Skip to main content
Hamburger Menu Close
Advertisement

Travel

Scoot’s CEO Leslie Thng on Singaporeans’ fave destinations, budget airline misconceptions and more

How does Scoot decide on its destinations? What are the most popular destinations among Singaporeans? CNA Lifestyle sat down with Scoot’s CEO Leslie Thng for the lowdown.

Scoot’s CEO Leslie Thng on Singaporeans’ fave destinations, budget airline misconceptions and more

Scoot's CEO Leslie Thng (right) and one of the new Embraer E190-E2 planes. (Photos: Scoot, CNA/Try Sutrisno Foo)

New: You can now listen to articles.

This audio is generated by an AI tool.

Scoot recently announced the latest addition to its fleet – nine new Embraer E190-E2 planes – that will operate flights from Singapore to six Southeast Asian destinations starting in May, including two brand new destinations: Thailand’s Koh Samui and Malaysia’s Sibu.

What does this mean for the Singapore low-cost carrier? CNA Lifestyle sat down for an interview with Scoot’s chief executive officer Leslie Thng to find out more about their plans – as well as ask some questions many of us would've probably been itching to ask.

How does Scoot decide on its destinations? Is there any friendly competition between them and Singapore Airlines? What are the most popular destinations among Singaporeans? Read our interview below.

YOU’RE A VETERAN IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY. WHAT’S BEEN YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY?

I have experience with two different business models: Full service, as well as budget airlines; as well as operating in two different countries: One airline based in Singapore and the other one, Vistara, based in India.

What we have been through in the last couple of years, including the pandemic, would have taught anyone to be more nimble, more agile and more resilient. You don’t expect, for example, something like a pandemic to happen. I think that gives a lot of insight in terms of how to be a stronger and more effective leader.

Scoot CEO Leslie Thng. (Photo: CNA/Try Sutrisno Foo)

WHAT TRENDS DO YOU EXPECT FROM TRAVELLERS IN 2024 AND BEYOND?

What we've seen post-COVID is that travellers are travelling more often than pre-COVID. Pre-COVID, some travelled maybe once every six months or once every year. But we have now seen that travellers are coming back more often. At the same time, there are airlines like ours that are now venturing to new, exotic destinations, providing more travel options. And, I think the trend will continue.

SCOOT HAS ANNOUNCED 9 NEW EMBRAER PLANES, WHICH ARE SMALLER – WHY CHOOSE TO EXPAND THE FLEET WITH THESE?

We take a very long perspective in terms of how we want to expand our network. So, after a very comprehensive and detailed evaluation, we found that the (Embraer) E190-E2 was a perfect fit for the organisation because it is totally complimentary to the Airbus A320s and A321s that we have, as well as the Boeing 787s. It does allow Scoot to open new routes where demand is thinner. I think it gives us a lot of opportunity, going forward.

Scoot's new Embraer E190-E2 plane. (Photo: Scoot)

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE NEW PLANES’ SEATING CONFIGURATION?

This E190-E2 that we are bringing into the Scoot fleet is a totally new aircraft, something that we are leasing from the market. It comes with a two-by-two seating (layout) in an all-Economy Class configuration that offers a seating capacity of 112. Two-by-two means that there is no middle seat. So, any customers who fly on the E2 will either be sitting along the aisle or beside the window.

HOW DOES SCOOT DECIDE WHICH DESTINATIONS TO TRAVEL TO? FOR EXAMPLE, THE NEW PLANES WILL BE FLYING TO KOH SAMUI AND SIBU.

I think when we look at the potential of a new route, we look at the current demand that is being served by some of the existing carriers.

We look at market data, what is the demand from Singapore and also, what is the demand going to be outside of Singapore. Because we not only fly within Southeast Asia; Scoot flies to Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and also India.

So, we look at where the potential of the flow of traffic is. And eventually, the team will do a detailed study to make sure that the projected economics of the route make sense. And that is where we then decide on, for example, Koh Samui (in Thailand) and Sibu in Malaysia. The operating team will then try to operationalise the plan in terms of engaging the ground arrangements as well as working with relevant foreign authorities.

Scoot CEO Leslie Thng. (Photo: CNA/Try Sutrisno Foo)

WHAT ARE THE MOST POPULAR DESTINATIONS AMONG SINGAPOREANS AND ASIANS?

There are many! I think during the year-end (season), many Singaporeans like to go to Japan and Korea. I think those are the typical, very popular destinations.

We have a very strong footprint in China as well. We fly to 17 cities in China. So, that gives Singaporeans who want to travel to China a lot of options – not just one city but multiple cities over a couple of years.

Within Southeast Asia, the popular destinations are the “standard” ones – KL, Bangkok, Jakarta, and of course, Bali.

SOME PEOPLE MIGHT THINK THE “LOW COST” IN LOW-COST CARRIERS MEANS CUTTING COSTS – WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?

I think there's definitely a misconception in terms of what is being perceived as a budget airline. For a budget airline, safety is of utmost importance. We train our crew, we train our pilots at the highest standards – the same standards as SIA (Singapore Airlines).

Our aircraft are regularly maintained, and we also take additional steps to make sure they satisfy the requirements of different regulators. What is also important for Scoot is that every aircraft we’ve brought into the fleet is brand new. For example, the E2s that are joining us next month are all brand new.

The concept of “budget” is really about trying to offer the customers a range of products tailored to their needs. If you’re a traveller who only wants to buy a seat, we have a seat product. But, if you intend to purchase excess baggage or buy food and beverages onboard, the airline will offer you those options.

Scoot's new Embraer E190-E2 plane. (Photo: Scoot)

HOW DOES SCOOT POSITION ITSELF IN RELATION TO SINGAPORE AIRLINES? IS THERE ANY UNSPOKEN COMPETITION?

First of all, both SIA and Scoot belong to the SIA Group. I don't think there’s any unspoken (competition) – the two airlines actually collaborate very well.

In terms of deploying a specific aircraft to a specific route, we do have a committee that looks into how the two airlines should expand our footprints. For example, there are routes that only Scoot flies and routes that only SIA flies. But there are many routes that both SIA and Scoot fly – for example (Singapore) to Jakarta, Bangkok, Bali, Guangzhou and Tokyo. In these routes, we feel there is a market for both full-service and budget (service).

Of course, there are markets where only Scoot flies because we feel, from a group perspective, these would be where the majority of travellers are a bit more budget conscious.

But, having said that, within the group, we also try to facilitate sales in terms of cross-selling. So, customers who purchase an SIA ticket can go to their final destination as a Scoot destination.

For example, we just announced Koh Samui, which we are launching in May this year. Someone travelling from Australia or Europe on SIA, who’s flying into Changi in Singapore, can then connect to a Scoot flight going to Koh Samui.

So, that is where the synergy, the cross-selling between the two airlines, will create more opportunities for the group.

Scoot CEO Leslie Thng. (Photo: CNA/Try Sutrisno Foo)

WOULD YOU SAY THINGS IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY AND SCOOT IN PARTICULAR ARE BACK TO PRE-PANDEMIC NORMS?

Scoot was one of the first airlines to be first off the blocks when borders reopened back in 2022, which is why we are now almost back to pre-COVID capacity. And, we have also improved in terms of our passenger load factor, meaning the number of passengers that we carry on board.

Both indicators would suggest that Scoot is already back to pre-COVID (norms).

For us, it is no longer about recovery – it’s actually now on to a phase of new growth with the E2s joining us; with many other new aircraft that will join us in 2025.

WHAT’S ONE THING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT SCOOT?

I think Scoot is not just your typical, normal budget airline. Yes, we are a budget airline that tailors our product to needs. But, again, we invest a lot in terms of technology, in terms of infrastructure, in terms of aircraft, to make sure that we can create a product that provides a unique travel experience for our customers.

And, some of the customers who have travelled with us realise that our Scootees, who are our cabin crew, perform “Scootitude acts” (themed activities) to interact with our customers on board (in lieu of) an in-flight entertainment system, which we do not offer on board.

I think our Scootees are warm, friendly and engage with customers whenever there are opportunities to do so on board.

Source: CNA/mm
Advertisement

RECOMMENDED

Advertisement