Singapore Airlines has to consider various political, economic, social, technological, and environmental factors when expanding globally. Politically, they receive support from the Singapore government but must comply with aviation regulations in other countries. Economically, factors like oil prices, recessions, and growth in Asian markets affect demand. Socially, they aim to satisfy diverse customer needs and expectations through services. Technologically, they pioneer new aircraft and digital services to remain competitive. Environmentally, they invest in more fuel-efficient and sustainable operations.
Singapore Airlines has to consider various political, economic, social, technological, and environmental factors when expanding globally. Politically, they receive support from the Singapore government but must comply with aviation regulations in other countries. Economically, factors like oil prices, recessions, and growth in Asian markets affect demand. Socially, they aim to satisfy diverse customer needs and expectations through services. Technologically, they pioneer new aircraft and digital services to remain competitive. Environmentally, they invest in more fuel-efficient and sustainable operations.
Singapore Airlines has to consider various political, economic, social, technological, and environmental factors when expanding globally. Politically, they receive support from the Singapore government but must comply with aviation regulations in other countries. Economically, factors like oil prices, recessions, and growth in Asian markets affect demand. Socially, they aim to satisfy diverse customer needs and expectations through services. Technologically, they pioneer new aircraft and digital services to remain competitive. Environmentally, they invest in more fuel-efficient and sustainable operations.
Singapore Airlines has to consider various political, economic, social, technological, and environmental factors when expanding globally. Politically, they receive support from the Singapore government but must comply with aviation regulations in other countries. Economically, factors like oil prices, recessions, and growth in Asian markets affect demand. Socially, they aim to satisfy diverse customer needs and expectations through services. Technologically, they pioneer new aircraft and digital services to remain competitive. Environmentally, they invest in more fuel-efficient and sustainable operations.
As pursuing to develop globally, Singapore Airlines has to consider political factors in Singapore market and other countries as well. This consideration is seen as the critical element for their expanding internationally strategy and decisions. Fortunately, Singapore Airlines receives tremendous support from the Singapore Government in terms of tax, fuel as their main shareholder is Government of Singapore (Lacar, F. 2004). Moreover, Singapore Airlines has more advantages than their competitors in terms of profit as the general tax for firms in Singapore is more favorable than in other countries. For example, Delta Airlines has to be subjected 35% corporation tax in America while British Airway as well as Japan Airlines has to pay 30% corporation tax in England and Japan, respectively in comparison with 20% corporation tax that Singapore Airlines pays in Singapore (Nation Master). Additionally, aviation government regulations must be taken into consideration when Singapore Airlines expand their business overseas. In the past, Singapore Airlines has withdrawn its bid for a stake in Air India as a political barrier in India. In 2005, Singapore Airlines was very difficult to be approved by Australian Government to invest S$12 million into the Australia market where dominant by Qantas and United Airlines (Bandt, 2005). In airline industry, the term airlines freedom refers to the airspace of each country which allows for whether landing or not. The agreement of landing right is discussed at the national level between the governments at trades meeting. Today, skies policies are opening and continuing to be deregulated which create more opportunities for Singapore Airlines. However, the process of reducing the government regulations is a threat for them to maintain their business in Singapore.
2.2. Economic factors
Economic elements which include interest rates, oil price, taxation changes, economic growth, inflation and tariff is the most important factor affecting directly to Airline industry. Also, the economic health of countries is influence strongly to flight demand. Singapore Airlines has been taken advantage of economic development in Singapore in where the more business and investment to Singapore the bigger number of customers for them. As targeting to serve business people, Singapore Airlines even has to concern more about economic situation. Their financial report last year has shown the decrease in revenue by 20.6% from 15,996.3 $billion in 2009 to 12,707.3 $billion in 2010 as the consequence of Asian financial crisis and the recession (Singapore Airlines, 2010). In addition, recession is seen as the main reason for decrease in air travel. Also, it seems to be very difficult for Singapore Airlines as well as airline firms in determining demand and costs. Moreover, Singapore Airlines has to consider the price fluctuation such as oil price as its rising causes increasing flight prices which might hamper Singapore Airlines’ competitive advantages in terms of competing with budget airline firms. By continuing consider economic factors around the world helps Singapore Airlines has more appreciate information and right decision when they come to other countries. For examples, as a major shareholder criticized that the deal is unfair, Singapore Airlines was in trouble when negotiating to buy 24% stake in China Eastern Airlines as a step of occupying Asian market. On the other hand, the growth in Asian economics has opened more market and created more opportunities for Singapore Airlines.
2.3. Social – cultural factors
Nowadays, along with the high travel demand, people have more choices among airline firms when they travel or work aboard. At Singapore Airlines, as committing to provide excellent service and safe flight, customers are expecting more and more what they will receive in their journeys. For example, the different culture requires the different serve such as food provided, welcome …etc, that must be considered in order to satisfy customers. Also, Singapore Airlines has to maintain their standards to build up higher company image as “Singapore Girls” when going business globally. Specially, one of the most concerns for Singapore Airlines is customer’s fear of travel due to terrorism, prestige and air accidences. In 2002, they had faced very negative social impacts as their responsibility for the dead of 82 people and wounds of 81 passengers after a fatal crash at Taipei International Airport. Moreover, SARS and flu epidemic in 2009 had caused Singapore Airlines stock index decreased by 4% and rising worries about travel overseas. Recognizing customers’ attitudes are very important; Singapore Airlines changed all engine motor of their aircraft A380 to retain customers after accidence occurred with the same planes of Qantas Airlines in 2010. To ensure their mission, they have been caring their staff in terms of social customs by structuring their organization and providing advantage working environment. Also, by caring people’s opinions, lifestyles as well as customers’ social norms and values, Singapore Airlines is continuously expanding their business globally. 2.4. Technological factors Continuing apply advanced technologies allow Singapore Airlines always is the pioneer in Airline industry. Besides, as the rapidly growing and changing in technology, technological factors are the critical elements requiring Singapore Airline to develop and apply in terms of safety and service standard. Otherwise, they will lose their competitive advantages. In fact, Singapore Airlines was the first airline introducing the largest commercial plane A380 in 2007. Also, they are the first and only airline applying micro system powers in the sky which benefits customers to keep working on the air without power up their laptops. Moreover, providing the world’s wildest first and Business Class seats and a technologically advanced seat in Economic Class, which makes the competitive advantage for Singapore Airlines. Besides, in terms of service and safety, Singapore Airlines was ranked at number one in 2008 (traveltruth.com, 2009) by rapidly improving their service systems such as online ticketing, self-service check in at airport as well as developed their ground services, which bring the unique experiences for customers flying with Singapore Airlines.
2.5. Environmental factors
Airline industry has been run under pressure of saving environment by decreasing air pollution, noise aircraft as well as reducing contribution to global warming. By looking at these factors carefully, Singapore Airlines have maintained their successful position in the market as well as provided their long-term benefits to customers. Otherwise, they would have to face challenges like the air traffic crisis in 2010 caused by volcano in Ireland. Despite concerns about financial issues, Singapore Airlines is planning to spend $1.5 trillion on new aircraft by 2020 and replacing cleaner and greener aircraft A380 in order to reduce CO2 commission by 21% and committing to continue this reduction by 50% in 2050. Moreover, by using efficient fuel, replacing old planes, training staff, saving energy grounding resources, communicating with partnerships and applying advanced technologies, Singapore Airlines is continuing their successful business along with benefits for communities.