Singapore Airlines staff don masks, goggles for pandemic flights

Singapore Airlines’ in-flight service is getting a makeover as the carrier raises more funds to keep it flying.

A Singapore Airlines stewardess returns from a flight at Changi International Airport terminal in Singapore on June 8, 2020, as Singapore prepares to reopen its borders after shutting them to curb the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus. Picture: AFP

Singapore Airlines’ in-flight service is getting a major makeover for post-pandemic flights with cabin crew to don masks, gloves and goggles to serve food.

The changes are being rolled out this week by the airline, which is currently operating eight flights a week to Australia, servicing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide

As well as upgraded cabin crew hygiene, passengers will be given a “care kit” on boarding, containing a surgical mask, hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes, and all reading material will be removed in favour of electronic alternatives.

Meal services will disappear from flights within Southeast Asia and to mainland China with those passengers to get a snack bag instead.

Singapore Airlines’ in-flight service is getting a major makeover for post-pandemic flights with cabin crew to don masks, gloves and goggles to serve food.

On other services including those to Australia, cabin crew will don goggles, gloves and masks at meal times, and first and business class passengers will get a single tray service instead of a table layout.

The resumption of a “course-by-course” dining experience was the subject of ongoing discussions with regulators but Singapore Airlines hoped to progressively reintroduce customer favourites including satay and garlic bread.

Digital food ordering services in the lounges and an in-flight e-menu were also planned to be introduced in the coming months.

One of the hardest hit airlines by the global health pandemic due to its sole reliance on international air travel, Singapore Airlines on Tuesday announced it had raised $10.3bn in additional liquidity. Picture: AFP

Singapore Airlines’ chief executive officer Goh Choon Phong said the initiatives would help ensure that amid the COVID-19 outbreak, customers could travel with full confidence.

One of the hardest hit airlines by the global health pandemic due to its sole reliance on international air travel, Singapore Airlines on Tuesday announced it had raised $10.3bn in additional liquidity.

Strong support

The sum included $9bn from a successful rights issue, a further $925m from long-term loans secured against some of its A350-900 and Boeing 787-10 aircraft and new lines of credit and a short term unsecured loan with several banks amounting to more than $514m.

Although the funds were expected to put the airline on “steady footing” to navigate the crisis, the airline planned to continue to explore additional means to shore up liquidity as necessary.

“We are grateful for the strong support of our shareholders for our successful rights issue, which has secured the company’s future amid an unprecedented global health and economic crisis,” said Mr Goh.

“We are also grateful to our relationship banks for their support in extending additional secured and unsecured loans, as well as committed lines of credit. Singapore Airlines will remain steadfast and agile during this period of great uncertainty, and continue to act nimbly in responding to the evolving market conditions.”

Qantas will also rollout changes to its operations from Friday, to help assure passengers of their safety amid the COVID-19 crisis.

These include hand sanitiser stations at check-in areas and gates, the distribution of masks and antibacterial wipes on boarding, limited movement during flights and changes to food and beverage services.