SIA TO BEGIN NON-STOP SERVICES TO NEW YORK NEXT MONTH

By Massita Ahmad

SINGAPORE, Oct 20  -- Singapore Airlines (SIA) will return to New York next month when it launches non-stop flights between Singapore and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Starting on Nov 9, SQ24 will operate three-times weekly from Singapore Changi Airport to JFK while from Nov 11, SQ23 will operate from JFK to the republic’s airport.

“Operating these flights between Singapore and New York’s JFK International Airport represent an important step in the rebuilding of our global network,” said SIA executive vice president (commercial) Lee Lik Hsin said in a statement today.

He said nonstop ultra-long services are the bedrock of SIA’s services to the key US market.

“We will continue to ramp up existing services and reinstate other points as the demand for both passenger and cargo services return,” he said.

The airline will operate the Airbus A350-900 long-range aircraft on the route which is configured with 42 Business Class, 24 Premium Economy Class and 187 Economy Class seats.

“Despite challenging times for the airline industry, there are some early signs of optimism about a recovery in air travel.

“Our customers say that they are increasingly confident about air travel, given the robust health and safety measures that are in place, as well as testing regimes to protect them and our staff.

“This optimism is also driven by recent moves by countries such as Singapore, which are easing the restrictions on both transit and inbound passengers in a safe and gradual manner,” Lee said.

Today, SIA operates non-stop services to Los Angeles.

The airline said it will continue to review its operations to the United States, and assess the growing demand for air travel amid the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, before deciding to reinstate services to other points in the country.

-- BERNAMA