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

The newest aircraft for Scoot, is the Airbus A320 Neo from 2018. (Photo: Jetphotos.com)

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. This strategic allocation allowed Scoot to expand intercontinental services while maintaining cost efficiency, particularly on routes linking Southeast Asia with Australia, Japan, and parts of Europe.

In 2019, Scoot continued expanding its fleet and network. A major 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. 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. 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. Network-wise, Scoot expanded further into secondary cities in Asia and strengthened connectivity within China, India, and Southeast Asia, reinforcing its role as a regional connector.

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. Despite these challenges, Scoot implemented cost-control measures and leveraged its parent company’s support to maintain liquidity and operational readiness.

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 June 2021, marking the introduction of a more efficient generation of narrow-body aircraft into its fleet. 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.

From 2023 onwards, Scoot entered a renewed growth phase, characterised by aggressive network restoration and expansion. 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 destinations in China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. For example, new routes such as Phu Quoc (Vietnam), Padang (Indonesia), and Shantou (China) were launched between late 2024 and early 2025, reflecting Scoot’s focus on underserved regional markets.

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, typically seating around 100 passengers, allow Scoot to access airports with lower demand or operational constraints, opening new point-to-point routes within Southeast Asia. This marked a significant shift toward a more flexible and granular network strategy, enabling the airline to penetrate secondary and tertiary markets.

At the same time, Scoot has continued to take delivery of additional Airbus A320 family aircraft and Boeing 787 Dreamliners, maintaining a balanced fleet capable of serving both regional and long-haul routes. By 2025, the airline operated a fleet of over 60 aircraft, with ongoing orders and deliveries supporting its expansion strategy. The airline has also progressively improved operational efficiency, with relatively young aircraft averaging around seven years of age by the mid-2020s.

Network expansion has remained a core pillar of Scoot’s strategy. In 2025 and beyond, the airline has announced new routes to destinations such as Vienna, Iloilo City, and multiple cities in Japan and Thailand, including Okinawa, Tokyo Haneda, and Chiang Rai. These additions demonstrate Scoot’s dual focus on leisure travel and regional connectivity, particularly in high-growth markets across Asia. The use of different aircraft types—Embraer E190-E2 for regional routes, Airbus A320 family for medium-haul, and Boeing 787 for long-haul—allows the airline to optimise capacity and cost structures across diverse route profiles.

Looking toward the future, Scoot’s strategic plans centre on continued fleet expansion and network growth, particularly within Southeast Asia and nearby regions. The airline expects to receive between 14 and 16 new aircraft in 2025 alone, including Airbus A320 family aircraft, Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and additional Embraer E190-E2 jets. These deliveries are expected to enable the launch of four to six new destinations, further increasing capacity and strengthening Scoot’s position as a leading low-cost carrier in the region. 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. Its future route strategy is likely to prioritise high-growth tourism markets, emerging secondary cities, and underserved routes where low-cost operations can stimulate demand. 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.