Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines Fleet: April 2021

The first Singapore Airlines Boeing 737 MAX cabin refit has been completed and more Boeing 777-300ERs are flying, with First Class on offer.

With more Boeing 737-800s joining the fleet, Singapore Airlines was actively flying 86 passenger aircraft in April 2021, a record since the COVID-19 pandemic slashed the operating fleet into the 50s last year.

The 737s are certainly making their mark fast, flying to and from nine regional destinations next month (up from four in March), plus there’s a more advanced version being prepared for service.

The troubled Boeing 737 MAX 8, now cleared to fly in many countries but still awaiting approval here in Singapore, will eventually replace the older 737-800s and the first one to receive the SIA colour scheme and new cabin products has now been rolled out of the hangar.

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Meanwhile the wide-body fleet renewal process continued this month, with another Airbus A330 leaving the airline and three brand new Airbus A350 Regionals arriving almost ‘in formation’, to make SIA the world’s largest operator of the type.

Fleet totals

Here are the Singapore Airlines passenger fleet totals at 30th April 2021.

  CAAS Database: 141  
  Recently deregistered:
For disposal:
-1
-23
 
  In Service: 117  
  In maintenance / stored:
-31
 
  Active: 86  

The official registered aircraft data in combination with recent retirement announcements and analysis of actual flight movements over the last few weeks allows us to determine the actual ‘in service’ fleet (available to the airline) of 117 planes at 30th April 2021, 86 of which were recently active.

  Click here to see the official CAAS list of registered aircraft in Singapore at 31st March 2021.

SIA Passenger Fleet at 30th April 2021

This table shows the Singapore Airlines fleet including how many of each aircraft type are legally registered (‘Registered’), available to the airline (‘In Service’) and currently operating revenue passenger or cargo flights (‘Active’).

Type
Registered In Service Active
A330-300
!A330v3.png
3
0 0
A350-900
!A359.png
26 26 26
A350-900 Regional
!A359.png
22
22 19
A350-900 ULR
!A359.png
7 7 7
A380-800 v1
!A388.png
6 0 0
A380-800 v2
!A388.png
4 3 0
A380-800 v3
!A388.png
9 9 0
737-800
8 8 8
777-200
!B772.png
8 0 0
777-200ER
!B772.png
3 0 0
777-300
!B773.png
2 0 0
777-300ER
!B773.png
27 27 11
787-10
!B78X.png
15 15 15
Total 140 117 86

Following confirmation that all the airline’s remaining Airbus A330s, Boeing 777-200s, Boeing 777-200ERs and Boeing 777-300s will not be returning to the fleet after COVID-19, in addition to seven older Airbus A380s, we have removed these from the ‘In Service’ column.

This reflects a future fleet of 117 aircraft, plus future near-term deliveries of Airbus A350s and Boeing 787-10s.

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There will also be an unknown number of Boeing 737 MAX 8s joining the fleet in 2021, as the SilkAir merger enters its final stage, while one more Boeing 737-800 will be temporarily added.

Fleet activity

Four aircraft types are currently in service with the airline, as shown in the table below outlining the number in use at each of our monthly fleet update ‘snapshots’, from April 2020 to date.

SIA fleet activity timeline (2020)
  A350
B773
B77W
B787
Total
LH
R
ULR
Apr 16 10 4 18 15 63
May 14 9 3 18 15 59
Jun 21 12 2 11 15 61
Aug 23 14 1 4 14 56
Sep 24 13 1 7 12 57
Oct 24 13 1 4 12 54
Nov 25 17 10 14 66
Dec 26 18 3 9 14 70
SIA fleet activity timeline (2021)
  A350
B738
B77W
B787
Total
LH
R
ULR
Jan
26 18 6 9 15 74
Feb
25 17 6 9 15 72
Mar
26 17 7 4 11 15 80
Apr
26 19 7 8 11 15 86

Almost all Airbus A350s and Boeing 787-10s remain in consistent use, alongside the eight recent Boeing 737-800 deliveries, while the deployment of Boeing 777-300ERs has risen to 40% of that fleet.

Overall the airline was actively using a total of 86 aircraft in April 2021, its highest total since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Here’s a graphical look at the active vs. stored fleet.

Type Active / Inactive  
A330-300 □□□ 0%
A350 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 100%
A350 R ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■□□□ 86%
A350 ULR ■■■■■■■ 100%
A380 □□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ 0%
737-800 ■■■■■■■■ 100%
777-200 □□□□□□□□ 0%
777-200ER □□□ 0%
777-300 □□ 0%
777-300ER ■■■■■■■■■■■□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□ 41%
787-10 ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ 100%

 

Here’s a look at how busy each aircraft fleet has been, based on active aircraft over the seven-day period from 21st April to 27th April 2021.

Type Total flights per week Average per active aircraft
Flights per week Daily utilisation
A350 204 8 11.8h
A350 R 200 11 9.2h
A350 ULR 24 3 8.4h
737-800 46 6 1.8h
777-300ER 66 7 2.3h
787-10 210 15 11.5h

Long-haul Airbus A350s are the current ‘workhorses’ in terms of daily flying hours per aircraft, though the Boeing 787s aren’t far off, and operate the highest number of flights per week.



 


 

Three A350 deliveries in one day

Earlier this month Singapore Airlines took delivery of three brand new Airbus A350 Regional aircraft on the same day, with each jet touching down at Changi within a four-hour window on Saturday 3rd April 2021 as follows:

  • 9V-SHT: 8.25am
  • 9V-SHU: 10.20am
  • 9V-SHV: 12.07pm

This handed SIA the accolade of “world’s largest Airbus A350 operator”, with 55 such aircraft in its fleet – two more than the previous title holder Qatar Airways.

Two of the three new A350s (9V-SHT and -SHU) have now entered revenue service, with only 9V-SHV to join them.

The first Boeing 737 MAX refit has been completed

Last month Singapore Airlines confirmed that its Boeing 737 MAX 8 cabin refit programme had commenced, starting with its first aircraft returned from Alice Springs (9V-MBA).

Aside from a repaint from SilkAir colours, this also involves:

  • Installation of flat-bed Thompson Vantage Business Class seats
  • Installation of new Economy Class seats with seat-back entertainment systems
  • The addition of Wi-Fi connectivity

The first aircraft has now had its refit work completed and was pictured at Changi this week sporting its new colours, with the tell-tale Wi-Fi antenna on the roof.

SIA’s first Boeing 737 MAX 8 at Changi Airport on 29 April 2021. (Photo: Plane’s Portrait Aviation Media / Malcolm Lu)

The MAXs are expected to eventually replace SIA’s Boeing 737-800s, for a consistent product and service offering across the narrow-body and wide-body fleets, however the type is still awaiting approval to fly again in Singapore from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS).

SIA Boeing 737 MAX 8 Fleet

Registration Age
(years)
Current
Livery
Current
Location
9V-MBA 3.6 SIN
9V-MBB 3.5 ASP
9V-MBC 3.4 SIN
9V-MBD 3.1 ASP
9V-MBE 3.0 ASP
9V-MBF 2.2 SIN

No timescale for a reintroduction of the aircraft type in Singapore has yet been announced, but hopefully once that does happen we can look forward to a formal reveal of the new cabin products.

More Boeing 737-800s are in SIA service

At last month’s update there were four Boeing 737-800s in Singapore Airlines operation, though late March and April have seen a doubling of the registered and active fleet to eight aircraft, with the following four newly entering service:

  • 9V-MGK (to PNH on 30 Mar)
  • 9V-MGN (to PNH on 15 Apr)
  • 9V-MGC (to KUL on 16 Apr)
  • 9V-MGL (to KUL on 24 Apr)

This leaves only 9V-MGM to join SIA as the ninth aircraft, which will then complete the transfer. It flew an air test in SIA colours on 29th April and so will likely enter revenue service in May.

With the fleet steadily increasing, so has the route network for the Boeing 737-800s. As of May 2021 it will cover nine cities (up from four in March), as shown below, including the short-notice transfer of Medan from SilkAir earlier this month.

Singapore Airlines Boeing 737-800 Route Network as of May 2021 (click to enlarge)

Recently confirmed future additions include Darwin, Cairns and Da Nang, though the start date for many of these routes is based on the ‘regular’ July 2021 schedule – realistically many will actually slip further into 2021.

9V-MGA operating the inaugural flight to Phuket on 4th March. (Photo: Plane’s Portrait Aviation Media / Malcolm Lu)

Ultimately nine Boeing 737-800 aircraft will be joining Singapore Airlines from SilkAir, with the others set for disposal as the regional wing is gradually wound up in the months ahead.

SilkAir Boeing 737-800 aircraft moving to SIA

Registration Age
(years)
Current
Livery
Status
9V-MGA 7.1 Transferred to SIA
9V-MGB 7.0 Transferred to SIA
9V-MGC 6.9 Transferred to SIA
9V-MGD 6.8 Transferred to SIA
9V-MGE 6.6 Transferred to SIA
9V-MGF 6.5 For sale
9V-MGG 6.4 For sale
9V-MGH 6.4 For sale
9V-MGI 6.1 For sale
9V-MGJ 5.9 For sale
9V-MGK 5.8 Transferred to SIA
9V-MGL 5.6 Transferred to SIA
9V-MGM 5.5 Due in SIA
9V-MGN 5.5 Transferred to SIA
9V-MGO 4.9 For disposal
9V-MGP 4.8 For sale
9V-MGQ 4.4 For sale

The SIA Group has put seven of the eight aircraft set for disposal on the market recently through UK-based agent Skytech-AIC, as listed in the table above (only 9V-MGO is not included in the sale).

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The aircraft are listed as available from July 2021, suggesting the SilkAir merger is set to be completed in the next couple of months.

Airbus A330s

As expected, following a test flight in all-white livery last month, 9V-SSF was deregistered in April and is now registered OE-ITB after return to lessor. The aircraft was flown from Changi to Anchorage on 29th April.

The remaining three Airbus A330s in the registered fleet have ceased service for over a year, and are for return to their respective leasing companies, a process that should finish in Q3 2021 with 9V-SSI.

!A330v3 Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SSG SIN 23 Mar 20 402
9V-SSH SIN 28 Mar 20 397
9V-SSI SIN 25 Nov 19 521

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

9V-SSI has yet to make a test flight appearance after sustaining tail damage during a landing incident at Yangon in November 2019. The aircraft was ferried empty to Singapore over 16 months ago in mid-December 2019, but has not flown since.

Airbus A350s

The Airbus A350-900 long-haul fleet remained at full strength in April 2021, with an operating total of 26 aircraft.

!A359 Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SMA SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMB SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMC SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMD SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SME SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SMF SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SMG SIN 27 Apr 21 2
9V-SMH SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SMI SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMJ SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMK SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SML SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMM SIN 23 Apr 21 6
9V-SMN SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMO SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMP SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMQ SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SMR SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMS SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SMT SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMU SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SMV SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMW SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SMY SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SMZ SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SJA SIN 29 Apr 21 0

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

There are currently two Airbus A350-900 Regional aircraft in storage or maintenance (9V-SHF and 9V-SHI), meaning 19 of this variant were flying recently, with new aircraft 9V-SHT and 9V-SHU joining the active fleet this month.

!A359R Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SHA SIN 26 Apr 21 3
9V-SHB SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHC SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SHD SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHE SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHF SIN 24 Jul 20 279
9V-SHG SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SHH SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHI SIN 7 Apr 21 22
9V-SHJ SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SHK SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHL SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHM SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHN SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHO SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHP SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHQ SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHR SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHS SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SHT SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHU SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SHV SIN Yet to enter service

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

Although 9V-SHF has been ‘missing’ from the active fleet and in storage for over nine months, the aircraft took a test flight today (30th April 2021), so it seems like it may be set to rejoin the active fleet soon.

All of the airline’s Airbus A350-900 ULR aircraft are in service, covering daily San Francisco and New York JFK services.

!A359 ULR Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SGA SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SGB SIN 26 Apr 21 3
9V-SGC SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SGD SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SGE SIN 27 Apr 21 2
9V-SGF SIN 26 Apr 21 3
9V-SGG SIN 29 Apr 21 0

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

Airbus A380s

Seven of the airline’s Airbus A380 aircraft are currently in long-term storage at Alice Springs, with the other 12 aircraft stored at Changi.

No revenue flights with the A380s have been flown since March 2020, and they are not being used in the current schedule through 30th June 2021.

!A388 Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SKF SIN 24 Mar 20 401
9V-SKG SIN 25 Mar 20 400
9V-SKH SIN 22 Mar 20 403
9V-SKI SIN 20 Mar 20 405
9V-SKJ SIN 20 Mar 20 405
9V-SKK ASP 21 Mar 20 404
9V-SKL ASP 27 Mar 20 398
9V-SKM SIN 21 Mar 20 404
9V-SKN SIN 15 Oct 19 562
9V-SKP ASP 24 Mar 20 401
9V-SKQ SIN 26 Mar 20 399
9V-SKR SIN 19 Mar 20 406
9V-SKS SIN 12 Mar 20 413
9V-SKT ASP 18 Mar 20 407
9V-SKU SIN 25 Mar 20 400
9V-SKV SIN 28 Mar 20 397
9V-SKW ASP 26 Mar 20 399
9V-SKY ASP 27 Mar 20 398
9V-SKZ ASP 30 Mar 20 395

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

There looks to be no imminent return for the superjumbo fleet, though SIA has confirmed 12 of the aircraft will be remaining under current plans for the post-COVID recovery, all to be fitted with new cabin products.

Boeing 737-800s

All eight of the initial nine Boeing 737-800s moving across from SilkAir to Singapore Airlines are currently in service.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is B738-Label-Small.jpg
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-MGA SIN 27 Apr 21 2
9V-MGB SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-MGC SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-MGD SIN 21 Apr 21 8
9V-MGE SIN 27 Apr 21 2
9V-MGK SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-MGL SIN 26 Apr 21 3
9V-MGN SIN 29 Apr 21 0

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

Boeing 777-200 / -200ER / -300s

In 2020 SIA inherited back a set of seven Boeing 777-200s it was leasing to the now-defunct NokScoot. These aircraft were all initially stored in Alice Springs, with one additional aircraft hibernating at Changi for a couple of years now.

!B772 Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SQJ SIN 2 Aug 18 1001
9V-SRF ASP 30 Nov 19 516
9V-SRG ASP 1 Feb 20 453
9V-SRH ASP 23 Mar 20 402
9V-SRJ ASP 7 Jun 20 326
9V-SRL ASP 24 Mar 20 401
9V-SRP SIN 24 Mar 20 401
9V-SRQ SIN 15 Jun 20 318

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

Both 9V-SRP and 9V-SRQ were returned from Alice Springs to Singapore in early April, presumably in preparation for disposal / sale.

Last flight and number of days shown reflects most recent passenger service with NokScoot in the case of SRF to SRQ.

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Meanwhile all 3 of the airline’s Boeing 777-200ERs are stored in Alice Springs, and are confirmed as for disposal.

!B772ER Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SVB ASP 17 Mar 20 408
9V-SVC ASP 19 Mar 20 406
9V-SVE ASP 21 Mar 20 404

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

There are still two retired Boeing 777-300 (non-ER) aircraft in the fleet, also for disposal.

!B773 Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SYF SIN 10 Apr 20 384
9V-SYH SIN 5 May 20 359

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

Boeing 777-300ERs

11 of SIA’s 27 Boeing 777-300ERs were active over the last two weeks, with the other 16 stored at Changi.

!B773ER Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SWA SIN 29 Mar 20 396
9V-SWB SIN 24 Mar 20 401
9V-SWD SIN 19 Mar 20 406
9V-SWE SIN 1 Feb 21 87
9V-SWF SIN 28 Sep 20 213
9V-SWG SIN 30 May 20 334
9V-SWH SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SWI SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SWJ SIN 4 May 20 360
9V-SWK SIN 19 Apr 21 10
9V-SWL ASP 13 Mar 21 47
9V-SWM SIN 13 Feb 21 75
9V-SWN SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SWO SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SWP SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SWQ SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SWR SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SWS SIN 28 Apr 21 1
9V-SWT SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SWU SIN 12 Apr 21 17
9V-SWV SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SWW SIN 13 Jun 20 320
9V-SWY SIN 5 Dec 20 145
9V-SWZ SIN 27 Jun 20 306
9V-SNA SIN 23 Jun 20 310
9V-SNB SIN 16 Mar 20 409
9V-SNC SIN 14 Jun 20 319

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

One of these aircraft is stored at Alice Springs.

The Boeing 777-300ER fleet has been predominantly operating cargo-only flights for the last year or so, though these aircraft are now increasingly being used for passenger services too.

Routes include London, Sydney, Jakarta and Hong Kong, including a First Class cabin from June 2021. This may be of particular interest to our readers using the Singapore – Hong Kong Air Travel Bubble in June, since the designated flights will be operated by the Boeing 777-300ER that month.

Boeing 787-10s

All of SIA’s 15 Boeing 787-10s are currently active, flying a mixture of passenger and cargo-only flights.

!B78X Label
Aircraft Location Last flew Days ago
9V-SCA SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCB SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCC SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCD SIN 22 Apr 21 7
9V-SCE SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCF SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCG SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCH SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCI SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCJ SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCK SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCL SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCM SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCN SIN 29 Apr 21 0
9V-SCO SIN 29 Apr 21 0

‘Last flew’ dates relate to the aircraft’s last revenue passenger or cargo-only flight.

Alice Springs storage

25 Singapore Airlines Group aircraft remain in long-term storage at Alice Springs airport in Australia as of 30th April 2021, where the hot, dry climate is far more conducive to preservation.

SIA Group aircraft
stored in Alice Springs
Airline Aircraft Total
Singapore_Airlines Airbus A380 7
Boeing 777-200 5
Boeing 777-200ER 3
Boeing 777-300ER 1
SilkAir Boeing 737 MAX 8 3
Scoot Airbus A320 3
Boeing 787-8 3

With the remaining three SilkAir Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft due to leave the Alice Springs storage facility in the coming months, it will be interesting to see if the SIA Group retains its parking spots at the airport, which could perhaps mean more mainline aircraft like Airbus A380s or Boeing 777s heading south for better defence against the elements.

Future aircraft deliveries

The latest SIA Group orders for fleet modernisation and replacement is as follows.

(click to enlarge)

Additionally, Scoot has committed to taking 10 Airbus A321neo aircraft through leasing companies over the coming months, for a total of 16 such aircraft including its six firm orders.

Confirmed upcoming Airbus A350 deliveries for SIA include 9V-SJB, a long-haul variant that has already started engine runs and taxi checks in Toulouse, but hasn’t had a test flight yet.

It will be the 27th A350 Long Haul variant in the SIA fleet.

The next SIA Airbus A350 delivery looks set to be a Long Haul variant, the first for the carrier since November 2019. (Photo: Airbus)

Boeing 787 deliveries seem to be on hold for the time being.

Summary

A significant ramp-up in destinations for SIA’s newly acquired narrow-body Boeing 737-800s this month, with nine destinations for the type in May 2021. Although the number of flights for this fleet remains low, we can expect to see more similar operations on single-aisle jets as the airline begins to induct Boeing 737 MAX 8s into its fleet over the coming years.

On that front the recent completion of the first refit to a Singapore Airlines MAX, which will sport new Thompson flat-bed Business Class seats, seat-back IFE in Economy and Wi-Fi connectivity, is a good sign that we can expect to see an approval for the airline to operate the aircraft in the coming months.

These latest-generation jets will eventually replace the 737-800s, for a more consistent fleet-wide experience.

Recliner Business Class seats on Boeing 737-800s will only be a temporary feature in the SIA fleet. (Photo: Singapore Airlines)

Meanwhile in April we bid farewell to another Airbus A330, a process set to be completed later this year when the last three examples leave, and a trio of brand new Airbus A350s arrived, sealing SIA’s (probably temporary) position as the world’s largest operator of the type.

Stay tuned for the next fleet update in May 2021.

(Cover Photo: Plane’s Portrait Aviation Media / Malcolm Lu)

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