Acting Thai Airways CEO Suvadhana Sibunruang (left) and Singapore Airlines CEO Goh Choon Phong greet after signing a memorandum of understanding.
SINGAPORE—Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines (SIA) expect to see greater commercial collaboration and codesharing now that the two flag-carriers have signed a strategic partnership memorandum of understanding.
The first phase of the partnership will see both airlines codeshare on each other flights on Singapore-Bangkok services.
Subject to regulatory approval, by the first quarter of 2023 Thai will place its codes on SIA’s flights to Cape Town (CPT) and Johannesburg (JNB); Houston (IAH); Los Angeles (LAX); New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Newark Airport (EWR); San Francisco (SFO); Seattle (SEA); and Vancouver (YVR).
There are also plans to have similar codeshare arrangements to Europe, India, and Southwest Pacific destinations. SIA’s network into the Indian market is expected to expand further following the integration of Vistara and Air India and SIA’s acquisition of a 25.1% stake in the Indian flag carrier. Thai Airways, SIA and Air India are Star Alliance members.
The North America market is particularly strong for SIA, which is operating at around 110% of 2019 levels with nonstop services to five cities utilizing Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Thai Airways lost its North American network after it ceased Bangkok-Los Angeles service in 2015.
“The codeshare arrangements will greatly benefit our customers in a range of service areas including the frequent-flier program, customer experiences, lounge access and airport ground services,” Thai Airways acting CEO Suvadhana Sibunruang says.
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