the corporate profile this is Vinod Kannan, CEO of Singapore Airlines Indonesia. Mr. Kannan was with the world-renowned airline since 2001 and is a passionate player in the aviation industry.
Vinod Kannan
Singapore Airlines has been around a long time and is still a favorite of many Asian travelers. Could you give us please a brief history of the airline?
Singapore Airlines' (SIA) history dating back to May 1, 1947, when Malayan Airways (LTA) Airspeed Consul took off from Singapore Kallang Airport on the first of three regular weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur , Ipoh and Penang. The airline also began service in 1947 in Jakarta, Palembang and Medan. SIA has come a long way since then, the evolution of a regional airline to one of the most respected travel brands around the world. SIA flies one of the youngest fleets of aircraft in the world to 62 destinations on six continents, the daughter of Singapore as its internationally recognized icon providing high standards of care and service that customers have come to expect. SIA has become accustomed to lead the way, and along the way developed a reputation as an industry pioneer. The growing list of leading innovations include the first to offer free headsets, a choice of meals and free drinks in Economy Class in the 1970s, and the first to fly the A380 from Singapore to Sydney on October 25, 2007 .
What's your story behind become CEO of Singapore Airlines Indonesia?
I just Bangalore in India but moved to my home in Singapore in 1996 to study. After my bachelor's degree in engineering in Singapore and a computer control of Singapore and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston, I joined Singapore Airlines in 2001. After working in marketing, route planning and sales, I have moved to Calcutta, India as director of the East India. This was followed by visits to Saudi Arabia and Italy. I moved to Jakarta in December 2013, as general manager and Indonesia enjoy and learn new things every day!
How many flights a day makes Singapore Airlines from Indonesia to Singapore?
SIA currently operates nine daily flights Jakarta, Denpasar and four daily flights from July 26, SIA has taken over one of the two daily flights Surabaya, which was operated by the regional subsidiary SilkAir.
What new routes did you open and you will be opening this year in and out of Indonesia?
Last year, Indonesia, SIA introduced a ninth day service in Jakarta and added simultaneously its fourth daily service to Denpasar (Bali) while services SilkAir (MI) , a subsidiary of SIA, began in Semarang, Makassar and Yogyakarta expand the group to 14 destinations in Indonesia. 2014 North summer season, MI will work to Kalibo Philippines, Mandalay in Myanmar and Hangzhou in China this year.
SIA will make adjustments to certain markets through the network during the summer season North. A third daily flight to Tokyo's Haneda airport was added, increasing the number of daily services to Tokyo to five. A380 will serve Mumbai and New Delhi every day from 30 May 2014, taking over from two daily flights that currently serve every city with smaller aircraft. the A380 service to Shanghai from five times a week to daily, while the frequency in Istanbul will increase by one flight per week to six times a week. To meet the summer peak demand, SIA resume Athens twice weekly between June 9, 2014 and October 9, 2014, while capacity in some markets in Europe and Japan will be increased.
Is it difficult to find the manpower to support your growing company in Indonesia?
Finding the right people is the key to any organization in a market. Singapore Airlines offers an attractive remuneration for carpenters in grass and I'm happy to say that we have a dedicated, talented and consistent here in Indonesia.
Why do you think that Singapore Airlines is the preferred airline for short-haul travel, particularly to Singapore, many Indonesians and expatriates in Jakarta?
We believe that the overall travel experience is one of the main motivating factors for choosing Singapore Airlines. Since its establishment, Singapore Airlines has earned a reputation as an innovative market leader, combining quality products with excellent service. Excellence in customer service has been integral to the success of Singapore Airlines. Superb inflight service is the cornerstone of its reputation for customer service and hospitality.
With so many low-cost carriers in operation now this affect your business?
As the airline industry becomes difficult with airlines offering aggressive pricing amid capacity increasing and fuel prices remain high by historical standards, it will be natural that we face competition in the industry. While we will react and adapt to immediate challenges and short-term; we also plan well in advance and keep an eye on the opportunities and challenges that may emerge in the long term.
Does SIA have a low-cost airline that?
Yes, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, called Scoot (www.FlyScoot.com). Scoot operates medium to long-haul, the low-cost flights between Singapore and Australia, China and others. Scoot operates independently and has its own management team. Another subsidiary is Tigerair for short-haul flights.
How SIA works to be the preferred airline in the region?
Singapore Airlines emphasizes its premium positioning and the core values that drive our success. Key elements of security, a zealous attention to our customers, product innovation and leadership, as well as network connectivity, are the basis of our competitive offering and will be continuously strengthened. Our products will continue to evolve, with attention to comfort, design and appearance, experience in flight, in-flight entertainment experience, and the service element, which wraps the entire package.
How many passengers do you hover over a year?
In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2014, SIA carried 18.6 million passengers, an increase of 2.3% compared to last year. passenger transport (in revenue passenger kilometers) rose 1.4% on the back of 1.9% growth in capacity (in available seat kilometers).
How many aircraft does Singapore Airlines have worldwide?
In May 2014, SIA has 104 passenger aircraft in its fleet.
What was your annual sales in 2013? What are your projections this year?
In the 2013-14 fiscal year, the operating performance of SIA improved by $ 69 million (. 36.9%) as an increase of $ 93 million in revenue exceeded an increase of 24 million $ expenditures.
Since the tragic disappearance of flight Malaysia Airlines MH370, do you have security measures for your airline?
Being in the airline industry, SIA will examine all incidents related to the operation of airlines. SIA scrutiny that would require us to work with other parties; aircraft manufacturers, authorities, etc. Rest assured that these things are taken very seriously. We have devoted resources to look at what we can learn and share with our friends in other airlines.
And finally, what do you believe is the key to success in your professional life?
Based on my experience, the key to the performance of a team is the way they can interact and gel together. People make any organization or successful business, more than anything else. The secret is to ensure that people in the business are motivated, committed and always achieve their potential. The other important aspect for personal success is the family. In my case, my wife and three year old daughter are the support mechanism that keep me grounded when things get a little crazy!
Thanks, Vinod. If you want to contact, please email vinod.kannan@gmail.com.