Singapore Airlines has today (Jan 20) confirmed it would be the first international airline to operate regularly scheduled international flights from Australia’s capital, Canberra.
The new ‘Capital Express’ route will provide the nation’s capital with two direct international destination options with flight SQ292/291 operating Canberra-Singapore and Canberra-Wellington.
For the first time in the two countries’ histories, Australia and New Zealand’s capital cities will be serviced by non-stop flights four times a week beginning in September 2016, subject to regulatory approval.
“This new service linking Singapore, Canberra and Wellington reflects the close ties between the three countries,” said Singapore Airlines CEO, Goh Choon Phong.
“We are excited about the prospects for our new ‘Capital Express’ route, which we are confident will appeal to leisure, government and corporate travellers.
“We are especially pleased to be bringing more convenient travel options to customers with Canberra’s first regularly scheduled international flights and the first non-stop links between the capitals of Australia and New Zealand.”
Since it was purchased in 1998 the Capital Airport Group has invested more than AUD$2 billion in facilities at Canberra Airport, investments that will have helped it make history on 21 September when it welcomes the first Singapore Airlines flight.
Canberra Airport Chairman, Terry Snow, said the decision by Singapore Airlines to begin operations was justification of the long-term vision that Canberra Airport has had for many years.
“From day one, my family set about creating a world-class gateway for the national capital. As long-term locals committed to the prosperity of the capital region, our campaign to see Canberra become linked directly to the rest of the world has been constant,” he said.
“We have worked closely with the ACT Government and VisitCanberra, and particularly Chief Minister Andrew Barr who over many years has been unwavering in his passion and support for our quest to gain direct international flights.
“I can think of no better partner than Singapore Airlines with its reputation for quality and excellence to be the first to set Canberra Airport on this historic course,” Snow said.
Singapore Airlines’ Alliance partner Virgin Australia will codeshare on flights between Canberra and Singapore, providing Virgin Australia customers with greater access to Singapore, Asia and Europe.
The new Canberra service will add to Singapore Airlines’ already extensive Australian network. The Airline’s Australian network currently includes flights between Singapore and Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Singapore Airlines’ new Wellington services will complement existing services between Singapore and both Auckland and Christchurch, and come in a year in which it celebrates its 40th and 30th anniversaries serving the cities, respectively.