A NEW chapter will open for Singapore Airlines (SIA) in October, and give a huge boost for charity.

SIA, the first airline in the world to fly the new Airbus A380, will auction off seats on the jumbo jet's first-ever commercial flight for charity.

The exact date of the flight from Singapore to Sydney and back is yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to take place in October after final notification from Airbus regarding the delivery date of the A380.

All proceeds from the sale of tickets on this landmark flight will be donated evenly to three groups of charities.

One-third will be given to Singapore's Community Chest, one-third to be spilt between the Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, and The Children's Hospital at Westmead, both in Sydney, and one-third to be donated to M?decins Sans Fronti?res, also known as Doctors Without Borders.

Singapore Airlines Chief Executive Officer Chew Choon Seng, said: "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."

In response to the requests from people around the world to be on this once-in-a-lifetime flight, Singapore Airlines will auction the seats on the global online marketplace, eBay. All passengers will receive a personalised ceremonial certificate for their participation in this historical journey.

As one of the three key partners for this event, eBay will subsidise the fees and charges from this auction. Paypal, the global leader in online payment solutions, will rebate a portion of its fees and charges. ExxonMobil Aviation, the other key partner, 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.

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.

Photo: Singapore Airlines