SIA committed to Air India's long-term transformation: CEO

Group stands by investment, amid concerns of further drag on earnings

- Sue-Ann Tan

Singapore Airlines will continue investing in Air India and remains committed to its long-term transformation, said the airline's chief executive Goh Choon Phong on Nov 14.

He was speaking at a briefing on the company's first half results in the six months to Sept 30.

Despite SIA reporting record revenues and achieving higher operating profit, which rose 0.9 per cent year on year to reach $803 million, net profit fell 67.8 per cent to $239 million over the period, due to lower interest income and its share of Air India's losses.

This has raised concerns among analysts and investors about the carrier's ability to sustain its earnings momentum.

SIA shares were down around 2 per cent to $6.52 at closing on Nov 14, compared with the previous close of $6.65.

The airline began accounting for associate Air India's financial performance from December 2024, after Vistara was merged into the Indian flag carrier. But losses at Air India have since widened, exacerbated by a plane crash in June 2025 that killed 241 people on board in Ahmedabad.

When asked about its investment in Air India at the briefing, Mr Goh said: "All we say, and continue to say, is that we remain very committed to the transformation of Air India."

He added that this is a long-term investment for SIA and it has no illusions about the challenges along the way.

Mr Goh noted during the briefing that SIA has built a strong codeshare partnership with Air India, giving its customers access to more than 30 additional points within India.

He also pointed to India's strong air travel growth potential, noting that SIA began exploring partnership opportunities in the market more than a decade ago.