Geneva Chamber of Commerce and Geneva Airport officials are engaged in talks with Singaporean counterparts, including Singapore Airlines, to explore the feasibility of establishing direct flights between Geneva Airport (GVA) and Singapore Changi Airport (SIN). Sources from Simple Flying indicate that Singapore Airlines is enthusiastic about this route, which holds significant potential for both business and leisure travelers.
The main obstacle currently hindering the realization of this direct connection is the shortage of Airbus A350 aircraft. Despite the challenge, the desire to connect Geneva and Singapore is gaining momentum, with a recent Swiss delegation from Geneva traveling to Singapore to advocate for the establishment of direct flights.
This route is particularly attractive for high-yielding business travelers, as evidenced by the significant travel demand between the two cities. Data from the previous year revealed approximately 37,000 round-trip passengers, making Singapore Geneva’s fourth-largest unserved long-haul market. The robust business relations in sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and watchmaking further solidify the potential success of this route.
Furthermore, Geneva has recently surpassed Vancouver to become Singapore’s largest unserved market outside of Asia. This highlights the substantial market opportunity that exists for direct flights.
Singapore Airlines operates Airbus A350 aircraft, known for their high-density premium seating configurations, making them ideal for the Geneva-Singapore route. The airline currently has 57 A350-900s in service, and the typical configuration includes three classes: business, premium economy, and economy. Given the premium demand for this route, aircraft with the three-class layout are likely to be utilized.
The potential for high-yielding traffic and Geneva’s growing prominence as a business hub present a compelling opportunity for Singapore Airlines. The collaboration between Geneva and Singapore appears promising, potentially leading to a mutually beneficial direct flight route that caters to the needs of premium business travelers.
