In a multi-year initiative, Singapore Airlines will phase
out its wholly-owned regional brand SilkAir and merge it with the mainline
operation.
The move won't occur until after Singapore invests more than
$100 million to upgrade cabins on the SilkAir fleet with new lie-flat seats in
business class and seat-back entertainment systems throughout the aircraft.
"This will ensure closer product and service
consistency," the company said.
The cabin upgrades won't start until 2020 due to lead times
required by seat suppliers, and the merger won't take place until "a
sufficient" number of aircraft have been retrofitted.
SilkAir operates an all narrowbody fleet of 11 Airbus and 22
Boeing planes, though it is in the process of transforming to an all-Boeing 737
fleet. The regional carrier flies to 49 destinations in 16 countries.