be good to have the African continent better served by one of the alliances. Air France serves a significant part of Africa that other European carriers don't but is not part of either of the two major alliances.
While SAA's service may not be up there with other star alliance members, they have to be the best (one of the best?) regional carrier in Africa, even though they only service the bottom part of Africa. Having LH and SQ increasing their stake is a positive sign.
Right now SAA seems to have its foot in both oneworld (codeshares and frequent flyer program link with AA) and star alliance (codeshares and frequent flyer program links with LH) as potential partnering.
Apr 9, 1999, 5:57 am
#5
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So I went to SAA's website news and here is some more news that strengthens the notion of a Star link (from January 11, 1999):
SAA today announced that it is on the verge of finalising commercial arrangements with strong partners in the Asian region which will dramatically change the way they serve both South East and Northern Asia starting with the April 1999 timetable.
SAA will commence service to Singapore 4 times per week in co-operation with its new alliance partner, Singapore Airlines. The service to Bangkok will be boosted from its current 3 times per week to 4 times per week and it will be served via Singapore. The flight between Singapore and Bangkok will utilise SAA’s aircraft, and we will be strongly supported in selling by Singapore Airlines.
As part of this new schedule, SAA and Thai International Airways have agreed to renew their co-operation on the Bangkok - Johannesburg route. The enhanced co-operation with Thai is linked to the better arrangements the Revenue Management team has been able to achieve which gives both TG and SAA better access to each others seats at more competitive prices. The new partnership with Singapore Airlines, and the enhanced arrangements with Thai serving Thailand, will allow SAA to improve significantly its success in penetrating the South East Asian market.
That makes 5 (6 if you count SIA) carriers in the Star Alliance network that SAA is now partnered with (NZ, AN, LH, SK, SQ, TG) in some way and only one (AA) in Oneworld.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 04-09-99).]
SAA today announced that it is on the verge of finalising commercial arrangements with strong partners in the Asian region which will dramatically change the way they serve both South East and Northern Asia starting with the April 1999 timetable.
SAA will commence service to Singapore 4 times per week in co-operation with its new alliance partner, Singapore Airlines. The service to Bangkok will be boosted from its current 3 times per week to 4 times per week and it will be served via Singapore. The flight between Singapore and Bangkok will utilise SAA’s aircraft, and we will be strongly supported in selling by Singapore Airlines.
As part of this new schedule, SAA and Thai International Airways have agreed to renew their co-operation on the Bangkok - Johannesburg route. The enhanced co-operation with Thai is linked to the better arrangements the Revenue Management team has been able to achieve which gives both TG and SAA better access to each others seats at more competitive prices. The new partnership with Singapore Airlines, and the enhanced arrangements with Thai serving Thailand, will allow SAA to improve significantly its success in penetrating the South East Asian market.
That makes 5 (6 if you count SIA) carriers in the Star Alliance network that SAA is now partnered with (NZ, AN, LH, SK, SQ, TG) in some way and only one (AA) in Oneworld.
[This message has been edited by BlondeBomber (edited 04-09-99).]
Apr 9, 1999, 6:29 am
#6
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thank you BlondeBomber.
(and I did post, under Qualiflyer, just some days ago, the official statement of SR's CEO that SR is interested and in talks to acquire 30% of SAA shares.)
(and I did post, under Qualiflyer, just some days ago, the official statement of SR's CEO that SR is interested and in talks to acquire 30% of SAA shares.)
May 1, 1999, 2:49 pm
#7
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I'm a little confused about all of this "speculation" regarding SQ's alliance plans. Currently, SQ has code-share agreements with AA (of oneworld) whilst also maintaining them with LH and SAS (of the Star Alliance.) They also have an agreement with South African Airways (not currently affiliated to any of the alliances - I believe.) Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems to me that SQ may try staying independent of the alliances and have some ties with various members of each of them. However, you are right that they are veering closing to the Star Alliance with their agreements with AC, Ansett and Air New Zealand - plus their purchase of Thai stock - has that happened yet?
May 1, 1999, 9:43 pm
#8
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I have a friend in management at SQ in Singapore who told me that SQ is very loath to join any alliance - they would prefer to stand on their own, but feel that their hand is being forced. The speculation that I thought was interesting was that SQ would have preferred to join oneWorld but that BA & QF were against it because of direct competition on Europe routes. It's important to understand that Singapore is a very small country that takes it's image in the world extremely seriously - so the idea of SQ having to get into bed with any of the alliances and possibly dilute its image runs against the grain (it's also a "kiasu" thing lah!).
May 1, 1999, 10:09 pm
#9
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MGM: I would have to agree with you. It was my understanding that SQ is reluctant to join an alliance, but wants rather to have agreements with a variety of airlines that are from different airlines.
May 2, 1999, 12:59 pm
#10
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mgm - you must be living or have lived in Singapore to know what "kiasu" means!
You mean we can speak like this one type meh?
Uh oh - better not let the OMNI police catch us here or else die one type.
You mean we can speak like this one type meh?
Uh oh - better not let the OMNI police catch us here or else die one type.
May 3, 1999, 4:00 am
#12
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03.05.1999, 10:50 Sydney (Reuters) - Die Singapore Airlines (SIA) will nach Angaben von Thai Airways im Herbst dieses Jahres dem Firmenverbund "Star Alliance" beitreten. SIA werde voraussichtlich im Oktober seine Pläne offiziell verkünden, sagte Thai-Airways-Präsident Thamnon Wanglee am Montag in Sydney.
[This message has been edited by Rudi (edited 05-03-99).]
May 4, 1999, 3:29 pm
#13
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Just put a post in the ansett australia listing from a semi-reliable newspaper report that AirNZ has given SIA to go ahead to buy part of AN, and some of AirNZ in the future. Some conjucture over easter about whether AirNZ would take out it's right to have preferential purchase of AN from NewsCorp.
So with a heavy equity involvement in two star allaince carriers it would seem sensible that SIA would lean more towards the star group
mark
mark
So with a heavy equity involvement in two star allaince carriers it would seem sensible that SIA would lean more towards the star group
mark
mark
May 5, 1999, 11:47 am
#15
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United Airlines and Singapore Airlines Forge Alliance
May 5, 1999 1:11 PM EDT
Partnership Will Provide Customers with Hassle-Free Service and New Frequent Flier Program Opportunities
CHICAGO, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and Singapore Airlines announced today that they have reached an agreement forming a strategic bilateral alliance that will provide customers of both carriers with new opportunities to accrue and redeem frequent flier program miles and provide convenient one-stop check-in service.
Stuart Oran, United Airlines' senior vice president-International, commented: "Singapore Airlines is one of the world's preeminent air carriers and we are delighted that they will join us as partners. This agreement will further expand the reach of our global network. The alliance between our two carriers will also provide our customers with the choices and hassle-free service they have come to expect."
Singapore Airlines' Michael Tan, executive vice president-Commercial said, "Our objective is to enter into alliances selectively with airlines in all the major markets in the world to provide our customers with a global network, wider choice of travel options, and increased opportunities to participate in other airlines' frequent flyer programs. The United States is obviously a very important market for Singapore Airlines, and we are therefore delighted that we have United Airlines among our worldwide alliance partners."
Beginning July 1, 1999, members of United's Mileage Plus program will be able to earn mileage on any Singapore Airlines flight. Mileage Plus members will also be able to redeem their miles for travel awards on Singapore Airlines flights. Members of Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program will be able to accrue mileage on any United flight. KrisFlyer members will also be able to redeem miles for award travel on United.
The alliance will also provide customers with hassle-free service by eliminating the need to check-in multiple times on flights involving both airlines. Beginning in the third quarter of 1999, one-stop check-in service will be offered to customers of both airlines.
As the largest air carrier in the world and the largest majority employee- owned company, United Airlines offers more than 2,370 flights a day to 133 destinations in 27 countries and one U.S. territory. United is a founding member of the Star Alliance, a global network of airlines including Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International and Varig. All Nippon Airways of Japan is expected to join the Star Alliance in October of 1999. United Airlines' Internet address is http://www.ual.com.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) currently has a fleet of 89 aircraft, and its route network extends to 115 cities in 42 countries. (This includes destinations served through codeshare services with alliance partners, and cities served by SIA's regional subsidiary airline, SilkAir.) SIA has entered into alliances with Ansett Australia, Ansett International, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines and has signed a Memoranda of Understanding to form alliances with South African Airways and Air Canada. Singapore Airlines' Internet address is http://www.singaporeair.com. SOURCE United Airlines
© PR Newswire. All rights reserved.
May 5, 1999 1:11 PM EDT
Partnership Will Provide Customers with Hassle-Free Service and New Frequent Flier Program Opportunities
CHICAGO, May 5 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines and Singapore Airlines announced today that they have reached an agreement forming a strategic bilateral alliance that will provide customers of both carriers with new opportunities to accrue and redeem frequent flier program miles and provide convenient one-stop check-in service.
Stuart Oran, United Airlines' senior vice president-International, commented: "Singapore Airlines is one of the world's preeminent air carriers and we are delighted that they will join us as partners. This agreement will further expand the reach of our global network. The alliance between our two carriers will also provide our customers with the choices and hassle-free service they have come to expect."
Singapore Airlines' Michael Tan, executive vice president-Commercial said, "Our objective is to enter into alliances selectively with airlines in all the major markets in the world to provide our customers with a global network, wider choice of travel options, and increased opportunities to participate in other airlines' frequent flyer programs. The United States is obviously a very important market for Singapore Airlines, and we are therefore delighted that we have United Airlines among our worldwide alliance partners."
Beginning July 1, 1999, members of United's Mileage Plus program will be able to earn mileage on any Singapore Airlines flight. Mileage Plus members will also be able to redeem their miles for travel awards on Singapore Airlines flights. Members of Singapore Airlines' KrisFlyer program will be able to accrue mileage on any United flight. KrisFlyer members will also be able to redeem miles for award travel on United.
The alliance will also provide customers with hassle-free service by eliminating the need to check-in multiple times on flights involving both airlines. Beginning in the third quarter of 1999, one-stop check-in service will be offered to customers of both airlines.
As the largest air carrier in the world and the largest majority employee- owned company, United Airlines offers more than 2,370 flights a day to 133 destinations in 27 countries and one U.S. territory. United is a founding member of the Star Alliance, a global network of airlines including Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Ansett Australia, Lufthansa, SAS, Thai Airways International and Varig. All Nippon Airways of Japan is expected to join the Star Alliance in October of 1999. United Airlines' Internet address is http://www.ual.com.
Singapore Airlines (SIA) currently has a fleet of 89 aircraft, and its route network extends to 115 cities in 42 countries. (This includes destinations served through codeshare services with alliance partners, and cities served by SIA's regional subsidiary airline, SilkAir.) SIA has entered into alliances with Ansett Australia, Ansett International, Air New Zealand, Lufthansa and Scandinavian Airlines and has signed a Memoranda of Understanding to form alliances with South African Airways and Air Canada. Singapore Airlines' Internet address is http://www.singaporeair.com. SOURCE United Airlines
© PR Newswire. All rights reserved.