AVIATION - SilkAir on firm footing to grow

TTGasia, Dec 15 - 21, 2006 / No.1504

SilkAir, which has just placed an order for at least 20 aircraft, is stronger than before, with a clear positioning and a lean cost base that put it on a firm footing to expand in the next few years, according to CEO, Mr Mike Barclay.This is a far cry from three years ago, when the debut of three low-cost carriers (LCCs) in Singapore threw a spanner in the works, while a fallout in passenger traffic from the Asian tsunami added to the gloom and doom.Instead of dumping the product, SilkAir invested more money in all areas, Mr Barclay said. Cabin interior, catering and staff uniforms were overhauled, customer service training stepped up, and the pro-duct evolved and became more clearly defined, he said.SilkAir also reviewed its cost base and even used good cost-management practices learnt from the LCCs.

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