Credit: Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines (SIA) posted a strong third quarter in FY2025/26, with record revenue and a solid operating profit, even as net profit fell year over year.
The group recorded revenue of $5.51 billion for the quarter, up 5.5% from the same period last year, driven by healthy passenger demand and slightly higher yields. SIA and Scoot together carried 10.9 million passengers, a 6.3% increase year-on-year.
The group’s passenger load factor rose to 87.5%, supported by a 2.8% capacity expansion. “Revenue growth and disciplined cost management contributed to an operating profit of $792 million, a 25.9% increase over last year,” the company said.
Cargo revenue declined 5.4% to $581 million, as yields fell and load factors dropped slightly. Overall group expenditure rose 2.7% to $4.71 billion, mainly from higher non-fuel costs and increased fuel prices, partially offset by hedging gains.
Net profit for the quarter was $505 million, down 68.9% from the previous year. This reflects the absence of a one-off accounting gain of $1.1 billion from the prior-year disposal of Vistara following the Air India-Vistara merger, as well as higher losses from associated companies, including a full-quarter recognition of Air India’s losses compared with just one month in the prior year.
In the first nine months of FY2025/26, the group’s revenue reached $15.18 billion, up 3.2% rise from the previous year, with help from a 4.1% increase in passenger traffic. Passenger load factors went up to 87.7%, while cargo revenue slipped slightly due to weaker yields. Net profit for the nine-month period was $743 million, reflecting similar one-off adjustments and higher losses from associates.
SIA Group’s fleet consists of 212 aircraft, with SIA operating 144 passenger planes and seven freighters, and Scoot operating 61 passenger aircraft. Recent additions include new Airbus A320neo, A321neo, and Embraer E190-E2 aircraft for Scoot. Looking ahead, SIA will deploy its A380 on daily Dubai flights and expand frequencies to destinations including Bangkok, Barcelona, Cairns, Surabaya, and Yangon. Scoot will launch new services to several Asian cities, including Tokyo Haneda and Chiang Rai.
The group continues to invest in the passenger experience. A newly opened First Class SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport completes phase one of a $45 million upgrade program, and full-flat business class seats, seatback entertainment, and Wi-Fi are now standard across all cabins. SIA also plans to introduce next-generation long-haul cabins, new KrisWorld entertainment, upgraded dining, and LEO satellite Wi-Fi across its fleet.
SIA is also strengthening its strategic ties with Air India and Malaysia Airlines as a way of improving connectivity, coordinated schedules, and loyalty benefits, strengthening its position as a global network carrier.