The Singaporeans tried and often off-set approach of sitting back,plotting (all supposedly) carefully analysing the market for the long-term outcome has failed them dismally in the past several years with the outcome being not only a loss of face but also the loss of hundreds of millions of $.
They have failed to correctly analyse and interpret certain contingencies critical to the final outcome - mainly to do with understanding people and interpreting attitudes of their adversaries so to speak.
The Ansett/Air NZ debacle is a case in point.
They failed to anticipate the moves of not only the QF board but also the NZ government,Brierley investments as well as the Air NZ board (which they themselves were a member).
It was handled carelessly by SQ and with great manipulative skill and cunning on the part of Geoff Dixon and his team at QF.
The purchase of 49% of Virgin Atlantic has caused numerous headaches for Dr Cheong also - particularly in the wake of 9/11 and almost caused Virgin Atlantic to go into administration early in the peace.
Numerous other ventures have come under criticism also in Singapore.
I agree - SQ have had numerous good opportunities in this country and have let them go by the wayside with disastrous consequences.
Clearly their approach is in need of rectification.
To start up an airline just to provide on-carriage seems inappropriate and the securement of terminal space in Oz is also critical.
They could have purchased the AnNsett Sydney terminal and derived income from that for a relatively most $190million.
Now they will have to pay through the nose and share the less modern portion of the terminal with someone else as QF has secured the modern B concourse.
A lot of wishful thinking but once again its going to cost them alot and for what?????
Last edited by TIMMEEEE; 30th Aug 2002 at 01:36.