Singapore Airlines has finalized its winter 2025–26 schedule, unveiling a strategic network adjustment designed to cut underperforming routes in Europe and North Asia while expanding high-demand services to the Southern Hemisphere and key leisure markets.
Context & Network Overview
The new winter schedule, covering the period from late October 2025 to late March 2026, demonstrates the airline’s data-driven approach to managing capacity. By March 2026, Singapore Airlines will operate over 2,400 weekly passenger flights, marking its strongest operational level since the pandemic and achieving approximately 91% of pre-COVID-19 service levels. This recovery reflects the carrier’s agile response to evolving global travel trends and market demands.
Scaling Back in Europe & North Asia
To align with historically weaker winter travel demand in Europe, the airline is trimming frequencies or temporarily suspending flights on several routes:
- Barcelona (BCN): Nonstop flights will be suspended for one month in February 2026. However, the route will continue to be served through Milan (MXP) with extended operations.
- London Heathrow (LHR): Daily flights will be reduced from four to three between mid-January and late February, adjusting to seasonal travel dips.
- Rome (FCO): Weekly flights will be reduced from four to three during most of the winter season.
- Munich (MUC): Frequencies will drop to five weekly flights in February, a 29% reduction compared to the previous winter season.
- Paris (CDG): Weekly frequencies will be adjusted to 10 during off-peak periods, translating to a 6% overall reduction in seat capacity.
In North Asia, similar adjustments are being implemented:
- Beijing Capital (PEK): Select flights will be reduced to two daily services during certain weeks.
- Beijing Daxing (PKX): Flights will be suspended for a month in early 2026, with smaller Airbus A350 aircraft used upon resumption.
- Osaka (KIX): Frequencies will be scaled back from three daily flights to two during parts of the season.
- Seoul (ICN): Daily services will decrease from four to three in the first quarter of 2026.
- Hong Kong (HKG): Weekly flights will reduce from 42 to 35, with the Airbus A380 remaining absent on the route.
These adjustments ensure that resources are efficiently deployed where demand is strongest, maximizing operational efficiency and profitability.
Expansion to High-Demand & Leisure Markets
The reduction in Europe and North Asia allows for strategic redeployment of aircraft to high-growth leisure and Southern Hemisphere routes:
- Auckland (AKL): From January 2026, the Boeing 777-300ER will be replaced by a daily Airbus A380, providing greater capacity during peak travel months.
- Christchurch (CHC): Flight frequency will rise to 11 weekly services during peak travel periods, catering to strong demand from leisure travelers.
- Busan (PUS): Starting February 2026, flights will increase to daily service, a 75% boost in capacity year-on-year.
- Colombo (CMB): From January 2026, services will expand from daily to 10 weekly flights to meet growing demand from the South Asian market.
- Taipei (TPE): A third daily service will return seasonally, utilizing high-density Airbus A350 aircraft to meet increasing travel demand.
- Sapporo (CTS): Daily winter flights will resume in December and January, accommodating tourists seeking seasonal experiences in Japan’s northern regions.
- Tokyo Haneda (HND): A sixth daily flight will be reinstated in December to cater to the holiday travel surge.
This redeployment strategy underscores the airline’s ability to adapt to travel trends, focusing on routes with stronger yields and growing popularity.
Network and Aircraft Optimization
Singapore Airlines is also fine-tuning its aircraft usage to maximize operational efficiency:
- Frankfurt (FRA): A third daily service will be added six days a week, supported by Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to replace the larger Airbus A380.
- On several regional routes, such as Singapore to Denpasar, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, and Manila, the airline will deploy the Airbus A350-900 to enhance efficiency and improve passenger experience.
Fifth Freedom Routes Continue
The airline will maintain its key fifth freedom routes during the winter season. These flights allow Singapore Airlines to carry passengers between two foreign cities, enhancing global connectivity:
- Frankfurt (FRA) – New York (JFK): Operated using the Boeing 777-300ER.
- Milan (MXP) – Barcelona (BCN): Operated with the long-haul Airbus A350.
- Tokyo Narita (NRT) – Los Angeles (LAX): Operated with the Boeing 777-300ER.
These routes provide travelers with additional options and demonstrate Singapore Airlines’ strategic positioning in competitive transcontinental markets.
Strategic Outlook
The winter 2025–26 schedule reflects Singapore Airlines’ focus on precision network planning. By scaling back services in regions with softer seasonal demand and bolstering capacity on leisure and Southern Hemisphere routes, the airline ensures a balance of profitability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
With operations nearing pre-pandemic levels and a steady rise in global travel demand, Singapore Airlines is poised to strengthen its position as a leading global carrier. Its ability to adapt swiftly to market changes while maintaining a customer-centric approach highlights the airline’s commitment to resilience and growth in the post-pandemic travel landscape.
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