Dreamliners to drive Scoot expansion
This year will see low cost carrier Scoot focus on preparing the business for the arrival of its order of Boeing 787 aircraft, with any further expansion of its network shelved until 2015, according to chief Campbell Wilson.
The airline last week revealed that the first of its 20 Dreamliners on order, a 787-9, will arrive in November. It has an order for 10 787-9s and 10 slightly smaller 787-8s.
The airline, which has been in operation for 18 months, currently has a “starter fleet” of six Boeing 777-200 aircraft which were inherited from parent company Singapore Airlines. They operate to 13 destinations including 6800 weekly seats to Australian ports Sydney, the Gold Coast and Perth.
The West Australian capital was added to the network in December, and while Melbourne is a likely next choice, it won’t be happening this year, Wilson told Travel Today.
“This year is about ensuring our foundation is stable and preparing the ground for 787s,” he said. “We’re maxed out in terms of capacity until the new aircraft arrives. In 2015, we’ll look to expand our frequency and destinations.
“In Australia, we’re covering west, we’re covering east but we’re not currently in between – that’s on the agenda in 2015.”
Meanwhile, he confirmed that the Dreamliner’s first routes are still being decided but will likely be to either Australia, Taiwan or Japan. An announcement is expected to be made in July.
The new aircraft will be configured with a total of 375 seats. ScootBiz will feature 35 all-leather seats, with extendable leg-rest and a “cradle” recline position, arranged in a 2-3-2 configuration. The 340 economy seats will be in a 3-3-3 layout. The airline’s special seats types – S-T-R-E-T-C-H and ScootinSilence – will be enhanced with adjustable headrests, with all passengers able to access inseat power.
The entire aircraft will also be able to access inflight streaming, Wilson revealed.
“It’s part of a bigger global initiative to change the band that satellites communicating with aircraft use,” he said. “Once these bands are activated, both bandwidth and the price of inflight internet will improve dramatically.”
By mid-2015 all Scoot flights will be operated by 787s.
Meanwhile, Scoot continues to work towards the launch of NokScoot – a Bangkok-based budget airline created in partnership with Thailand’s Nok Airlines.
Nok, Thailand’s second largest low cost carrier, will own up to 51% and Scoot 49%. The initial investment will be SGD80 million ($71.2m).
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