Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines to codeshare, explore commercial collaboration

Dhaka: An announcement made on December 2 said Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a new strategic partnership.

The outcome is that THAI and SIA will progressively codeshare more extensively on each other's services and start exploring opportunities for commercial collaboration on a wide range of services. The shared aim is to give customers more options, more value, greater benefits and an enhanced travel experience.

Initially, the only route the two will codeshare on each other's services is between Bangkok and Singapore.

The other routes nominated in the announcement involved THAI codesharing on SIA services to the US, Canada and South Africa from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN).

The US destinations are Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Newark Liberty (EWR), San Francisco (SFO) and Seattle (SEA).

In South Africa, THAI can codeshare to Johannesburg (JNB) and Cape Town (CPT) and Vancouver (YVR) in Canada.

THAI Acting CEO Suvadhana Sibunruang said the partnership would expand THAI's network to more service points in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Europe, India and the South West Pacific.

"The codeshare arrangements will greatly benefit our customers in a range of services, including the frequent flyer programme, customer experiences, lounge access and airport ground services. The collaboration strengthens both the airlines' networks as members of Star Alliance."

His SIA counterpart and CEO, Goh Choon Phong, said SIA and THAI aim to strengthen their long-standing close relationship through this comprehensive agreement.

He added, "Both airlines have a loyal customer base, as well as extensive operations within South East Asia and around the world. This is a win-win opportunity to support the growth of our respective hubs and enhance the options and service offerings for our customers."