History and the management structure of SIA
(Early days) Singapore Airlines’ history can be traced back to 1 May 1947, when a Malayan Airways Limited (MAL) Airspeed Consul took off from Singapore Kallang Airport on the first of three scheduled flights a week to Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang. · Over the next five years, larger capacity DC-3 aircraft were introduced. This meant faster and more comfortable flights, and the extension of services to destinations in Indonesia, Vietnam, Burma (now Myanmar), North Borneo (Sabah) and Sarawak. · Inflight refreshments improved from the original thermos flask of iced water to sandwiches, biscuits and cold cuts plus a choice of hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages served by a lone hostess. Known as “female pursers”, these hostesses are the forerunners of today’s Singapore Girl.
(1950-60s) More new aircraft were added to the fleet in the 1950s and 1960s, the period leading up to the jet age. Among these were the DC-4 Skymaster, Vickers Viscount, Lockheed Super Constellation, Bristol Britannia, Comet IV and Fokker F27. · On 16 September 1963, the Federation of Malaysia was born and the Airline became known as Malaysian Airways Limited. In May 1966, it became Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA).
(1970-80s) The 1970s got underway with a bang: on 2 June 1971, MSA’s first transcontinental flight took off for London. · In 1972, MSA split to become two new entities – Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airline System. · The rest of the decade was devoted to growth and consolidation of the newly established Singapore Airlines. The fleet was expanded to include B747s, B727s and DC10s. To provide more efficient ground services at Paya Lebar Airport, a subsidiary company, Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS), was set up. A B747 hangar and airfreight terminal opened in 1977. · The move to the new Singapore Changi Airport from Paya Lebar on 1 July 1981 was a big event. Two years later, Airline House, Singapore Airlines’ corporate headquarters in the Changi Airfreight
(1950-60s) More new aircraft were added to the fleet in the 1950s and 1960s, the period leading up to the jet age. Among these were the DC-4 Skymaster, Vickers Viscount, Lockheed Super Constellation, Bristol Britannia, Comet IV and Fokker F27. · On 16 September 1963, the Federation of Malaysia was born and the Airline became known as Malaysian Airways Limited. In May 1966, it became Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA).
(1970-80s) The 1970s got underway with a bang: on 2 June 1971, MSA’s first transcontinental flight took off for London. · In 1972, MSA split to become two new entities – Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airline System. · The rest of the decade was devoted to growth and consolidation of the newly established Singapore Airlines. The fleet was expanded to include B747s, B727s and DC10s. To provide more efficient ground services at Paya Lebar Airport, a subsidiary company, Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS), was set up. A B747 hangar and airfreight terminal opened in 1977. · The move to the new Singapore Changi Airport from Paya Lebar on 1 July 1981 was a big event. Two years later, Airline House, Singapore Airlines’ corporate headquarters in the Changi Airfreight