February 2004
SIA Planning For Growth And Fleet Renewal
Singapore Airlines (SIA) has advised both major airframe manufacturers that it is considering placing new orders later
this year for a range of aircraft to cater for fleet renewal as well as future growth needs.
SIA will place the orders in line with its strategy of maintaining a modern and young aircraft fleet and with a
long-term growth focus which looks beyond the immediate global economic and geo-political situation.
SIA currently operates one of the world’s youngest passenger fleets, with an average age of 5 years 6 months. Its
operating fleet currently consists of 84 aircraft, comprising 30 B747-400s, 51 B777s and three A340-500s. In addition,
20 aircraft are on firm order, including 8 B777s, two A340-500s which are due to enter the fleet in the next two months
and 10 A380 aircraft, of which SIA will be launch customer in early 2006. SIA also has placed options for 45 further
aircraft.
The request for proposal to both airframe manufacturers is intended to cover SIA’s long and medium haul and regional
needs over the coming years. The make-up of the global network is changing, with some medium-haul and regional routes
requiring larger capacity aircraft while some long-haul markets have thinner traffic volumes.
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