Scoot takes off with first Embraer E190-E2

Fleet of new aircraft poised to aid the LCC’s push into secondary cities across Southeast Asia.

Scoot marked operations for its first Embraer E190-E2 with a launch event at Singapore Changi Airport.
Scoot marked operations for its first Embraer E190-E2 with a launch event at Singapore Changi Airport. Photo Credit: Scoot

Local airline Scoot – the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines – has opened routes from Singapore to Krabi and Hat Yai with the addition of nine Embraer E190-E2 aircrafts to its fleet; the first of the aircraft has taken off on its inaugural flight to Krabi and Hat Yai from Singapore’s Changi Airport.

As the industry’s quietest and most fuel-efficient single-aisle aircraft, the Embraer E190-E2 features 112 seats in a 2-2 single class configuration, a standard seat pitch of 29”, and larger cabin windows.

“With its modern operating capabilities and fuel-efficient credentials, the E190-E2 was a natural choice as we looked to grow Scoot’s fleet,” said Leslie Thng, CEO of Scoot.

“We are confident that with this new-generation aircraft, we will continue to strengthen our presence in the region, enhance our connectivity to non-metro destinations and provide our customers with even more memorable travel experiences.”

The second E190-E2 aircraft has also arrived in Singapore and is in the final phase of preparations for operations. The remaining seven aircraft are expected to be progressively delivered by the end of 2025.

As of 7 May 2024, Scoot flies to 67 destinations across 15 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Europe. For Thng, the aircrafts are potentially a major step toward unlocking and maintaining connectivity with non-metro locations in a post-pandemic climate.

“We proactively review destinations based on market demand potential, taking into consideration the competition landscape and how it can value-add to the wider SIA Group’s network connectivity via Singapore,” he explained.

“The Embraer E190-E2 is not an entirely new aircraft and has been in the market for a couple of years, which has allowed us to study its operating statistics. We believe that the business case is sound to unlock new regional growth opportunities in secondary cities in Southeast Asia by ‘rightsizing’ our operations through the nine E190-E2s.”

Going forward, Scoot has planned for its first two E2s to operate in six destinations across Thailand and Malaysia. To accompany the intake of the next three E2s due to arrive in the second half of this year, the airline will add three to five new destinations for E2 operations.