Latest news with #Scoot
West Australian
an hour ago
- Business
- West Australian
Scooting to Vienna on a budget
There's a new option for travellers looking for an alternative, cheaper way to fly to Europe. Scoot last month launched its first flight between Singapore and Vienna, flying three times a week with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. From Perth, it's a comfortable five hours to Singapore on the 6.25pm flight, landing in Singapore just before midnight with a short three-hour layover. We board the inaugural flight at 3am, landing in Vienna just over 11 hours later (after a special onboard performance of classical music by the T'ang Quartet) at about 9am local time. And while it's a budget airline — there are no screens, you have to pay for wifi and water and pre-order meals — our advice is to book Scoot Plus (the airline's version of premium economy) with its spacious leather seats. Scoot chief operating officer Ng Chee Keong says the route opens up opportunities for travellers from the Asia-Pacific to explore Eastern Europe and vice versa. Flights connect to other cities via short flights or train. 'We hope that this new connection helps to bridge cultures and inspire more customers to explore new destinations and create memorable travel experiences,' he says. Vienna Tourist Board chief executive Norbert Kettner says Vienna is the 'heartland of European history'. It also has a centuries-old musical heritage and was home to composers Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms. And until earlier this year, Vienna held the mantle for the world's most liveable city. 'Vienna is the fifth biggest city in the European community and one of the youngest cities,' Mr Kettner says. 'And, of course, you have the great combination of what we call northern European efficiency and southern European lifestyle.' After arriving in Vienna we check into the impeccable Anantara Palais Hansen Vienna Hotel. From the moment we walk in, the hotel screams luxury. It is also a perfect location for exploring, being on the edge of the Ringstrasse, a grand boulevard built in the mid 1800s that surrounds the city's historic centre and its most famous landmarks. Rebel Tours owner Basti Knobl tells us it replaced the fortress that once surrounded the city and soon became where the rich and noble built their palaces. From the hotel, Basti takes us to the city's ninth district (Vienna is broken up into 23 districts, each with different traits) which is known by locals as 'little Paris'. It also has a rich Jewish history, with this district home to the city's biggest Jewish population before, in 1938, thousands were forced out of their homes by the Nazi regime. The devastating aftermath is still evident today. At points, Basti tells us to look up at the buildings, the architecture makes it obvious where the original buildings were firebombed and destroyed. The next day, we visit the Heidi Horten Collection — a private gallery which houses works from the likes of Pablo Picasso to Andy Warhol. The Wien Museum is next on the agenda, which provides an immersive way to learn about the city's history from its imperial heritage to modern life. And you can't visit Vienna without a taste of its famous Wiener schnitzel. We have ours at Skopik & Lohn in the second district, and it melts in the mouth. Our night rounds off with a visit to Votive Church to see Light of Creation, which is a 30-minute light show accompanied by classical music — a feast for the ears and eyes. The Belvedere Museum is a must. It's home to Gustav Klimt's famous painting The Kiss, painted in the early 1900s and depicting a couple in a golden embrace. The art and history inside the museum is breathtaking, and the grounds are just as beautiful, walking through them makes you feel as though you're in a scene from Bridgerton. The weather in early June was quite warm, and we took public transport or walked everywhere. It is surprisingly easy and stress-free for a visitor to navigate. The public transport system is so efficient most residents opt to pay an annual fee to take the tram, train or subway rather than own a car because it's easier, cheaper — and faster. It is soon time for a spot of shopping, and our personal guide Lucie takes us behind the scenes of the imperial shops that have been the choice for the royals for generations. First stop is R Scheer & Sohne, where seven generations have been making shoes for kings and kaisers since 1860. The shoemakers only make bespoke shoes — your first pair will set you back €10,000 ($17,930). Next, we visit one of the oldest jewellers in Vienna, A.E Kochert. The family has been creating beautiful jewels for more than 200 years, particularly for the royals. We are taken upstairs to view the most exquisite and delicate array of tiaras and jewellery once belonging to regal owners which have found their way back to the Kochert collection. Their most famous design is the Sisi Stars, which were commissioned by Empress Elisabeth. Originally, 27 of the stars were made for Sisi to wear in her hair, but could also be worn as a necklace, broach or in a tiara. The design is so iconic it is still ordered today — some paying up to €400,000 ($717,166) for a piece. At J & L Lobmeyr, we are shown the most exquisite glassware. We also learn it was where the first ever martini glass was designed — along with the first ever electric chandelier. To finish our four days in Vienna, we are treated to a hike through the vineyards, which are found within the city limits. They are accessible via public transport, and wine expert Caroline Derler tells us it's a popular outing for young people and families on a summer's night after work or on the weekend. After a walk taking in the scenic view of the city, we enjoy a spread of cheese with local wine sitting with friends among the vines. Cheers to that. + Shannon Hampton was a guest of Scoot and Austria Tourism. They have not influenced this story, or read it before publication. Scoot economy return flights from Perth to Vienna connect in Singapore. As a guide to prices, economy is from $954 return in August. In September it is from $860 return. In November it is from $883. Scoot Plus in September 2025 is from $1405 return. Economy seats in Scoot's twin-aisle Dreamliner have a seat width of 45cm and a seat pitch of 78cm (that's from one point on the seat to the same point on the seat in front). Scoot Plus seats are 55cm wide and have a pitch of 96cm. Scoot Plus includes 15kg of cabin baggage and 30kg of checked baggage.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SIA earnings down 58.8% y-o-y for 1QFY2026 to $186 mil from lower interest income
Lower cash balances, interest rate cuts and SIA recording a share of losses of associates companies has led to lower earnings for the quarter. Singapore Airlines (SIA) has posted a lower net profit of $186 million for the 1QFY2026 ended June 30, down 58.8% y-o-y from the $452 million reported in the same period a year ago. Earnings per share came in lower at 6.3 cents for 1QFY2026. Meanwhile, group revenue increased marginally to $4.79 billion in the quarter, up 1.5% y-o-y. SIA and Scoot carried a record 10.3 million passengers, up 6.9% y-o-y in 1QFY2026, and the group passenger load factor grew 0.7 percentage points (ppts). Passenger yields slipped 2.9% to 10 cents per revenue passenger-kilometre amid heightened competition as more airlines continue to add capacity. Cargo flown revenue fell by 1.9% for 1QFY2026 as yields deteriorated 4.4%, and cargo load factor (CLF) declined by 0.8 ppts to 56.9% as cargo load growth of 2.8% lagged capacity expansion of 4.2%. In the 1QFY2026, group expenditure rose 3.2% y-o-y to $4.39 billion in the quarter mainly due to higher non-fuel expenditure, which was driven by the 3.7% rise in overall capacity and inflationary pressures on key cost elements. As such, SIA's operating profit was $405 million for the quarter, 13.8% y-o-y lower. The decline in net profit for the reporting period is largely attributable to a lower interest income, about $61 million less, on the back of lower cash balances and interest rate cuts, and the group recording a share of losses of associated companies compared to a share of profits for the same quarter last year. This is notably from Air India's financial results which were not part of SIA's results for the same quarter last year. The group started equity accounting for Air India's financial performance from December 2024 following the full integration of Vistara into Air India. As at June 30, the group's shareholder equity stood at $15.8 billion, $10.1 billion higher than the previous quarter. Total debt balances fell to $11.5 billion with debt to equity ratio reducing to 0.73. During the quarter, $235 million of the convertible bonds issued in December 2020 were converted at the conversion price of $4.8945 into 48 million ordinary shares. As at June 30, $615 million of the convertible bonds remain outstanding. Cash and bank balances declined to $7.8 billion due to repayment of borrowings and capital expenditure disbursements, as at end June. As at June 30, the group's operating fleet had 204 passenger and freighter aircraft with an average age of seven years and nine months. SIA operated 144 passenger aircraft and seven freighters, while Scoot operated 53 passenger aircraft. During the quarter, Scoot added one Airbus A321neo, one Boeing 787-8, and one Embraer E190-E2 aircraft to its fleet. The group has 72 aircraft on order at the end of this quarter. With the closure of Jetstar Asia on July 31, SIA says that it will ramp up capacity to various Asian destinations in Malaysia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. This includes Scoot commencing operations to Labuan Bajo and Medan (Indonesia), as well as Okinawa (Japan), subject to regulatory and operational approvals. On outlook, SIA group says that the global airline industry continues to face a volatile operating environment, with challenges ranging from geopolitical developments and macroeconomic fluctuations to changing market dynamics and supply chain constraints. 'The group will remain vigilant in this dynamic operating environment, while identifying and capitalising on emerging areas of growth,' it says. Shares in SIA Group closed 3 cents higher or 0.396% up at $7.60 on July 28. 27 cents for 1QFY2025/2026 SIA's chairman Peter Seah redesignated as non-independent director after AGM SIA Engineering reports 29.2% y-o-y higher net profit of $42.9 mil for 1QFY2026 Read more stories about where the money flows, and analysis of the biggest market stories from Singapore and around the World Get in-depth insights from our expert contributors, and dive into financial and economic trends Follow the market issue situation with our daily updates Or want more Lifestyle and Passion stories? Click hereSign in to access your portfolio
News.com.au
23-07-2025
- News.com.au
Aussie spots wild sign in popular European country
There's a running joke that an airport in one European country has a desk for people who have accidentally flown there instead of hopping on a flight to Australia. And, Austria plays into the bit well. Two years ago, an advertisement from an intercom system company played up the joke with a sign at Salzburg Airport. At gift shops, there are mugs and T-shirts with Australian kangaroo signs on them warning that you won't be able to find the national animal in the streets of Vienna. There's even an Australian pub in the country's capital city. But, while the country makes a joke out of it, there is a lot that the world would be missing out on if it bypassed Austria. I was lucky enough to visit Austria as part of Scoot's inaugural flight from Singapore to Vienna, and here is my list of must visits. Dürnstein If you're ever lucky enough to float along the Danube — a river that originates in Germany, before spanning through Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia and Romania — then a stop in Dürnstein is a must. The tiny town that takes a whopping 20 minutes to walk around is a little haven in what is essentially wine country. It used to be a strategic fortress along the river. Now, it's a perfect spot for relaxation as a break from trawling along the river. There are two absolute standouts in the town — Stift Dürnstein and Hotel Schloss Dürnstein. Stift Dürnstein is an Abbey, and if coming from the river you are greeted with it looming over you with its beautiful blue clock tower. The chapel was first built in 1372, and over the years was brought into the monastery and officially became a parish in 1745. Eventually, the monastery was dissolved but the parish remains. It still holds weekly church services, and the entire building is in the baroque style. It is absolutely stunning, and worth a tour. It's also a lovely spot for some pictures over the river. It's essentially a time capsule and is a great way to learn a bit of the history of the town you're staying in. But, if you're looking for a more chill hideaway in the countryside, then you simply cannot go past the five-star Hotel Schloss Dürnstein. Formerly a castle, before it was purchased by the current owners, the hotel boasts room views over the river, two pools, a wine cellar that the family themselves created, and truly incredible food with the menu constantly updated by the season. While I was there, it was all about apricots and everything I tasted was sensational. As a guest of the hotel, we were treated to a private wine tasting. As someone who has done wine tastings in France, Italy and Australia, I have to say — Austrian wine may possibly be my new favourite. But the majority of Austrian wine doesn't make it out of the country (because clearly, they know they have the good stuff) so you have to venture to the European country to try it. Besides that, the town is just a beautiful little time capsule. The sweet shops are to die for, and if I'd stayed a little longer I would have stocked up on some fresh deli meats for a picnic by the river. Salzburg If you're a Sound Of Music fan, then Salzburg is a no-brainer stop for you. It's where the hit Julie Andrews movie was filmed and it's the 60th anniversary this year, so the city is pulling out all the stops in celebration of this. There are walking tours where you can visit filming locations, and even a bus tour that allows you to immerse yourself further. I am told on the bus tour, they even sing the songs. But, fair warning, a lot of locals aren't huge fans of the film as it is a Hollywood version of something many still remember witnessing. So, what are the highlights of the city? The food, obviously. Café Tomaselli was Mozart's favourite coffee house in Salzburg — although rumour has it he loved to complain about the quality of the coffee. As a coeliac, I couldn't indulge in the cakes (although they looked fabulous) so I treated myself to a spiked coffee and ice cream floating in prosecco. The building is simply gorgeous and it's a great place to sit and watch the world go by. Another highlight is Hotel Sacher, known for its Sacher cake. The cake is a chocolate sponge, coated in a chocolate glaze with apricot jam in the middle. If you want to combine music and food, another highlight for me personally was Edelweiss Cooking School. During the class, you learn how to make apple strudel and a pretzel before everyone sits down to enjoy a bowl of goulash and the baked goods — all while an opera singer performs. They even accommodated my dietaries with a gluten-free goulash and dessert, and it was all amazing. I am also a sucker for a walking tour, so I highly recommend it. It's a brilliant way to learn the layout of the city and learn about its history. On my walking tour, we got to see some of the beautiful universities, Mozart's birth place and the fabulous Mirabell Palace and Gardens. However, my favourite thing I saw in all of Austria was Schloss Hellbrunn — a palace built by Prince Archbishop of Salzburg Markus Sittikus in 1619. Sittikus suffered from melancholy, and built a frankly insane garden as part of the castle. It featured a table area where water would shoot from the chairs, and disturbing statues inspired by mythology. It also has the infamous gazebo from The Sound Of Music. Vienna Sadly, I didn't get to spend as much time in Vienna as I'd like. The city is filled with art galleries and museums that I would genuinely fly back for just to experience. But, from what I did see, I was hooked. If you want to get a bird's eye view of the city, drink cocktails and enjoy a delicious meal while you do, then 360° Ocean Sky is the place for you. The restaurant is built atop one of six former anti-aircraft gun towers left over in the city. It is one of the few reminders of World War II left in Austria and serves as a stark reminder of one of the darkest times in European history. Again, I highly recommend a walking tour of Vienna, and a stop at Schönbrunn Palace. The palace itself is beautiful — and potentially the home to one of the best carrot soups I've ever had. Overall, it was an opera performance that really won my heart. The visit exposed me to things I'd never experienced before, and that's the whole point of a holiday, isn't it?
The Star
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Runway widens for SIA as Jetstar Asia exits amid aviation turbulence
SINGAPORE: Escalating tensions between Israel and Iran and the tragic crash of Air India Flight AI171 have roiled the global aviation industry and clouded the operational outlook for many airlines, including major carriers like Singapore Airlines (SIA). Yet there could be a silver lining for the national airline amid the turbulence, following the closure of Singapore-based budget carrier Jetstar Asia. On June 12, an Air India plane bound for London crashed outside the perimeter of India's Ahmedabad airport, resulting in at least 271 casualties. The crash could have an impact on SIA, as it holds a 25.1 per cent stake in Air India, following the carrier's merger with Vistara, another Indian airline, in November 2024. Before the merger, Vistara was jointly owned by Tata Sons and SIA. A day later, on June 13, geopolitical tensions rose sharply when Israel launched air strikes on Iran, with Iran subsequently retaliating. The attacks, which continued over the weekend, sent oil prices surging as much as 7 per cent on June 13 before partially retreating. Volatile oil prices could have a direct impact on airlines, including SIA, as jet fuel, derived from oil, is its largest operating expense. US airline shares fell, hit by worries of a broad and protracted Middle East conflict. Shares of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines all finished lower on June 13 before recovering on June 16. SIA shares fell around 1.3 per cent on June 13 to $6.94. They closed lower at $6.88 on June 17. Despite the uncertain outlook, there are unique growth opportunities for SIA, following Jetstar Asia's June 11 announcement that it will close on July 31. SIA will reportedly ramp up flights to key Asian destinations after Jetstar Asia ceases operations. Scoot, SIA's low-cost subsidiary, plans to launch new flights to Okinawa, Japan, and Labuan Bajo, Indonesia. This bodes well for SIA, as Scoot is now well positioned to capture market share following Jetstar Asia's exit, said Morningstar director Lorraine Tan. Maybank analyst Eric Ong said: 'The exit of Jetstar Asia may bring some reprieve in the competitive low-cost carrier market in terms of load factor and yield.' With one less airline operating, there will be fewer available seats, which may lead to higher load factors for SIA and Scoot as more passengers fly on existing flights. In addition, the reduced competition could allow the airlines to stabilise or even increase ticket prices, leading to improved yields and profitability. Jetstar Asia operated around 180 weekly flights from Changi Airport and carried 2.3 million passengers in 2024. Its exit creates a significant gap in the market – one that competitors like Scoot are well placed to fill. For the year ended March 31, SIA and Scoot carried a record 39.4 million passengers. Morningstar's Tan noted that while the exit of Jetstar Asia will have a more material impact on SIA than the crash of the Air India flight and Israel-Iran conflict, oil prices may stay elevated while fighting continues. 'Increased market share and reduced competition could be offset by higher fuel costs and increased associate losses (in 2025),' she said. DBS Bank analyst Jason Sum noted that SIA remains 'relatively insulated' from the rise in Brent crude and jet fuel prices, having hedged around 40 per cent of its near-term fuel requirements. SIA uses a fuel-hedging policy to manage the volatility of oil prices. The higher fuel cost could also be partially mitigated by a weaker US dollar, added OCBC Bank's head of investment research Carmen Lee. In any case, analysts from energy research company Rystad Energy noted that oil prices might already be stabilising, rather than escalating further. For now, the conflict appears likely to be contained, the analysts said, projecting that oil prices will be capped at below US$80 a barrel. The price of Brent crude moderated to hover between US$73 and US$74 a barrel on June 16, after hitting US$78 on June 13. But airlines' growth can also be hit by souring consumer sentiment, if people cut back on their travel plans because of rising tensions in the Middle East, OCBC's Lee said. DBS' Sum also noted that the Air India incident could weigh on consumer perception and potentially slow the airline's transformation. 'This could result in a moderately larger share of losses for SIA, although we do not expect a material impact on SIA's bottom line at this stage,' he said. - The Straits Times/ANN
Sydney Morning Herald
18-07-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
My long-distance romance is stuck in a budget airline nightmare
Oh, Vienna Snapping up a cheap deal to Europe on the low-cost airline Scoot to finally meet the woman I fell in love with after a chance encounter on a Facebook group last year seemed too good to be true (as did the love affair, to be honest). The love story blossomed like the wildflowers that grew around her apartment block in Finnish Lapland and the weeks went by like a dream, until it all ended in a nightmare at Vienna Airport in Austria. We'd paid through the nose to get seats together on the same flight back to Melbourne (she suffers anxiety when travelling alone), only to be met by incompetence and negligence at the check-in counter. A passport number wrongly entered led to her being denied boarding and being stranded in Vienna with no support offered. Scoot has yet to respond to our pleas for them to honour their obligations under EU regulations. We're now stuck in limbo, unable to buy another flight while waiting for resolution and our joyful reunion. Some low-cost airlines are a price too high to pay. Sam Quinlan, Preston, Vic Letter of the week: High times Ten years ago, we, too, thoroughly enjoyed touring in Switzerland, with one accidental bonus (Traveller, July 5). We arrived at Zermatt station just before a train was due to leave on the Gornergrat Railway. We rapidly decided that this was for us, so we bought tickets and got on. This was a serendipitous choice. The year 2015 was the 150th anniversary of the first ascent of the Matterhorn (which on a clear day can be seen from the railway) and, by chance, we encountered a group commemorating the efforts of the original mountaineers who had set out on July 14, 1865. Ours was a group of locals including the band of the mountain guides, all in period costume and travelling to Gornergrat for a short concert, lunch and photo shoot. The Matterhorn is 4478 metres above sea level with Gornergrat at 3089 metres, just across a glaciated valley, so the view is magnificent. So, not only did we have this view, but also, quite inadvertently, we had our lunch with the local Swiss mountain guides. Simon Allen, Cooma, NSW Bring them home
