Uneconomical: SIA stops world’s longest flight

SINGAPORE: The world’s longest nonstop commercial flight ended without fanfare on Monday after Singapore Airlines (SIA) flew its last nearly 19-hour service from New York. Flight SQ 21 landed early Monday in Changi Airport, bringing an end to a nine-year run. A direct service to Los Angeles has also been cancelled as part of a fleet renewal. Analysts said the rise in fuel prices since 2004, when the 15,335-kilometre (9,529-mile) service was launched to cater to business travellers, made it economically unsustainable. The cancellation of the service was first announced a year ago. Five Airbus A340-500s used by SIA for the service to New York – through neighbouring Newark – are being swapped for Airbus A380 superjumbos, a larger but more fuel-efficient model that is not designed for such distances.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 26^th, 2013.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.