Scoot, the low-cost subsidiary of Singapore Airlines (SIA), announced the launch of three new flight services to Phu Quoc in Vietnam, Padang in Indonesia and Shantou in China. Flights to Phu Quoc and Padang will commence on December 20, 2024 and January 6, 2025, respectively, and will be operated on the Embraer E190-E2 aircraft while flights to Shantou will begin on January 16, 2025 on the Airbus A320 family aircraft.
Known for its rare wildlife and pristine beaches, Phu Quoc is a tropical haven perfect for a holiday of adventure or relaxation. It also houses the Phu Quoc National Park, recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. At present, Phu Quoc is the only destination in Vietnam that has a 30-day visa-free policy, offering international travellers convenient access.
Padang, the capital city of West Sumatra and the birthplace of Padang cuisine (Nasi Padang), is a vibrant destination known for its Minangkabau culture and breathtaking beaches for surfing.
Shantou, a coastal city located in the province of Guangdong in China, is a destination with deep cultural heritage and home to Chaoshan cuisine including marinated raw seafood.
With excellent connectivity, and simple visa rules (visa on arrival available at most places), a weekend or short trip to destinations, such as Singapore, Bangkok, Vietnam, or Dubai, to enjoy the nightlife with a group of friends or as a couple is as much the norm as doing a weekend getaway to Goa. Goa too has become more of a nightlife hotspot rather than a beach destination.
In addition to the new destinations, Scoot will be making some adjustments to its network to better match capacity to demand and optimise fleet deployment. Brian Torrey, general manager, India and West Asia, Scoot said, “With Scoot’s expanded network, we’re excited about the potential for increased travel from India to destinations like Phu Quoc, Padang, and Shantou. We expect Phu Quoc especially to become a popular addition to Indian travellers’ itineraries, complementing existing Vietnam destinations that Scoot serves – Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi – and offering a rich, multi-city experience.”
