Jeffrey Siow on Singapore Airlines’ investment in Air India

At present, there is no reason to doubt Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) ability to deliver air services in Singapore, said Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow. As for its investment in Air India, SIA has been open about it, he said in reply to MP Kenneth Tiong’s question in parliament on Tuesday (Sep 8). Addressing Mr Tiong’s suggestion that Singaporeans are somehow paying for the Air India investment, he said SIA is a listed company that funds its investments from its own balance sheet and earnings. He stressed that the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s assessment remains that SIA’s ability to serve Singaporeans is not adversely affected. Mr Siow also noted that Mr Tiong had stated online that he strongly rejects the racist and xenophobic comments that have arisen in the public discussion on Air India. But he pointed out that his public rhetoric goes beyond the question that he put before the House - he has posed a narrowly framed technical query on SIA’s capacity to provide essential transport services and insinuated that through SIA's investments, Singaporeans somehow "owe Air India a living". This does not contribute to a healthy climate for companies to make commercial decisions which serve the best interests of Singapore and Singaporeans, said Mr Siow.