Melbourne Airport welcomed Singapore Airlines’ A380 aircraft back for the first time since 2020 on 16 May 2023, boosting capacity by 110 per cent to meet demand as the SIA Group filed an SGD$2.16 billion net profit, its biggest in the company’s 76-year history.
The return of SQ’s larger aircraft for the MEL route is a milestone for Singapore Airlines, with the Victorian capital Airport marking the first in the carrier’s Australian network to exceed pre-COVID capacity levels.
SQ’s A380 will operate daily services between Melbourne and Singapore until 28 October 2023. The A380 will replace the B777 on this route, adding 200 extra seats daily.
Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific Louis Arul said the extra seats in the Melbourne market will support demand over the peak northern summer holiday period.
“It is incredibly pleasing to have the A380 returned to Melbourne to support the strong demand for travel to and from Australia,” Mr Arul said.
“I am sure our customers are pleased to see the hugely popular aircraft back at Tullamarine and we look forward to welcoming them on board.”
Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said the return of Singapore Airlines’ A380 service was a vote of confidence in the Victorian market.
“Singapore Airlines was one of the few carriers that continued to fly into Melbourne throughout the pandemic and we are pleased to see them reaffirming their commitment to Victoria again,” she said.
SIA Group posts record profit of SGD$2.16 billion
SIA Group’s operating profit for FY22-23 came in at a super jumbo busting record SGD$2.16 billion, reversing three straight years of losses, including last year’s SGD$962 million loss in FY2021/22.
The Group reported robust forward sales across all cabin classes with a record total group revenue of S$17.78 billion, up from S$7.6 billion last year – an annual increase of 133.4 per cent.
As of March 2023, group passenger capacity reached 79 per cent of pre-COVID levels, while the passenger load factor jumped to 85.4 per cent – the highest in SIA’s history.
Singapore Airlines was able to ride out the pandemic by keeping the majority of its fleet operational, albeit at reduced levels, which allowed it to ramp up again once travel restrictions eased.
The strong travel demand has driven record results in revenue, operating profit and passenger load factor for SIA Group in its FY22-23 profit and loss statement.
For the full SIA Group results, head here.
For more info, head to singaporeair.com
