Singapore Airlines requests permission to fly between UK and USA

Airline Industry Information, Sept 4, 2000

AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION-(C)1997-2000 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

Singapore Airlines has asked the British government to allow it to operate flights between London, UK and the USA.

Vijendran Alfreds, the carrier's manager for UK and Ireland, has sent a letter to the Financial Times claiming that consumers are being denied choice on the route since 97% of transatlantic services are operated by two US carriers and two UK carriers. Alfreds also noted that British Airways enjoyed 'fifth freedom' rights between third countries to fly from Singapore to Australasia.

Alfreds says that opening up transatlantic routes to 'third carriers' would improve consumer choice and provide better value for money according to Reuters.

Singapore Airlines' bid to operate between London and the US has been supported by a UK parliamentary committee that reported in August and the UK Travel Trade Gazette has apparently predicted that the carrier's request to fly between London and New York will be granted.

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