New deliveries of Airbus A320 Neo started in 2018 to replace older types and standardize the fleet around the Airbus A320Neo for short haul operations and the Boeing 787 for the long haul operations.

Following the 2017 merger with Tigerair, Scoot continued 2018 as a significantly enlarged low-cost carrier under the Singapore Airlines Group, operating both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft across short-, medium-, and long-haul routes. That same year, Singapore Airlines reallocated aircraft orders to Scoot, including conversions of Boeing 787-10 orders into Boeing 787-8 aircraft specifically for the low-cost carrier.

In 2019, Scoot continued expanding its fleet and network. An important milestone came with the order of 16 Airbus A321neo aircraft, signalling a long-term commitment to improving fuel efficiency and increasing capacity on high-demand regional routes. During this period, the airline also rationalised its fleet by phasing out older Airbus A319 aircraft inherited from Tigerair, aligning operations around the A320 family and Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 marked the most significant disruption in Scoot’s modern history. Like most airlines globally, Scoot faced an unprecedented collapse in passenger demand due to border closures and travel restrictions. The airline drastically reduced its flight operations and grounded a significant portion of its fleet. During this period, Scoot also saw the closure of NokScoot, its joint venture in Thailand, which ceased operations in 2020 amid the downturn.

Between 2021 and 2022, Scoot gradually resumed operations as travel restrictions eased. The airline focused on rebuilding its network, initially prioritising essential routes and later reintroducing leisure destinations as demand recovered. The delivery of Airbus A321neo aircraft began in May 2021. The A321neo enabled Scoot to serve longer narrow-body routes with better economics, allowing it to explore thinner markets that could not sustain wide-body aircraft. This period also saw the airline adapt to changing passenger behaviour, including increased demand for short-haul leisure travel and flexible booking options.

By 2022–2023, Scoot had returned to profitability after several years of losses, benefiting from strong pent-up travel demand across Asia. By late 2023, the airline had restored over 90% of its pre-pandemic network and even exceeded pre-pandemic capacity levels in certain markets. The airline’s route map continued to expand across Asia-Pacific, with new and reinstated services to China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. New cities which were added were Phu Quoc (Vietnam), Padang (Indonesia), and Shantou (China) launched between late 2024 and early 2025.

A major strategic development in the mid-2020s has been fleet diversification. While Scoot historically operated Airbus and Boeing aircraft, the airline introduced a third aircraft type with the Embraer E190-E2, the first of which was delivered in April 2024. These smaller regional jets, allowed Scoot to access airports with lower demand or operational constraints, opening new point-to-point routes within Southeast Asia.

At the same time, Scoot had continued to take delivery of additional Airbus A320neo family aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners, maintaining a balanced fleet capable of serving both regional and long-haul routes.

In 2025, Scoot announced changes to its European services, replacing the Singapore-Berlin-Athens route with a direct service between Singapore and Athens alongside a new route to Vienna, replacing Berlin. Commencing 14 April 2025, Scoot will be servicing direct flights between Singapore and Iloilo. Scoot will also launch new routes to Okinawa and Labuan Bajo starting August 2025. Other new services include Tokyo Haneda, and Chiang Rai.

Looking towards the future, Scoot’s strategic plans centre on continued fleet expansion and network growth, particularly within Southeast Asia and nearby regions. The introduction of smaller regional aircraft will likely drive expansion into secondary cities and niche markets, while wide-body aircraft will support long-haul leisure travel to Europe, Australia, and North Asia.

In the longer term, Scoot is expected to deepen integration within the Singapore Airlines Group ecosystem, leveraging partnerships, codeshares, and feeder traffic to enhance connectivity. Combined with ongoing fleet modernisation and operational efficiencies, Scoot is positioned to continue its evolution from a regional low-cost carrier into a major player in the broader Asia-Pacific aviation market.