Given the geographical nearness of Malaysia and Singapore, it makes good sense – which is one reason that Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines have just agreed to cooperate and draw closer together.
The two airlines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to boost co-operative ties.
Under the terms of the MOU, according to an official statement, the two airline groups will “explore a wide-ranging strategic partnership to build on their existing codeshare agreement that covers flights between Singapore and Malaysia”.
Enhanced ties could include expansion of codeshare flights beyond Singapore-Malaysia routes, as well as enhancements on the frequent flyer front.
A formal agreement, set for final approval in coming months, will also include SIA subsidiaries SilkAir and Scoot, as well as Firefly, the sister airline of MAB.
“SIA and MAB operate in a region with a rapidly growing air travel market, presenting significant growth opportunities for both carriers,” SIA chief executive, Goh Choon Phong, commented.
“Both airlines have extensive operations within ASEAN, as well as large networks that cover many other parts of the world. We are proud to announce this MOU to expand the scope of our cooperation, increase global connectivity for Malaysia and Singapore, and enhance our service offerings for our customers.”
Malaysia Airlines’ group chief executive, Captain Izham Ismail, said that Malaysia Airlines had historically always maintained strong commercial and cultural links with Singapore Airlines.
“My team and I are extremely pleased to be able to build on that close relationship even further, this time across many areas of both airlines’ ecosystems,” Izham said.
Izham also noted that the pact would also, for the first time, involve all five airlines in total including subsidiaries Firefly, SilkAir and Scoot.
“Via this partnership, we look forward to adding more value to the customer proposition,” Izham added.
Edited by Peter Needham
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