For people's interest, SQ has just announced details of how passengers can get on the first A380 flight... announcement follows:


Singapore, 25 July 2007

BE A PART OF HISTORY: BID TO BE FIRST TO FLY ON THE A380
FIRST A380 FLIGHT TO BE SOLD FOR CHARITY


Singapore Airlines – the first airline in the world to fly the new Airbus A380 – is preparing for the first commercial flight of the new double-decker jumbo jet, from Singapore to Sydney and return. It will take place in the month of October 2007.

And in an unprecedented move, all proceeds from the sale of tickets on the first flight will be donated to charities.

In response to requests from people all over the world to be passengers on the first flight, Singapore Airlines will auction the seats on global online marketplace, eBay.

Bids will be invited for seats on this history-making flight, and winning bidders will know that every dollar they pay will go to worthwhile charities. All customers will receive a personalised ceremonial certificate confirming they were part of the first-ever commercial A380 flight.

Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer, Chew Choon Seng, said the Airline wants to acknowledge the widespread interest in the entry into commercial service of this all-new airplane, and to use the opportunity to benefit worthwhile charities.

“The first commercial A380 flight will be a moment in aviation history. It will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, on an aircraft that will mark a new chapter in air travel.

“And while we will celebrate the event, we also wish to remember the people who are less fortunate and can be assisted by the charities to which all the proceeds will go,” Mr Chew said.

Singapore Airlines has secured support from three important partners for this charity event.

One of the Airline’s strategic fuel suppliers, and a key partner, ExxonMobil Aviation, will donate the fuel for the flights.

“We are pleased to support this event as a strategic partner of Singapore Airlines. This charity event is in line with our long-standing effort to make a positive impact on the communities in which we operate,” said Mr Kwa Chong Seng, Chairman and Managing Director of ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd.

eBay – the world’s leading online marketplace will subsidise the fees and charges from this auction, and PayPal, a global leader in online payment solutions, will rebate a portion of its fees and charges to help support the charities.

“eBay is uniquely positioned as a global online marketplace to provide boundless opportunity for fund-raising and social responsibility programs and we are delighted to support Singapore Airlines in this very unique charity auction,” said Sam McDonagh, Director for eBay Southeast Asia.

The actual date of the flight will be fixed soon, after final notification from Airbus about the delivery date this coming October.

The proceeds of the auction will be split evenly between the following exceptionally worthwhile organisations:

· One-third to Singapore’s Community Chest
· One-third split between the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, both in Sydney
· One-third to Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as Doctors Without Borders.

Singapore Airlines and eBay plan for the auction to be conducted some weeks prior to the flight. Those interested in pre-registering for notification on auction details – which will include the date of the flight and the charities to benefit from proceeds – may do so by visiting singaporeair.com/a380.



A380 FIRST FLIGHT CHARITY AUCTION:
ABOUT THE BENEFICIARIES

Singapore

COMMUNITY CHEST OF SINGAPORE

Community Chest was founded in 1983 to raise funds for the nation's many social service organisations, relieving them of the burden of fund-raising so they can focus on their primary responsibility of caring for and serving the needy. With the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations, today Community Chest funds 147 social service programmes run by 57 charities to help over 340,000 people in Singapore. All funds raised will go towards nurturing children to succeed, keeping families together, dignifying the lives of the elderly as well as empowering people with disabilities to lead independent lives.

Singapore Airlines has been a supporter of Community Chest for over two decades.

www.communitychest.org.sg

Sydney

SYDNEY CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL, RANDWICK

Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick is one of Australia's leading specialist medical centres for children. They provide quality, comprehensive and expert clinical services to the children and families of New South Wales and beyond.
www.sch.edu.au

THE CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL AT WESTMEAD

The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is the highly respected, largest paediatric centre in NSW, providing excellent care for children from NSW, Australia and across the Pacific Rim. The Hospital has 3,000 staff working in 150 departments.
www.chw.edu.au


Global Humanitarian Organisation

MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an independent medical-humanitarian organisation, delivering emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics and natural as well as man-made disasters in over 70 countries.

MSF is an international movement with branches in 18 countries. MSF teams in the field are composed of international and national staff and each year over 3000 volunteers work alongside more than 25,000 locally hired staff to provide urgent medical care to vulnerable populations.

In emergencies and their aftermath, MSF provides essential healthcare, rehabilitates and runs hospitals and clinics, performs surgery, responds to epidemics, carries out vaccination campaigns, operates feeding centres for malnourished children, and offers mental healthcare. When needed, MSF also constructs wells and dispenses clean drinking water, and provides shelter materials like blankets and plastic sheeting.

MSF was founded in 1971, with the aim of cutting through red tape to deliver humanitarian aid fast and effectively. The organisation focuses on delivering emergency care and also on speaking out, using volunteers’ eyewitness accounts and medical data, when witnessing massive acts of violence against individuals and groups.

MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

www.msf.org