SINGAPORE: Singapore Airlines' low cost carrier Scoot is interested in flying to Subang Airport as it strengthens its position in the Malaysian market with its Embraer E190-E2 aircraft.
The airline's chief executive officer Leslie Thng said Scoot is waiting for Subang Airport to allow the resumption of jet operations before deciding to fly there.
"Subang Airport is one that we would be interested in but it depends on when the airport is open for jet operations."
"At this moment, it's restricted only to turboprop (aircraft) operations," he said at a media briefing here today.
On March 14, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) had told Business Times that narrowbody aircraft operations would resume as early as June this year at Subang Airport as the airport is being expanded to handle more passengers and jet operations.
The resumption comes 26 years after all jet operations were moved to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in 1998.
Leslie said Malaysia is a market that is importantly for Scoot given its close proximity to Singapore.
He also said Scoot had recently introduced Sibu as its new destination in Malaysia following the arrival of the airline's first Embraer E190-E2 aircraft last month.
"Malaysia has been a market that is important for Scoot because we are close neighbours. We look at Malaysia as a whole market so that is where we decided to deploy the E2," Leslie added.
Scoot will also use the E2 aircraft to fly to Koh Samui, Miri, Kuantan, Hat Yai and Krabi.
The Singaporean based budget carrier has ordered nine new Embraer E190-E2 commercial aircraft under a lease agreement with Florida-based aircraft lessor, Azorra in 2023.
Scoot has received two out of nine aircraft while the third aircraft would be delivered by end-2024 and the balance is expected to be delivered in 2025.