SINGAPORE Airlines claims its £180m investment in cabin enhancements is helping to increase UK revenues, despite falling sales in other markets.
The airline reported pre-tax profits of £315m in the year to March 31, a 14.5% fall from the 1997/98 figure.
Sales and marketing manager UK and Ireland Gerry Stevens said the introduction of new first, business and economy cabins last year had improved UK business.
He said: “There is no doubt that from late October and November there has been a significant increase in first and business-class traffic generated in the UK. The situation has been maintained this year.”
Stevens was unable to state the UK revenue figure, but he said it was double that of the previous year. SIA is planning to build on its UK success by enhancing services later this year. Manchester flights are to be increased to daily from November.
Current frequency is six flights weekly, stopping in either Mumbai, Amsterdam or Zurich.
The carrier is still keen to launch Heathrow-US flights, but is waiting until UK/US bilateral talks are settled. Services are expected to be in co-operation with United Airlines.
Meanwhile, SIA general manager UK and Ireland Paul Tan said the airline would join Star Alliance by the end of the year.
SIA’s membership is set to coincide with the carrier’s London ticket office moving from Regent Street to Conduit Street, where Star Alliance has its office.
Tan, who leaves his post to return to Singapore with the airline in August, said the lease on the West End office expires next year.
Tan also said SIA’s bid for a 50% stake in Star Alliance member Ansett Australia would be finalised by the end of this month.
Ansett then has a month to decide whether SIA or existing 50% stakeholder Air New Zealand can take the outstanding share.