Singapore Airlines Plans to Launch “Flights to Nowhere” to Boost Business Amid Pandemic

To boost business amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Singapore Airlines is reportedly planning to launch “flights to nowhere.”

The Straits Times reported that sources said the airline also “plans to explore a partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board to allow interested passengers to partially pay for such flights with tourism credits that will be given out by the Government.”

“SIA is considering several initiatives that would allow us to continue engaging both our customers and members of the public. We will make an announcement at the appropriate time if we go ahead with these plans,” said a spokesman when asked about plans to launch flights to nowhere.

Each flight to nowhere is expected to take about three hours. The airline might start offering it by late October from Changi Airport.

Flying an aircraft to nowhere raises “undeniable environmental concerns,” an article by The Points Guy explained. However, Changi has already seen a small number of flights in 2020.

“Along with raising some much-needed revenue, the struggling airline may also use these flights to keep pilots [sic] certification current on the aircraft. Asiana recently operated dozens of Airbus A380 flights without passengers or cargo to maintain their pilots’ certification,” the report also said.

Singapore Airlines is not the first to introduce this concept. According to Fox Business, a Taiwanese airport piloted a similar program in July.

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