Singapore Airlines seeks tie-ups in India, China

Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Thursday said it is looking for potential partnerships in India and China, a move that could help it stay profitable. The airline is specifically working closely with airlines in China and India, especially those that are in the same alliance, SIA chief executive Goh Choon Phong told reporters.

He did not name the airlines that SIA could partner with, saying discussions were ongoing and an announcement would be made at a right time. SIA is to launch its own fully-owned budget airline Scoot, joining an increasing number of low-cost carriers in Southeast Asia. Globally, SIA is a member of the Star Alliance along with China.

The airline had earlier tried to set up a joint venture in India with Tatas but that attempt had not materialised. Meanwhile, discussions are on in India to open up the airlines sector to FDI. Although overseas institutional investments are allowed in the sector, no foreign airline is allowed direct investment in Indian carriers.

Goh's disclosures for likely tie-up with Asia's biggest markets came after SIA reported 69% drop year-on-year in net profit to SGD 336 million (about Rs 1,439 crore) for the financial year 2011-12, though it had a nominal 2% increase in turnover to SGD 14.86 billion.