NEW product offerings by Singapore Airlines (SIA) are helping to keep the growth momentum in the Singapore-Manila route upbeat.
Carol Ong, general manager, Philippines, Guam and USTT (United States Trust Territories) at SIA said one of the reasons accounting for the growth are the first class seats, where SIA is the only carrier offering the product after reintroducing it in January.
The “fundamental demand” for first class come from Manila-bound travellers from Singapore and from Manila on connecting flights via Singapore to other destinations like Sydney and Europe, said Ong.
She added that last month’s launch of a SilverKris lounge at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal three underscores the growing importance of the Philippine market.
The Manila lounge is also the only one in South-east Asia and the fourth in the world after those in London, Hong Kong and Sydney.
Ong said the debut of SIA’s premium economy class in August is expected to further boost travel to and from the Philippines. Although it won’t be available on shorthaul Singapore-Manila services, it will be available on flights to other SIA destinations via Singapore.
Like SIA, sister airline SilkAir is also enjoying brisk business connecting Singapore to secondary gateways in the Philippines, with Boracay and Cebu being added to its routes last year.
