Finally, Singapore Airlines has raised the curtain on its highly anticipated low-cost subsidiary, Scoot, which is on track to begin operations by mid-2012.
The new airline, launched today, will adhere to the typical and successful no-frills business model, offering airfares that are up to 40 per cent less than legacy carriers with a two-cabin configuration. As is usual for a low-cost carrier, passengers will have the power to choose from add on options such as meals, preferred seats and checked in baggage. The carrier will be based at Changi Airport Terminal 2.
An initial fleet of four Boeing B777-200 aircraft, densely configured with up to 400 seats, will be used to launch flights into destinations within Australasia and China, although specific cities have yet to be named. Eventually, longer-range aircraft will be deployed to offer low-cost services to India, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
“We chose the name ‘Scoot’ for many reasons, not least because it’s different,” explains Campbell Wilson, chief executive of Scoot. “Rather than the tried and tested “airlines” this, “airways” that or “air” yawn, it’s short, sharp, snappy. It stands out. It’s geographically independent and can be a verb or a noun. Besides different, it conveys spontaneity, movement, informality and a touch of quirkiness – all attributes we intend this company to be known for,” said Wilson.
That quirky attitude is reflected in the carrier’s logo and livery, which follows a refreshing mango yellow-and-white colour scheme. For the logo, the word “Scoot” (all in lower case) is set within a cute yellow bubble, again reflecting a fun and funky persona or, as Wilson puts it, “Scootitude.”
Along with the official launch of Scoot, the carrier has also launched its own website and Facebook page where visitors can sign up for updates and new destination announcements as they happen.
Scoot’s launch is extremely timely, given the growth in the low-cost carrier market within the region. According to the CAPA Centre for Aviation, the low-cost carrier market’s share of the global aviation market grew by 7.7 per cent between October 2010 and October this year. Within Asia, the growth of this market sector is seen in the growth of LCC seat capacity, which jumped by 14 per cent since July 2010, reflecting high demand (see our in-depth feature analysis here).
Continued growth and heated competition is expected with the introduction of at least four new low-cost players next year (see story here).
For more information, visit www.flyscoot.com or Scoot’s Facebook page.
Alisha Haridasani
Along with the official launch of Scoot, the carrier has also launched its own website and Facebook page where visitors can sign up for updates and new destination announcements as they happen.
Scoot’s launch is extremely timely, given the growth in the low-cost carrier market within the region. According to the CAPA Centre for Aviation, the low-cost carrier market’s share of the global aviation market grew by 7.7 per cent between October 2010 and October this year. Within Asia, the growth of this market sector is seen in the growth of LCC seat capacity, which jumped by 14 per cent since July 2010, reflecting high demand (see our in-depth feature analysis here).
Continued growth and heated competition is expected with the introduction of at least four new low-cost players next year (see story here).
For more information, visit www.flyscoot.com or Scoot’s Facebook page.
Alisha Haridasani 
