Singapore Airlines

Who owns Singapore Airlines?
Singapore Airlines is majority-owned by Temasek Holdings, Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, which holds approximately 57% of shares. Temasek is wholly owned by the Singapore government through the Ministry of Finance. The remaining approximately 43% of shares are publicly traded on the Singapore Exchange under ticker SIA and are held by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders.

Is Singapore Airlines publicly traded?
Yes, Singapore Airlines is publicly traded on the Singapore Exchange under ticker SIA. However, Temasek Holdings holds approximately 57% of shares, giving the Singapore government effective control. The ownership structure combines public trading with state control, allowing the airline to operate as a commercial entity while serving Singapore's strategic interests as a global aviation hub.

What was Singapore Airlines' profit in FY2025?
Singapore Airlines reported net profit of SGD 2.05 billion for FY2025 (fiscal year ended March 31, 2025), with total revenue of SGD 19.0 billion. This represents a decline from the record SGD 2.68 billion net profit in FY2024 but remains the third-highest profit in the airline's history. The decline reflects normalization of post-pandemic travel demand, increased competition, and higher fuel costs.

What is the Singapore Airlines stake in Air India?
In November 2024, Singapore Airlines completed the acquisition of a 25.1% stake in Air India as part of a merger between Air India and Vistara (a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons). This gives Singapore Airlines significant exposure to the fast-growing Indian aviation market, which is expected to become one of the world's largest aviation markets by 2030.

When was Singapore Airlines founded?
Singapore Airlines was founded on October 1, 1972, following the split of Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) into two separate airlines. The airline's origins trace back to 1947 with the founding of Malayan Airways, which operated a single route between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. Singapore Airlines has operated continuously for more than 50 years as an independent carrier.

What is Scoot?
Scoot is Singapore Airlines' low-cost subsidiary, operating medium and long-haul routes from Singapore to destinations across Asia, Australia, and Europe. Scoot targets price-sensitive leisure travelers and competes with other low-cost carriers in the region. Scoot was formed in 2011 and merged with Tigerair in 2017, consolidating Singapore Airlines' low-cost operations under a single brand.

Singapore Airlines traces its origins to 1947 when Malayan Airways was founded as a joint venture between the Ocean Steamship Company, the Straits Steamship Company, and Imperial Airways (later BOAC). The airline initially operated a single route between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur using a twin-engine Airspeed Consul aircraft.

As Malaysia and Singapore moved toward independence, the airline was renamed Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA) in 1966. Following Singapore's separation from Malaysia in 1965 and the subsequent divergence of interests between the two countries, MSA was split into two separate airlines in 1972: Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airline System (now Malaysia Airlines).

Singapore Airlines began operations as an independent carrier on October 1, 1972. The airline quickly established itself as a premium international carrier, investing heavily in modern aircraft, in-flight service, and the Singapore Girl brand identity. The Singapore Girl, introduced in 1972, became one of aviation's most recognizable brand icons.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Singapore Airlines expanded its long-haul network, connecting Singapore with Europe, North America, and Australia. The airline became one of the first to operate the Boeing 747 and developed a reputation for exceptional service quality that consistently earned it top rankings in airline surveys.

In 1989, Singapore Airlines became the launch customer for the Boeing 747-400. The airline continued its tradition of operating the latest aircraft technology, becoming a launch customer for the Airbus A380 in 2007, the world's largest commercial aircraft. Singapore Airlines retired its A380 fleet temporarily during the pandemic but returned the aircraft to service as travel demand recovered.

Singapore Airlines joined the Star Alliance in 2000, expanding its global network through partnerships with other leading carriers.

In 2004, Singapore Airlines launched Tiger Airways (later Tigerair) as a low-cost carrier. Tigerair was later merged into Scoot in 2017. The airline also operated SilkAir as a regional carrier serving shorter-haul routes in Asia. SilkAir was fully integrated into Singapore Airlines' mainline operations in 2023, with all SilkAir routes and aircraft transferred to the Singapore Airlines brand.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted Singapore Airlines, which is almost entirely dependent on international travel. The airline grounded most of its fleet in 2020 and raised approximately SGD 15 billion in equity and debt financing to survive the crisis. The Singapore government, through Temasek, provided critical support.

Following the reopening of international travel in 2022, Singapore Airlines experienced a dramatic recovery. In FY2023 (ended March 2023), the airline reported record net profit of SGD 2.16 billion. In FY2024 (ended March 2024), it surpassed that record with net profit of SGD 2.68 billion. For FY2025 (ended March 2025), net profit was SGD 2.05 billion, reflecting normalization of post-pandemic demand.

In November 2024, Singapore Airlines completed the acquisition of a 25.1% stake in Air India as part of a merger between Air India and Vistara (a joint venture between Singapore Airlines and Tata Sons). The transaction gave Singapore Airlines a significant stake in one of India's largest airlines, providing access to the fast-growing Indian aviation market.

In May 2024, Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 experienced severe turbulence over the Andaman Sea, resulting in one passenger death and dozens of injuries. The incident prompted investigations by aviation authorities and led to reviews of turbulence safety procedures across the industry.

Singapore Airlines publishes an annual sustainability report covering its environmental, social, and governance performance. The airline has committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 and has set interim targets for reducing carbon intensity.

Singapore Airlines is a member of the IATA (International Air Transport Association) and supports the industry's commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The airline has invested in sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and has signed agreements with SAF producers to supply its operations at selected airports. In 2024, Singapore Airlines began using blended SAF on selected flights from Singapore and has committed to increasing SAF usage over time.

The airline operates one of the youngest wide-body fleets in the industry, with an average aircraft age of approximately 6 years. Modern aircraft including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 are approximately 25% more fuel-efficient than the aircraft they replace, reducing both fuel costs and carbon emissions per passenger.

Singapore Airlines has implemented operational efficiency measures including optimized flight routes, reduced aircraft weight, and improved air traffic management procedures to reduce fuel consumption. The airline reports its carbon emissions data in accordance with global reporting frameworks.

On social responsibility, Singapore Airlines supports community programs in Singapore and its destination markets, including education initiatives, arts and cultural programs, and disaster relief efforts. The airline maintains diversity and inclusion programs for its workforce of approximately 27,000 employees.

The airline's sustainability challenges include the fundamental carbon intensity of aviation, the limited availability and high cost of sustainable aviation fuel, and the need to balance emissions reduction with the growth in air travel demand.

Singapore Airlines has received extensive recognition for its service quality, product innovation, and operational excellence.

• Skytrax World Airline Awards: Singapore Airlines has been named World's Best Airline multiple times, most recently in 2023 and 2024. The airline also consistently wins awards for Best First Class, Best Business Class, and Best Cabin Crew.
• TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards: Singapore Airlines has been recognized by TripAdvisor as a top airline based on traveler reviews and ratings.
• Air Transport World Airline of the Year: Singapore Airlines has received the ATW Airline of the Year award, recognizing overall excellence in the aviation industry.
• World Travel Awards: Singapore Airlines has been named World's Leading Airline multiple times at the World Travel Awards.
• Changi Airport Awards: Singapore Airlines benefits from its hub at Changi Airport, which has been named World's Best Airport by Skytrax multiple times, most recently in 2025.

Singapore Airlines has faced scrutiny related to safety incidents, regulatory compliance, and the competitive dynamics of the aviation industry.

In May 2024, Singapore Airlines Flight SQ321 from London to Singapore experienced severe turbulence over the Andaman Sea, resulting in one passenger death and dozens of injuries. The Boeing 777-300ER made an emergency landing in Bangkok. The incident prompted investigations by Singapore's Transport Safety Investigation Bureau and raised questions about turbulence detection and safety procedures. Singapore Airlines reviewed its turbulence safety protocols in response to the incident and provided compensation to affected passengers.

The COVID-19 pandemic created significant financial and operational challenges for Singapore Airlines. The airline grounded most of its fleet in 2020 and raised approximately SGD 15 billion in equity and debt financing. The Singapore government's support through Temasek was critical to the airline's survival but raised questions about the appropriate level of state support for a commercially operated airline.

The Vistara-Air India merger, which gave Singapore Airlines a 25.1% stake in Air India, required regulatory approvals from multiple jurisdictions including India, Singapore, and the European Union. Competition authorities reviewed the transaction for potential market concentration issues, particularly on routes between India and Singapore. The merger was approved and completed in November 2024.

Singapore Airlines has faced regulatory scrutiny related to its market position on certain routes, particularly between Singapore and key Asian destinations. The airline's dominance at Changi Airport has been examined by competition authorities, though no formal action has been taken.

The airline has also faced scrutiny over its labor practices, particularly regarding cabin crew working conditions and compensation. Singapore Airlines maintains that its compensation and working conditions are competitive within the aviation industry.