From 13 May 2024, Scoot will add daily direct flights to Koh Samui on its new Embraer jets.
Prior to COVID, the SIA Group used to serve Koh Samui through SilkAir, with twice-daily flights operated by the Airbus A319.
The Koh Samui route was suspended at the start of COVID, and then in 2021 SilkAir was folded into Singapore Airlines. With the A319s returned to lessors, the Group has lacked an aircraft capable of serving the island’s small airport ever since. In their absence, Bangkok Airways has had a monopoly on the route, with a commensurate effect on pricing- it’s not uncommon to find round-trip tickets starting from S$700+.
There’s good news though. Scoot will soon be receiving nine Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, which are well within the operating limits of type-restricted airports like Koh Samui. The delivery of these aircraft has been slightly delayed, but we now have official confirmation that the first two will arrive in April 2024. These will enable Scoot to launch new services to Koh Samui and Sibu, while increasing frequencies to Krabi, Hat Yai, Kuantan and Miri.
Daily services to Koh Samui will start from 13 May 2024, and one-way fares start from just S$172!
This will provide some much-needed competition for Bangkok Airways, with very affordable one-way fares now on offer. From 13 May 2024, Scoot will commence daily flights to Koh Samui, with the frequency progressively increased to twice daily by 6 June 2024.
These flights are well-timed to connect with long-haul flights from Australia and Europe that arrive in Singapore in the morning, allowing holidaygoers to book a single itinerary on SIA and Scoot with minimal hassle.
In fact, we’d argue these timings are much better than Bangkok Airways’ two existing flights, which depart from Singapore at 5.20 p.m and 8.15 p.m, meaning you have to waste an extra hotel night on arrival. If you live in Singapore, you might want to consider maximising your vacation time by flying Scoot on the outbound leg, and Bangkok Airways on the way home.
(via The Milelion)