SIA has typically been a very reluctant partner, perhaps because of fears that its brand would be diluted. It does not participate in any of the metal neutral anti-trust joint ventures which have become common in the trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific markets and have also started to penetrate the Asia-Europe market. Several of SIA’s Japanese and European competitors are participating in these ventures, giving them a competitive advantage, particularly on SIA’s US routes.
So far SIA only has joint ventures with two small carriers which do not serve Singapore (SAS) or will have just one daily flight to Singapore (Air New Zealand). SIA’s other close partner, Virgin Australia, also does not serve Singapore.