Singapore completes 40 glorious years in India! Face to Face with Chai Woo Foo, General Manager Singapore Airlines India.

Ques: With a continuing need to cut costs, how can your employees help reduce costs and save money for their airline? What type of employee initiatives do you have or are you considering implementing to help control costs?

Foo: Our employees showed their dedication to the SIA Group through the downturn, which, coupled with the loyalty of our customers, helped us come through the testing period stronger than ever. The support of our staff and the sacrifices each employee made were crucial to the group. Measures to cope with the surplus of personnel arising from capacity cuts included unpaid leave and shorter work-month schemes, in addition to salary cuts in accordance with the terms of our Union agreements. Everyone pulled together, highlighting the tight working relationship between manage¬ment and staff. We 'were nimble and flexible* - as a result, enabling timely decisions and the quick implementation of measures to address the situation at hand.

Ques: What is the inventiveness that Singapore Airlines has taken to conserve the
world's environment from global warming?

Foo: Singapore Airlines has a long term commitment to preserving and protecting the environment. We recently announced the donation of US$3 million in our first major involvement in a large-scale green project with long-term, sustainable benefits for the global environment. Funds donated by the airline will go towards supporting the Harapan Rainforest Initiative, a unique collaboration between international Non-Governmental Organizations including BirdLife International and Burung Indonesia (BirdLife Partner in Indonesia).
In another move towards more environmentally-friendly operations, with the ultimate aim of a paperless cabin, Singapore Airlines will progressively introduce an electronic version of magazines on its award-winning KrisWorld inflight entertainment system. As a first step, the airline will offer in electronic format its three inflight magazines - SUverKris. KrisShop and KrisWorld

Ques: Where do you see SIA in live years? What positions the airline for long-term success?

Foo: Over the 40 glorious years, we have spent in India, we have been able to create differentiated experiences to ensure that the travel experience for our customers is more than desirable and we will continue to uphold that commitment. Product development and progression for premium cabins will continue to evolve more rapidly in the future, necessitating more focus to ensure our product offerings remain relevant and competitive, and more consistent across our fleet. We recognize the need to stay ahead in innovation and to cater to the growing and more varied needs of our customers. Our local Indian heritage reflects well in the customizations we do for the Indian traveler be it the various value promotions we introduce or even the food on board.

How big a threat is terrorism to the aviation industry?

No matter how big or small a threat it may be, the aviation security establishment world over has unchallengeable security protocol and measures in place to thwart any kind of terrorist activity. Since 9/11, there rarely have been any similar incidents and the credit goes to unbending aviation security. Instruments like full-body scanners have been installed to make sure nothing remains unnoticed. Credit also goes to the passengers who remain awake to anything even slightly suspicious. The famous example is the Christmas Day bombing attempt in the US last year that was foiled by some vigilant passengers. So there is no doubt whatsoever that terrorists will not get their way against a steadfast aviation industry under any circumstances.

Since ecology means study of environment, ecological tourism involves travelling to untouched and protected areas. It generally attracts ecologically and socially conscious individuals. Ecotourism is also important from the point of view of educating a traveller, generating funds for conservation, economic development, respecting cultural diversity and human rights. Other important features of ecotourism are promotion of recycling, energy efficiency, water conservation and creation of economic opportunities for local communities.

- Nayanika Thakur, Nagpur