SINGAPORE AIRLINES TO CLOSE LOS ANGELES AND NEWARK ROUTES

Asian carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) has confirmed it will return its Airbus A340-500 fleet to the European manufacturer as part of a new $7.5 billion deal to acquire five more A380s and 20 additional A350s. The airline agreed a similar buyback agreement for its older A340-300 variants as part of a previous new aircraft order with rival manufacturer Boeing.

 SIA confirms the withdrawal of the A340-500s during the fourth quarter of 2013 will result in the closure of its non-stop services between Singapore and the US cities of Los Angeles and New York, the latter flown via Newark Liberty International Airport. This is because the airline will no longer have an aircraft with the range to fly these ultra long-haul routes.

SIA was one of only a few customers for the A340-500, which has proved to be a real niche aircraft to the world’s airlines. Its deal with Airbus will ease pressure on the carrier disposing of these aircraft itself as there is only a very limited used marketplace for the type.

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Photo:Singapore