According to , the Singapore Airlines boss recorded a 21% increase in his salary for the last financial year compared to 2022.聽聽

The news outlet said that Phong pocketed a healthy SG8.11 million ($6 million) after he delivered the highest full year operating and net profits in the group精东影业 history. 

The company精东影业 latest annual report published on July 1, 2024, also said the CEO精东影业 base salary rose from SG1.1 million ($811k) in 2022, to SG1.44 million ($1 million). 

In May 2023, Singapore Airlines Group (SAG) reported a record profit of SG$2.7 billion ($1.99 billion) for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. 

Following the positive results Singapore Airlines hit the headlines after announcing that staff would receive eight months鈥� worth of salary as a bonus. 

SAG, which includes Scoot, credits robust demand for air travel which resulted in record passenger revenue.   

According to the group, demand for air travel was boosted by a rebound in North Asia as China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Taiwan fully reopened their borders following the COVID 19 pandemic. 

Phong recently offered his 鈥渄eepest apologies鈥� to passengers on flight SQ321 between London and Singapore who experienced severe turbulence.聽

During the incident on May 20, 2024, one passenger died, and more than 30 others were injured.  

Passengers who sustained minor injuries from the incident were offered $10,000 each by the airline while those with more serious injuries have been invited to discuss a compensation offer that would meet each specific circumstance.聽

Singapore Airlines to give staff eight months鈥� salary bonus after record profit

• Aviation Economics & Finance

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-05-16

The incident resulted in the death of one passenger and multiple others were injured.

In a Facebook post dated June 11, 2024, the airline apologized for the 鈥渢raumatic experience鈥� endured by passengers on SQ321 on May 20, 2024.

The carrier also confirmed it had sent out compensation offers to passengers on June 10, 2024.

What compensation is Singapore Airlines offering to passengers?

For passengers who sustained minor injuries from the incident, the airline said it is offering $10,000 each. 

For more serious injuries, the airline said it had invited passengers to discuss a compensation offer that would meet each specific circumstance. 

For passengers who have been medically assessed to have obtained serious injuries requiring long-term medical care and are requesting financial assistance, Singapore Airline said it had offered an advance payment of US$25,000 to address their immediate needs. That amount will be part of the final compensation. 

Additional compensation

In addition to the categorized offers, Singapore Airlines will provide a full refund of the air fare to all passengers who flew on SQ321 on May 20, 2024, including those who did not suffer any injuries. 

All passengers will also receive delay compensation in accordance with the relevant European Union or United Kingdom regulations.

The airline said it has also provided all passengers with SGD1,000 ($740) to meet their immediate expenses upon departure from Bangkok, where the flight performed an emergency landing after the turbulent episode. 

The Singaporean flag carrier had also been covering the medical expenses of the injured passengers and arranged for their family members and loved ones to fly to Bangkok where requested.

The airline said it remains committed to supporting the affected passengers. 

One death, dozens of injuries

The flight encountered a dramatic drop of almost 6,000 feet when it encountered an air pocket over the Irrawaddy Basin in Myanmar. 

The turbulence resulted in the death of one passenger, 73-year old Geoff Kitchen, a retired British grandfather from Thornbury, near Bristol in southwest England.

Among the dozens of passengers hurt, one of the most seriously injured is 52-year old Kerry Jordan, from Adelaide Australia. Jordan suffered a break in her spine at the C7-T1 segment, which joins the neck with the upper back. She also suffered a brain bleed, fractures of the C1 and C2 vertebrae at the top of the spine, and fractured ribs.

The injuries have left Kerry, a dance teacher, paralyzed from the chest down. 

Positive feedback 

After posting its compensation offers on its Facebook page, the airline was met with mostly positive feedback from social media users.

One comment said that while the traumatic experience cannot be compensated with any monetary value, the 鈥済ood effort鈥� and immediate action of the airline should be commended.

Many comments also praised the airline精东影业 transparent and regular communication and timely updates via Facebook and other social media pages since the incident occurred.聽

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This partnership aims to promote the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and share best practices to enhance sustainability in the airline industry.

The MoU was signed on June 5, 2024, by Cathay Group CEO Ronald Lam and Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong in Dubai during the 80th International Air Transport Association (IATA) Annual General Meeting and World Air Transport Summit.

“Our collaboration with Singapore Airlines aims to accelerate and support the development of the SAF supply chain in the region, fostering a reliable SAF ecosystem to enable the industry to achieve its long-term decarbonisation goals,” Ronald Lam, Chief Executive Officer, Cathay Group, said.

“Our partnership with Cathay signifies our mutual ambition to enhance collaboration in sustainability initiatives in the Asia-Pacific region,” Goh Choon Phong, CEO of Singapore Airlines, added. “Together, we are helping to set the foundation for a more sustainable aviation industry.”

Cathay Pacific and SIA will work together to advocate for the increased use of SAF in the Asia-Pacific region. Their efforts will include:

• Raising public awareness about the importance of SAF in reducing aviation emissions.
• Pushing for supportive policies in the region.
• Promoting the establishment of a global framework for accounting and reporting emissions reductions.
• Exploring opportunities for joint procurement of SAF to boost its production and adoption.

The airlines will also share best practices to reduce single-use plastics, minimize waste, and improve energy efficiency in ground and cargo operations. This collaboration aims to improve both airlines’ sustainability performance and expedite the implementation of sustainable solutions.

The agreement emphasizes both airlines’ commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In statements sent to several media outlets, the airline has announced that it will take on a 鈥渕ore cautious鈥� approach to managing rough air currents on flights, after SQ321 resulted in the death of a passenger when it encountered severe turbulence.

The new service policy states that all meal services in the cabin will be stopped whenever the seatbelt sign is switched on. 

“In addition to the suspension of hot beverage service when the seatbelt sign is on, the meal service will also be suspended,” the airline said.

According to Singapore Airlines, crew members will also continue to advise passengers to return to their seats and secure their seatbelts. 

鈥淭hey will also monitor customers who may require assistance, including those in the lavatories,” the airline said. 

Under the new measures, crew members will need to return to their seats and secure their own seat belts when the seatbelt sign is switched on.

“Pilots and cabin crew are aware of the hazards associated with turbulence. They are also trained to assist customers and ensure cabin safety throughout the flight,” the airline said, adding that it will continue to review its processes.

Flight SQ231 was operating from London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Singapore Changi AIrport (SIN), when it encountered 鈥渟udden extreme turbulence鈥� over the Irrawaddy Basin at an altitude of 37,000 feet.

The turbulence left one passenger dead, and 79 other passengers and six crew members injured.聽

Singapore Airlines CEO ‘very sorry’ after pax dies during extreme turbulence

• Airlines
• Aviation Safety

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-05-22

In a video statement posted on Singapore Airlines鈥� Facebook page, the airline chief explained the incident, which took place on May 21, 2024, and confirmed the death of one passenger and injuries to multiple others.

Speaking on camera, Goh said SQ321, which was operating from London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Singapore Changi AIrport (SIN), was 10 hours into the 13-hour flight when it encountered 鈥渟udden extreme turbulence鈥� over the Irrawaddy Basin at an altitude of 37,000 feet.

The Irrawaddy Basin is located in Myanmar, approximately 2,329 kilometers from Singapore.

The pilot then declared an emergency and diverted the 16-year old B777-300ER aircraft to  Bangkok精东影业 Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK).

The man who tragically lost his life has been identified as 73-year-old Geoffrey Kitchen, a British national who suffered a suspected heart attack during the flight. 

In the statement, Goh expressed his condolences to Kitchen精东影业 family, adding that the airline is 鈥渧ery sorry鈥� for the traumatic experience of everyone on board flight SQ321.

Goh added that Singapore Airlines immediately dispatched a team to Bangkok on the evening of May 21, 2024 to assist colleagues and passengers.

143 passengers and crew members who were able to fly boarded a relief flight arranged by the airline and arrived in Singapore at 05:05 local time on May 22, 2024.

Meanwhile, 79 passengers and six crew members, including those injured and receiving medical treatment, as well as their families, currently remain in Bangkok.

Goh said the airline will continue to extend all possible support to passengers and that it is fully cooperating with relevant authorities in carrying out investigations.

The flight carried 211 passengers and 18 crew members.

The nationalities of the passengers are as follows:

• 56 from Australia
• 47 from the United Kingdom
• 41 from Singapore
• 23 from New Zealand
• 16 from Malaysia
• Five from the Philippines
• Four from Ireland
• Four from the US
• Three from India
• Two from Indonesia
• Two from Myanmar
• Two from Spain
• Two from Canada
• One from Germany
• One from Israel
• One from Iceland
• One from South Korea

Flight SQ 321 departed London-Heathrow Airport (LHR) at 22:05 local time on May 20, 2024, and was enroute to Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) when it encountered the turbulence. 

The flight was forced to make an emergency landing at Bangkok精东影业 Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK).

The aircraft, a B777-300ER, registered 9V-SWM, landed safely at 15:45 local time in Bangkok on May 21, 2024. 

Singapore Airlines confirmed the incident via Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

鈥淲e can confirm that there are injuries and one fatality on board the Boeing 777-300ER. There were a total of 211 passengers and 18 crew on board,鈥� the airline said. 

The airline also offered its 鈥渄eepest condolences鈥� to the family of the deceased and added that its 鈥減riority is to provide possible assistance to all passengers and crew鈥�.

No further details were given regarding the deceased passenger精东影业 age or nationality.

One social media user who identified themselves as a passenger on board the flight took to X to describe his experience.

A local Thai media outlet posted photographs of what appears to be the interior of the aircraft showing the impact of the turbulence. 

The post said that emergency medical crews were immediately called to Bangkok Airport.

Singapore Airlines said it will regularly post updates on all its social media pages.

According to a study conducted by researchers from the University of Reading in England, flight turbulence is bound to get stronger due to climate change. 

The study claimed that warmer air from CO2 emissions is increasing windshear in the jet streams, strengthening clear-air turbulence in flight routes over the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and the South Atlantic.

Air New Zealand passenger breaks leg during turbulence, continues 7-hour flight

• Airlines
• Aviation Safety

byIan Molyneaux

2024-04-18

A memo viewed by indicated that staff, including pilots, will receive 7.94 months profit-sharing bonus.

In 2023, the group精东影业 staff also received a bonus worth 6.65 months鈥� salary when SIA Group posted a record SG$2.1 Billion net profit ($1.5 Billion)

The financial year 2023/2024 has delivered the highest full year operating and net profits in the group精东影业 history. The group credits robust travel demand for air travel which resulted in record passenger revenue. 

According to the group, demand for air travel was boosted by a rebound in North Asia as China, Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan fully reopened their borders.

Altogether, Singapore Airlines and Scoot carried a combined 36.4 million passengers, up 37.6% compared to the previous year.

The group reported that, although cargo loads increased 1.7% due to strong e-commerce demand, yields were 42.2% lower than the previous year – itself nearly 30% above pre-pandemic levels. 

As of March 31, 2024, the group精东影业 operating fleet consisted of 200 aircraft with an average age of seven years and three months. In April 2024, the group added one Airbus A350-900 and two Embraer E 190-E2 aircraft to its fleet. 

The group foresees that demand for travel will remain healthy in the first quarter of FY 2024/2025, due to strong bookings to the North Asia and South East Asian region.

Parent company of Singapore Airlines posts record-high annual profit聽

• Aviation Economics & Finance

byMiquel Ros

2023-05-16

This will make the group精东影业 two airlines, Singapore Airlines and Scoot, the first carriers to receive SAF produced at Neste精东影业 refinery in the country.

Neste said that it will blend the SAF with conventional jet fuel according to the required safety specifications and deliver the blended jet fuel to Singapore Changi Airport精东影业 (SIN) fuel hydrant system in two batches 鈥� once in the second quarter of 2024 and once in the fourth quarter of this year. 

This also marks the first direct supply of Neste精东影业 SAF to airlines at SIN airport, following the completion of Neste Singapore精东影业 refinery expansion in May 2023. According to Neste, the refinery can produce a million tonnes of SAF each year, making it the world精东影业 largest SAF production facility.

鈥淲e are proud that Singapore Airlines and Scoot are our first customers benefiting from our integrated supply capabilities into Changi Airport,鈥� Alexander Kueper, Neste Vice President of Renewable Aviation, said in a statement. 鈥淪ingapore is a leading aviation hub in the Asia-Pacific region and this delivery of SAF, as well as the recently announced national SAF target, will hopefully encourage the wider adoption of SAF across the broader Asia-Pacific region.鈥�

鈥淭his agreement with Neste is an important milestone in the SIA Group精东影业 journey to have a minimum of 5% sustainable aviation fuel in our total fuel uplift by 2030,鈥� Lee Wen Fen, Singapore Airlines’ Chief Sustainability Officer, said. A more sustainable aviation industry will ensure that future generations continue to benefit from the global connectivity, economic prosperity, and people links that air travel fosters.鈥�

Singapore Airlines said that starting May 2024, it will offer 1,000 SAF Book & Claim Units (BCUs) for purchase by its corporate travelers, shippers, and freight forwarders. 

Each BCU represents one tonne of neat SAF with its associated carbon dioxide reduction benefit. Purchasing SAF BCUs allows corporate travelers, shippers, and freight forwarders to claim the associated environmental benefits for flights related to their business travel and operations.

Japan Airlines launches program to turn cooking oil into sustainable aviation fuel

• Airlines
• Sustainability

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-04-29

Ravi Gupta, a local Director General of Police in Telangana in India, was flying with his wife to Perth Airport (PER) via Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) in May 2023. They discovered that the business class seats assigned to them were not working properly on the first leg of their journey between Hyderabad International Airport (HYD) and SIN. 

The flight was full so the couple could not be reassigned to other seats. Cabin crew offered to manually recline the seats, checking in on them every now and then throughout the flight. 

However, the couple claimed they felt like economy class passengers and that left them in 鈥渕ental agony鈥� during the four-hour and 50 minute flight.

鈥淪IA can confirm that while the automatic recline function on Mr and Mrs Gupta精东影业 seats was faulty, the manual recline function was working on their flight from Hyderabad to Singapore,鈥� a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to multiple media outlets. 

鈥淥ur crew proactively checked in on these customers regularly and offered to manually recline the seat when needed,鈥� the spokesperson added.

The airline initially offered 10,000 frequent flier miles per passenger as compensation, which the Guptas refused.

The couple then took the matter to court in India, where the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hyderabad ruled in favor of the Guptas. Singapore Airlines was ordered to refund INR 48,750 ($570) to each passenger, plus 12% interest. Additionally, the airline was required to pay $1193 for the 鈥渕ental and physical distress鈥� caused to the Guptas, along with $119 to cover expenses.

This is not the first case where a business class passenger has taken an airline to court over seats. In May 2023, an Emirates business class passenger pursued a legal battle against the Middle East carrier for misleading advertisement over its B777 business class seats which did not meet his expectations during the flight.

Slide that fell off B767 found outside home of lawyer suing Boeing

• Aviation Safety
• This is interesting!

byJean Carmela Lim

2024-05-02

Flight SQ 232 took off from SYD at 11:04 local time on April 7, 2024, but stopped its climb shortly after departure. 

The 13-year old A380 (registered 9V-SKM), entered a hold at 10,000 feet to lose fuel weight before landing safely back at SYD.

The aircraft touched down at SYD airport at approximately 12:42 local time.聽

An airline representative told Channel News Asia that the technical issue was related to the aircraft’s flaps.聽

Airplane flaps are used to generate more lift at slower airspeed, which enables the aircraft to fly at a greatly reduced speed with a lower risk of stalling. The flaps are most useful during takeoff and landing.

The technical issue was resolved on the ground at Sydney Airport and the flight was able to depart once more for Singapore at 16:19 local time. The flight arrived at SIN airport at 22:24 local time, almost five hours delayed from its original ETA.

In its statement to Channel News Asia, Singapore Airlines said it apologized to all affected customers for any inconvenience caused, adding that the safety of its customers and crew is its 鈥渢op priority.鈥�

Singapore Airlines A380 diverted to Frankfurt due to cabin pressure issues

• Airlines

byJean Carmela Lim

2022-11-25