Singapore Airlines is reportedly gearing up to launch scenic ‘flights to nowhere’, in an attempt to boost revenue and cater to travel-hungry customers missing the experience of air travel.
Anonymous sources close to the matter have said the three-hour domestic flights, which will both take-off and land at Changi Airport, are due to begin by the end of October 2020.
Further, these flights may be sold as a package deal in conjunction with ‘staycation’ hotel rooms, shopping vouchers for spending at the Jewel Changi Airport, and limousine service to ferry customers around Singapore, to enhance the ‘travel’ experience for customers.
Singapore joins airlines such as ANA and EVA Air in launching these ‘flights to nowhere’, created to cater to customers who are missing the flying experience.
The airline has been forced to get creative in order to encourage customer revenue during a time when international borders remain restricted thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Analysts have said that airlines such as Singapore and Cathay Pacific will likely face a longer recovery period than most airlines, as neither carrier has a domestic network to rely upon while international conditions remain uncertain.
The SIA Group, which includes regional arm SilkAir and budget carrier Scoot, is currently only flying at 7 per cent of its pre-COVID capacity, and the group has recently announced it will be required to cut 4,300 jobs across its businesses.
Dexter Lee
says:I think QANTAS should go one better and offer scenic flights from/to various domestic ports eg SYD – ADL SYD – PER without actually landing (unless refueling requires so) but perforning some scenic flyover of the city and surrounds (changing the surounds on different flights to encourage repeat flyers) before returining to originating port. To encourage take up, offer status credit and points earn as per normal return flights. This will enable Frequent Flyers a chance to complete the 4 sector requirement while state borders are still closed and earn QANTAS income and it’s pilots much needed flying hours. Normal catering would complete the experience.