SILK AIR - B737 MAX 8 - 9V-MBC

Brian Worthington - USA

Singapore's SilkAir adds maiden B737 MAX 8

SilkAir (MI, Singapore Changi) has taken delivery of 9V-MBA (msn 44246), its first B737 MAX 8. According to Flightradar24 ADS-B data, the aircraft was positioned to its new Singapore Changi home from Seattle Boeing Field via Kona and Guam Int'l this past weekend.

Operations are expected to kick off later this month with Kathmandu, Hyderabad Int'l, Hiroshima Int'l, and Bangalore Int'l among its initial destinations. Cairns and Darwin in Australia have also been proposed.
With a total of thirty-seven on order from Boeing (BOE, Chicago O'Hare), the Singapore Airlines (SQ, Singapore Changi) unit will add three more B737 MAX 8s through year-end. It has options for an additional fourteen of the type which are interchangeable for B737 MAX 7 and 9s.
SilkAir also operates three A319-100s, ten A320-200s, and seventeen B737-800s on full-service operations spanning China, India, Southeast Asia, and Australia.

ch aviation

SilkAir has added Laos to its regional route network with the launch on 31 October of a thrice-weekly service from Singapore to Luang Prabang via Vientiane

From Luang Prabang the aircraft returns straight back to Singapore. Competition is provided by Lao Airlines which also serves the same routes thrice-weekly. The regional wing of Singapore Airlines will use its A320s to serve the market. SilkAir’s CEO, Leslie Thng, noted: “Southeast Asia has always been an important market for us and with the start of flights to Vientiane and Luang Prabang, we will offer travellers connectivity to every country in Southeast Asia. We believe that this new service has great potential, as more travellers turn their interest to Southeast Asia and destinations such as Laos. This new service will also allow Laotians increased connectivity to the rest of the world via Singapore.”

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SILK AIR - B737-800W - 9M-MGC

Kobayashi - Taichung - Taiwan

Routes:

Australia - 

Cambodia - 

China - 

India 

Indonesia 

Malaysia

Myanmar

Nepal

Philippine

Singapore

Thailand

Vietnam

Boeing, SilkAir Begins Transition to All 737 Fleet

Delivery of SilkAir's first Next-Generation 737-800

Chris G. - Seattle Boeing Field/King County

737 enables SilkAir to fly longer routes, increase capacitySEATTLE, Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and SilkAir celebrated today the delivery of the carrier's first Next-Generation 737-800. The delivery also marked the start of the Singapore-based airline's transition to an all-Boeing fleet. Over the coming years, Boeing will deliver a total of 23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s to SilkAir.

"The new Boeing 737 aircraft will support our network expansion plans," said SilkAir Chief Executive Leslie Thng. "The transition to an all-Boeing fleet will enable us to efficiently serve more destinations, fly longer routes and increase capacity on existing routes."

SilkAir's new 737 will enter service later this month, flying to existing destinations including in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia. With the follow-on 737 deliveries, SilkAir will fly the aircraft to more destinations in Cambodia, Vietnam, India and the Philippines starting in March.

"As air travel in the Asia Pacific region continues to grow, Boeing is proud to support SilkAir's plans to fly more passengers and serve more cities," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "The 737-800s efficiency and reliability makes it an excellent addition to the SilkAir fleet. SilkAir's passengers also will enjoy an enhanced flying experience with the comfort of the 737 Boeing Sky Interior and the airline's award-winning service."

The Boeing 737-800 is the best-selling versions of the highly successful Next-Generation 737 family, the most technologically advanced airplanes in the single-aisle market. The Next-Generation 737 is the most fuel-efficient and reliable single-aisle airplane today. The airplane provides added value to airlines by delivering reliability, simplicity and reduced operating and maintenance costs.

The 737 features the Boeing Sky Interior, which highlights new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins.

SilkAir is a full-service airline and the regional wing of Singapore Airlines. It currently flies more than 350 weekly flights to 45 destinations in 12 countries.

SilkAir Celebrates its Silver Anniversary

With 25 years in the air under its wing, SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, will be celebrating its Silver anniversary this year. Marking its anniversary celebrations, the airline will be taking delivery of the first aircraft in its new fleet of 54 Boeing 737s in early February 2014. A total of eight planes are expected this year, with the remaining aircraft to be delivered by the end of this decade. This delivery will enable SilkAir to maintain a young and modern fleet, and cater for the airline’s continued network expansion plans by significantly growing its existing fleet. With the new aircraft, several enhancements will be offered to improve the in-flight experience for travellers including upgraded cabin interiors with more spacious overhead luggage compartments and lighting systems.

In addition to the milestone aircraft delivery, SilkAir will roll out a host of surprises and celebrations for their avid Asian traveller target. For starters, to rally consumers and involve them in SilkAir’s historic Boeing delivery, the airline will bring fans and aviation lovers together to virtually deliver the new aircraft to Singapore. Tracking the actual delivery route, from the Boeing Renton factory in Seattle to Singapore’s Changi Airport via Honolulu, Majuro and Guam, the ‘Bringing Boeing Home with SilkAir’ programme is Asia’s first 25-hour flight simulator event that will allow up to 150 selected members of the public to fly a simulator SilkAir Boeing 737-800 plane into Singapore. The event will take place overnight from 7th to 8th February 2014 at Flight Experience Singapore, located at the Singapore Flyer.
SilkAir travellers will also be rewarded through special promotional deals where 250,000 tickets will be made available at special rates for consumers in Singapore and across the region.
Commenting on the anniversary celebrations, SilkAir Chief Executive, Mr. Leslie Thng, said “It is a tremendously exciting time for the airline, and I am honoured and humbled to be part of such a milestone celebration. I would like to pay a special tribute to our 1,500 employees who have been with us on our incredible 25 year journey. Without their unwavering support, dedication and heart, we would not be here today.”
He added, “SilkAir’s success is also due to the on-going support from our passengers and the public. Helping travellers discover Asia’s newest frontiers for the past 25 years, we are always looking at ways to enhance the journey for our customers. Our new Boeing fleet will enable us to put the passenger at the centre of our focus, with the objective to deliver a higher level of quality and experience. Despite aggressive competition, we have maintained a strong foothold in the market as a full service regional carrier and become known for offering access to unique destinations, with genuine and thoughtful service that exemplifies true Asian hospitality. Moving forward, we will continue to improve and adapt, catering to the evolving needs of travellers in Asia. For instance, to appeal to a more well-travelled audience looking for adventure, we will focus on expanding our network to unique destinations especially in key markets such as China, India and Indonesia. We will continue to build on the last 25 years, and soar to new heights of air travel excellence.”
The demand for flight travel in Asia-Pacific continues to rise, presenting vast opportunities for growth. The Boeing 737-800 delivery allows SilkAir to tap into the growing demand and explore the opening of routes across Asia for our travellers. To meet the need for more crew and pilots with the right skills to operate and run the Boeing 737 fleet, SilkAir has invested in conversion training at Singapore’s Boeing Flight Services Training Centre to equip existing staff with the skills needed for the transition.
The first aircraft is planned to enter service from 20 February 2014, flying to destinations including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket and Medan while the arrival of the second plane will allow the addition of other routes for the new aircraft including Siem Reap, Danang, Davao, Cebu and Kochi from 17 March 2014.
Since its inception, the Airline’s network has expanded to cover 45 exotic destinations in 12 countries across the region. A full-service carrier that offers services and features that ensure enjoyable and reliable travel experiences, SilkAir has maintained a strong position in the intra-Asian market and is already Asia’s most awarded regional airline, with recent titles such as Regional Airline of the Year (Air Transport News 2013 Awards) as well as the TTG Asia Travel Awards Hall of Fame to its name.

Singapore Airlines Prepares for Arrival of SilkAir Boeing 737

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has revealed the first Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 of its partner carrier, SilkAir, will provisionally enter passenger operation on February 20, 2014 between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur and Penang. The information was detailed following the latest update of the carrier’s GDS flight inventory which shows the 737-800s operating to six international markets during the first quarter of 2014.




SilkAir, the regional wing of SIA, is currently an exclusive Airbus operator but it agreed terms with Boeing in August last year to rollover and expand its existing fleet with up to 68 new aircraft from the US manufacturer, including its new MAX version of the 737. The deal, formalised in November 2012 included firm orders for 54 aircraft (23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s) and purchase rights for an additional 14, with flexibility to switch to other variants within the B737 product range.

SilkAir will end this year with 24 Airbus A320 Family aircraft – a mix of A319s and A320s – so the Boeing deal not only allows it to renew its fleet but provides scope for future network growth. At the time of the commitment Boeing confirmed that deliveries were due to begin in 2014 and continue to 2021 and it appears that the first aircraft will arrive at Singaporean carrier as early as late January or early February next year.



According to SIA’s GDS listing the SilkAir 737-800s will debut on the Singapore – Kuala Lumpur and Singapore – Penang routes from February 20, 2014 as well as the Singapore – Phuket link from February 21, 2014. As additional aircraft arrive the type will subsequently debut on the Singapore – Siem Reap – Da Nang and Singapore – Da Nang – Siem Reap routes from March 17, 2014 and March 18, 2014, respectively and then on Singapore – Kochi from March 20, 2014.

SILK AIR - A320-200, 9V-SLD

Alexandre Mourinha - Kuala Lampur

Boeing, SilkAir Finalize Order for 54 737s

- Order includes 23 Next-Generation 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s - SilkAir begins fleet transition to Boeing aircraft - Boeing 737 surpasses 1,000 orders in a single year for the first time   SINGAPORE, Nov. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) and SilkAir have finalized an order for 54 Next-Generation 737s and 737 MAX 8s worth $4.9 billion at list prices. With this agreement, the 737 MAX has accumulated 969 orders to date. SilkAir's order for 23 737-800s and 31 737 MAX 8s is the largest order in the airline's history and begins a fleet transition to Boeing airplanes. "The capability of the 737s will enable us to spread our wings to even more destinations and increase capacity on existing routes," said SilkAir Chief Executive Leslie Thng. The Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX can fly farther than competing airplanes, enabling airlines to open new routes. "As air travel in the Asia Pacific region continues to grow, we're proud to support SilkAir as it plans to fly more passengers and serve more cities," said Dinesh Keskar, senior vice president of Asia Pacific and India Sales, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "Passengers will soon experience not only SilkAir's award-winning service, but the comfort of the 737 Boeing Sky Interior." Both the Next-Generation 737 and 737 MAX feature the Boeing Sky Interior, which highlights new modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger pivoting overhead stowage bins. The 737 MAX is a new-engine variant of the world's best-selling airplane and builds on the strengths of today's Next-Generation 737. The 737 MAX incorporates the latest-technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 13 percent fuel-use improvement over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes and an 8 percent operating cost per seat advantage over tomorrow's competition. The SilkAir order brings the net year-to-date total for 737s ordered in 2012 to 1,031 airplanes. This is the first time in the single-aisle jetliner's history that it has logged more than 1,000 orders in a single year. The 737 also broke its own record for net orders this past October when it topped the 2007 record of 846 orders. SilkAir is a full-service airline and the regional wing of Singapore Airlines. It currently flies to 42 destinations across 12 countries.