Scoot Selects Route Exchange to Support Network Development

The new medium- and long-haul low-cost division of Singapore Airlines (SIA), Scoot, has joined forces with Routes, a UBM Aviation company, to support its network development strategy. A tentative agreement was reached in Singapore this week for Scoot to make use of Routesonline’s respected Internet-based Route Exchange platform to support the next stage of its growth.

The start-up carrier was formally launched on November 1 and will announce its initial routes from Singapore’s Changi International Airport over the coming months. It plans to inaugurate operations mid-year initially using four Boeing 777-200s purchased from its parent company.
16112011 Scoot RFP

Scoot has ambitious development plans and will make use of the respected internet-based Route Exchange platform from Routesonline to support the next stage of its growth. The carrier is currently finalising its plans but will launch a formal Request for Proposals (RFP) through Route Exchange during the first quarter of 2012 for potential network expansion in China, Asia and into the European market from the second quarter of 2013.

“We at Scoot view Route Exchange as the perfect platform to deliver the significant opportunity that this RFP will provide to airports, offering a transparent process to everybody,” said Campbell Wilson, Chief Executive Officer, Scoot.

“We are absolutely delighted that Scoot selected Route Exchange to support their network development and this represents a massive endorsement of our product and our standing within the route development community,” said Paul Winfield, Airline Director, Routes. “Route Exchange is the secure and trusted platform for the world's airlines and airports to trade online and we look forward to releasing more information in the coming months about how this process with Scoot will work.”

Scoot is offering a very different product to the market and is operating as a completely separate entity to its parent SIA and its network will include some new routes and others that are new to no-frills airline operations. “We chose the name ‘Scoot’ for many reasons, not least because it‘s different. Rather than the tried and tired ‘airlines’ this, ‘airways’ that or ‘air’ yawn, it’s short, sharp and snappy. It stands out. It’s geographically independent, and can be a verb or a noun. Besides difference, it conveys spontaneity, movement, informality and a touch of quirkiness - all attributes we intend this Company to be known for,” added Campbell Wilson.

The start-up will launch operations in mid-2012 and will offer a two–class, no frills service on medium- and long-haul routes. Like the traditional budget model, there will be frills and passengers will be able to organise their travel to suit their personal requirements, such as meals, preferred seats, baggage etc, but these will come at an additional cost.

The airline is currently working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore for its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC), and anticipates receiving this during the first quarter of 2012. Engineering retrofit and certification of its aircraft will take place between April and June, and the first commercial flights are targeted for the middle of the year.

If you are attending the IATA Slots Conference and require further information on the confidential RFP process please visit David McMullen, Business Development Director, Routesonline or Paul Winfield, Airline Director, Routes, at Booth 3.