Singapore Airlines backtracks on Brussels launch

Singapore Airlines will not be launching services to Brussels later this year, despite what the carrier had announced back in December 2019. This is likely due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has hit airlines across the globe hard.

Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 on approach to Singapore. Photo by Benjamin Liew | AeroNewsX

Singapore Airlines originally intended to launch services to Brussels effective 25 October, 2020. However, as reported by RoutesOnline and confirmed by AeroNewsX sources, the new route will no longer take place.

The new service was supposed to operate four times a week between the two capitals, and would act as the only direct link between the two cities. For Brussels Airport, the announcement was a significant achievement as it allowed it to further expand its Asian network, which has been particularly small over the last couple of years.

This concern was highlighted when Brussels Airlines suspended its only service to Asia in January 2019. The Brussels to Mumbai service, which was serviced by an Airbus A330, was suspended as the carrier's focus shifted back to Africa, a spokesperson told AeroNewsX last year.

Singapore Airlines had actually operated to Brussels in the past. The carrier launched its first flights to Brussels back in 1979 and was still a common sight two decades later.

Article by Dillon Shah and Cornelius Kwok.