Foreigners are usually the first to go at any airline during a downturn. Singaporean’s were a single digit percentage of the 2400 retrenchments across the SIA group.
Publicly stated plans are for a reduced fleet size, fewer destinations and smaller aircraft in the short term until business recovers. Air and sea links are critical to Singapore and will be supported. Travel bubbles are slowly opening up, Japan commences on 18 September and opening up with Malaysia may take place in January.
Silk Air and Scoot are likely to lead the recovery with mainline A350/B787s following. B777 will take longer. B747F doing well, especially with plans to develop sea/air transshipment.
No decision yet regarding the A380, SIA have 19 and are far less exposed to the type than EK where it’s nearly half of the fleet. They could be retired or a limited number bought back depending on the demand.
Condolences to all those affected, mainline are with you all the way.