Singapore Airlines released a statement this morning announcing that it will be outsourcing its reservations call centre functions in Australia, New Zealand, United States and Canada beginning later this year.

This decision came after much consideration of the airline’s objective to improve productivity and efficiency. Cost-effectiveness was seen as the primary reason for the airline to make this move and the service for all these regions will be increased to 24/7 coverage. The toll free reservations number 131 011 will be retained.

In Australia, this outsourcing will result in the closure of the Perth and Sydney Reservation offices. To replace these offices, a new Sydney-based South West Pacific Service Centre will be created.

There will also be staff changes to cater for these modifications and the some staff will be retained in the restructured unit. All those who have not been offered positions within the company will be offered assistance in finding alternative employment and, if not successful, a retrenchment scheme will be put in place.

Singapore Airlines maintains the line that “initiative is expected to generate cost savings… ensuring the Airline remains cost-efficient in a globally competitive market.”