When to expect a Singaporean air carrier?

[IMG=18189-3657]

As a BANKO correspondent found out, Singapore Airlines plan to launch flights with the route Singapore – Dubai – Moscow. This will presumably take place in January 2006. There is already information available suggesting that Boeing-777-200 will fly to Domodedovo airport. Experts expect Singapore Airlines to fill the niche for elite air services in the South-Eastern direction, because the airline is known for its excellent service and, consequently, expensive tickets. Thus, according to preliminary information, a flight in economy class will cost at least $850 (plus duties).
   According to experts, there are not yet many airlines of a similar class operating on this route. Yana Bakhteuzova, head of Spectrum’s South East Department, set as an example flights by Japan Airlines with a stop-over in Tokyo. It is also possible to get to Singapore by Emirates via Dubai and by Qatar Airways via Doha.
   Experts believe that considering these facts the arrival of Singapore Airlines would mean a possibility to add new tour package options for travel firms. ‘This will also have a positive effect on the prices’, - assumes Larisa Lagutina, Deputy Director of Direct Sales Office from Lanta Tour Voyage. Yana Bakhteuzova adds that the air services market expansion will be quite opportune, because the demand in this destination is growing. ‘Partly because Indonesia has permitted to obtain visas on arrival’, - says the expert.
   However, no one from the players interviewed by BANKO has signed a contract with Singapore Airlines, although many admitted that negotiations were underway. As we managed to find out, Singapore Airlines have not even decided either on the airport or the gateway. This information was given to BANKO in the airline’s Moscow office. It is also interesting to note that according to the press service of East Line Group, Domodedovo airport did not receive any official cooperation proposal from Singapore Airlines.