The Strategic Deployment of the Airbus A350-900XWB Aircraft in a Full-Service Network Carrier Route Network: The Case of Singapore Airlines

Abstract

In the global airline industry, an airline’s fleet routing affects its profitability, level of service and its competitive position. Using a qualitative research approach, this paper examines Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900XWB fleet deployment and route network development for the period 2016 to 2018. The qualitative data was examined using document analysis. The study found that Singapore Airlines has deployed the Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft on new air routes from Singapore to Cape Town via Johannesburg, Düsseldorf and Stockholm via Moscow and return. The Airbus A350-900XWB aircraft are also replacing older, less efficient aircraft as part of the company’s fleet modernization strategy. Singapore Airlines is also acquiring the new ultra-long-range variant of the Airbus A350-900XWB for use on its proposed new non-stop services from Singapore to Los Angeles and Newark Liberty Airport in New Jersey, USA. The longest flight stage length is the Singapore to San Francisco route which is 7339 nautical miles (13,594 km) in length. The shortest stage length is between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (160 nautical miles or 297 km). The new non-stop services from Singapore to Los Angeles and New York City will be the longest non-stop services operated by Singapore Airlines. The flight stage lengths between Singapore and Los Angeles and Singapore and Newark Liberty Airport are 7621 nautical miles (14,114 km) and 8285 nautical miles (15,344 km), respectively. The greatest number of available seat kilometers (ASKs) are generated on Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 XWB service from Singapore to San Francisco (3.57 million ASKs). The smallest number of ASKs produced are on the short-haul service from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (75,141 ASKs).