SQ 231 & 232 (77W) from 2 June 09

[Nick C]

None. Only 773s.

[Stefan Perkas]

Evening all,

Save starting another topic, I thought I would put this here, as it is to do with Singapore Airlines.

Singapore Airlines from 28MAR10 is adjusting Airbus A380 operation on Singapore – Sydney service.
There are no changes on the Singapore to Sydney sector, which A380 operates on SQ221 flight.
However, inbound from Sydney, sees SQ220 operated by A380 instead of SQ222.

So basically,

SQ221 (A388) arrives same time, instead of departing as SQ222, the A388 will now depart at 0805 as SQ220. (Same as when A388's first started to YSSY)

So the aircraft that operates SQ219 will depart as SQ222.

But if both SQ231 and SQ219 are being operated by B77A's from MAR28th, the aircraft that operates SQ219 should depart as SQ232 and SQ231 should go out as SQ232. This option sounds better, i think.

[Wenglock M]

Originally Posted by Stefan Perkas

So the aircraft that operates SQ219 will depart as SQ222.

But if both SQ231 and SQ219 are being operated by B77A's from MAR28th, the aircraft that operates SQ219 should depart as SQ232 and SQ231 should go out as SQ232. This option sounds better, i think.

Slight correction - the B777-300ER will now be on the SQ231/SQ222 and SQ233/SQ234 rotations, with the B777-300A on the SQ219/SQ232 rotation from 01 May (B777-200ER from 28 Mar to 30 Apr).

[Nick C]

Correct.

A380-800
SIN-SYD SQ221
SYD-SIN SQ220

777-300A
SIN-SYD SQ219
SYD-SIN SQ232

777-300ER #1
SIN-SYD SQ233
SYD-SIN SQ234

777-300ER #2
SIN-SYD SQ231
SYD-SIN SQ222

[James Smith]

Has this decision been made to increase the productivity of the SQ A388 fleet? It doesn't look as though it is to enable a better fit and onward operation of the new Zurich A388 flights which also commence on the same day, or indeed HK or Tokyo from their schedules. The SQ A388 will still have a nearly 10 hour layover in Melbourne each day. Maybe it is due to excessive parking fees which they will still incur from the 777 layovers.

[Sam Chui]

Can anyone inform when is the last Op of SIA B747-400?

I am not quite convinced with the new A380 schedule. Always thought SQ222have the heaviest load and premium over other 3 flights.

[Wenglock M]

Originally Posted by James Smith

/
The SQ A388 will still have a nearly 10 hour layover in Melbourne each day.
/

Melbourne is getting a schedule switch as well, with the new rotation being the somewhat suboptimal SQ227/SQ238 (1010 departure from MEL). SQ228 will then morph into the B777-300 (the refurbished ones later in the year).

It's been suspected that with only one additional A380 delivered in January, and none until late in 2010, there is not enough frames to operate the current rotations. Hence, with the adjusted schedules, they can dedicate two frames to just doing the Australian runs since all are same-day returns rather than the current rotations, which mean the aircraft get back to SIN too late to operate the next day's flight back.

[Arthur T]

I wish this schedule change can happen earlier or even immediately that I didn't need to suffer from sitting in a poor and dangerous B744 on SQ220 to Singapore.

However I just want to know SQ 220 departs Sydney at 8.15am (Summer Time) and 8.05am (Winter Time) and from what I saw the A380 arrives the next gate as my B744 when my flight is in boarding stage, i.e. 7.45am.

So I just want to know whether the A380 will able to turnaround in Sydney in 30 minutes from SQ221 to SQ220. Furthermore, the SQ 222 and SQ 234 are connecting London services, demand should be high; where SQ 220 nearly does not connect flights but it is just barely full (with few spare seats even early in peak season), whether A380 is suitable in this route or replacing with B772ER and launch 5th & 6th Daily will be a more feasible idea.

[Wenglock M]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

So I just want to know whether the A380 will able to turnaround in Sydney in 30 minutes from SQ221 to SQ220.

Arthur, as this schedule change (for the A380) only occurs wef Mar 28, the turnaround for the A380 in Sydney will be 120 minutes (0705-0905 from Mar 29 - Apr 03, and 0605-0805 thereafter).

However, whether SQ221 gets in early or ontime is another matter (my experiences have been varied on this flight, whereas they're usually quite timely on the other flights).

As has been mentioned on posts above, while this is not an optimal rotation for the A380 (even by SIA's own admission two years back when the A380 first started off on this rotation), they probably don't have a choice as they don't have the required number of aircraft to sustain the current schedule.

[Mike W]

Originally Posted by Arthur T

I wish this schedule change can happen earlier or even immediately that I didn't need to suffer from sitting in a poor and dangerous B744 on SQ220 to Singapore.

Are you serious Arthur? SQ are famous for having a young, well maintained fleet and their 744's are (sans Global Economic Crisis) always in big demand when they are finished with them as they are so young (relatively) and well maintained. Just ask Air Pacific and Cathay for example

Surely you jest? Dangerous? Good Grief!