Singapore Airlines CEO Salary in 2025

SINGAPORE- World’s largest carrier, Singapore Airlines (SQ) is one of the leading names in aviation not just in Asia, but around the world. The flag carrier of Singapore and a member of the Star Alliance for over two decades has consistently won awards for its exceptional hard and soft products. It’s serviceability and operative structure is truly a benchmark for several of the industry’s key operators.

With a fleet of over 150 passenger aircraft, Singapore Airlines operates to 76 destinations globally, primarily providing travellers with seamless connections in Asia, Europe, Oceania and the west coast of the United States. SQ is majorly held by Temasek Holdings, Singapore’s public investment fund and also owns low-cost carrier Scoot as well as a minority stake in Air India (AI).

At the head of the airline’s complex structure is one of the industry’s most prominence names, Goh Choon Phong. Here is a comprehensive look at who he is and how much his compensation stands at.

Photo: CNBC Video

Who is Singapore Airlines CEO?

Goh Choon Phong was born in July 1963 in Singapore and holds degrees from Hwa Chong Junior College and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. After pursuing a post-graduate course in the United States, he joined Singapore Airlines in lieu of a sponsorship offered to him by the carrier to pursue education overseas, for whom he also held positions in China and Scandinavia.

Over the years, Phong has held a number of high profile roles with Singapore Airlines as well as their former subsidiary SilkAir, including senior vice president positions in communication technology, information technology and marketing departments. Before SilkAir’s merger with Singapore Airlines, he was also the chairman of the regional operator.

Thereafter and largely thanks to his roles within the SIA network, he oversaw the airline’s expansion over the last 15 years. During his time at the carrier, Singapore as a whole, as well as SQ, was impacted severely by the 2007-08 recession as well as the coronavirus pandemic, from which the airline made a strong recovery with Phong publicly receiving plaudits for his work.

He was appointed the CEO of Singapore Airlines effective January 1st, 2011 and has been in the position for the last 14 years. Phong has been the recipient of several high profile awards and recognitions around Asia for his leadership. Besides his roles with SIA Group, the chief has even held a senior position with Virgin Australia, while presently holding directorial seats with Air India, Budget Aviation Holdings and Mastercard.

Photo: Clément Alloing

Singapore Airlines CEO Salary

Singapore Airlines recorded a historic net profit in the 2023-24 financial year worth SG$2.67 billion (approx. US$1.98 billion), which saw many of their employees receive up to eight months of salary in bonuses. The CEO, Goh Choon Phong also pocketed a windfall for the carrier’s exceptional performance. In the last fiscal year, he received SG$8.1 million (approx. US$6 million) – a 20% increase from the previous cycle.

Interestingly, only 18% of the total payout, amounting to SG$1.4 million (approx. US$1 million) was part of the 62-year-old’s basic compensation while SG$2.2 million (approx. US$1.6 million) was earned by him as part of bonuses linked with the airline’s excellent profitability over the past 12 months. Finally, his share holdings were worth SG$4.3 million (approx. US$3.2 million) and additional benefits amounted to SG$148,000 (approx. US$110,000).

In the southeast Asia region, Singapore Airlines’ two main competitors, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways are nowhere as profitable as them. However, in comparison to the carrier’s other well-renowned operators in the region, EVA Air and Cathay Pacific, Goh Choon Phong’s salary is more than five times high, mainly due to the record-breaking year for SQ.

For context, EVA Air’s president earned an estimated US$1.1 million during 2023-24, while Cathay’s CEO was paid US$1.3 million.

Photo: Robin HARDY

Goh Choon Phong’s legacy at SIA Group

Having spent more than 30 years with the Singapore Airlines Group, Goh Choon Phong is one of the industries most seasoned individuals around the Asia Pacific region. One of his earliest and most vital contributions was establishing a respectable brand image for SilkAir, the pioneer of regional flying in the geography during its best years under SIA’s wings.

While at Singapore Airlines as their CEO, Phong has been crucial to the airline’s introduction of a leading premium products across its fleet. The spacious seats on-board the carrier’s Airbus A350s, Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s were important in shaping up the industry with revamps to the fleet, including the addition of doors to convert business class cabins to suites on the cards. Meanwhile, the first class suites on the A380 are an unmatched luxury in the sky.

Singapore Airlines has placed just as much importance on its soft product as its hard product. With cabin crew offering a personalised experience along with regionally specific twists, it is a popular choice for most travellers flying through the APAC region. SQ has made sure of its superlative products extending beyond their airplanes with leading ground experiences and lounges at its hub, Singapore’s Changi Airport, and elsewhere in the world.

At the moment, it is also the go-to choice for passengers travelling to and from Australia and New Zealand thanks to its wide variety and frequency of operations to the region. Scoot, its low-cost subsidiary, also holds a similar reputation and status around southeast Asia, for which Phong has been largely responsible.

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