Guys, this is a very good opportunity in Asia. The airline is backed by SQ and with a good pilot/management relations, flow thru agreement to the parent company makes Silk Air 1 of the better company to work for. Stay tuned for more hiring update.


Press Release

3 August 2012

SILKAIR TO ORDER UP TO 68 NEW BOEING AIRCRAFT

SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, has signed a letter of intent to purchase up to 68 new aircraft from Boeing.

The order is the largest in SilkAir's history and remains subject to the negotiation of a final purchase agreement.

It will comprise firm orders for 54 aircraft and purchase rights for another 14. Firm orders will comprise 23 Boeing 737-800s and 31 Boeing 737 MAX 8s. SilkAir will have the flexibility to switch to other variants within the B737 product range.

The firm-ordered aircraft are valued at US$4.9 billion based on current Boeing list prices. Deliveries are due to begin in 2014 and continue to 2021, by which time the Airline's fleet will have more than doubled in size.

SilkAir currently operates 21 A319s and A320s, with three more A320s due for delivery by the end of 2013. The new aircraft will cater for both growth and fleet renewal.

SilkAir Chief Executive Marvin Tan said the size of the order reflects the Airline's confidence in the Asia-Pacific air travel market, helping the carrier maintain annual double-digit percentage growth rates through the end of this decade and beyond.

"We continue to see very strong growth within the region and these new aircraft will position SilkAir well. They will enable us to spread our wings to even more destinations and increase capacity on existing routes, contributing to the overall SIA Group network," said Mr Tan.

"The selection of the B737 follows detailed evaluations and extensive negotiations with both Airbus and Boeing. The order will enable us to maintain a young and modern fleet, with an aircraft that has a proven track record of strong customer appeal, excellent reliability and low operating costs."

The B737-800 is the best-selling variant in Boeing's popular Next Generation family of single-aisle aircraft. The B737 MAX is currently in development and will be the latest generation of the product line.

From what I understand Silk is in a hiring freeze but that's supposed to thaw in the next few months, Pay and schedule details.

As far as I know they have ordered B737NG's for next year.Do you know whether they are going to recruit captains for the B737's or not and if they are,when that would be?

I assume they're recruit type rated and current 73 PICs, but that's just a guess. Sorry I really don't know anything more about Silk than what I posted, and what is contained in the link.

I am an American expat in Singapore (fly corporate) so if you have any questions about life here ask away. Or check out my wife's blog (she's a professional writer).

Replacement fleet does not necessarily mean replacement crews. If Silk Air's plan is to phase out their Airbuses, why would they put crews on the street, as Boeing provides training for limited number of pilots for each aircraft purchased. They may transition them to the Boeing.

Perhaps someone who is currently with Silk Air can comment as to whether the monthly pay is net or gross of taxes. After tax cost of living for a decent flat and grub in SIN is not cheap by any means.

The article says the new planes are both growth and fleet renewal.

Taxes are pretty low here, around 15%, not sure if it's pre or post tax, I assume pre tax. You are right a flat is expensive here, if you eat local food it's quite cheap...if you eat western it's very expensive, even if you don't eat out.

Not to mention a far greater location to exist and fly quality aircraft rather than being based in Jordan, Ethiopia, or Oman for that matter. One can manage at the local markets quite nicely to conserve expenses.

I'll see what I can find out later this month. A classmate of mine from EK just left to join SilkAir in April. He was hired as an A320 DEC ( previous 320 time ). He's got Singapore residency so being on a local term contract works out well for him.

I also just did line training for a guy who was there a few years ago. He left to join Kingfisher when they started up. He said the schedules there were very nice. Mostly day turn-arounds of good length so 2 sectors days was the norm. A few all night type flights to India, but those were rare. Not a commuting schedule, but great if you live there.

SilkAir, being part of the Singapore group get the Singapore group's annual bonus and as mentioned a possibility of going to Singapore mainline down the road.


TP

They are currently working on the manpower requirements and in due time DEC position certainly would be available. In the past if one is current on type then it's 1500 PIC on type if not 3000 PIC is required.

The roster is out 2 months in advance so the guys now know what will they do until early Oct. When one does a night turn it is mandatory to have 2 days off afterward and the pilots rarely see those night turns, maybe like 1-2 times a month. Great managements. The current profit share scheme is that Silk will be paid 1.5 months more than SQ and this runs until next contract negotiation which expires in 2014. Flow through agreement to SQ(only available to Capt) is that you need to serve a min of 4 years in Silk after checked to the line.

The future route expansions are to expand the flying from a current 5 hours radius from SIN to 6.5 hours with 737MAX which a layover would be required..

An interesting time ahead.