Singapore Airlines launches A350 service to Cairns

Singapore Airlines has launched a new aircraft in the Tropical North worth $26.5m, bringing more passengers in and leaving with more of the Far North’s best produce.

Singapore Airlines has launched its brand new A350 service to Cairns. Photo: Supplied

Singapore Airlines has launched a new aircraft in the Tropical North worth $26.5m, bringing more passengers in and leaving with more of the Far North’s best produce.

For the first time since Singapore Airlines commenced operations to the region, the Airlines’ Airbus A350-900 medium haul aircraft has touched down in Cairns, upsizing the aircraft on the Singapore-Cairns route.

The arrival coincided with the Cairns Chamber of Commerce business lunch with guest speaker Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker providing an update on the state of play in aviation and freight.

Singapore Airlines regional vice president South West Pacific Louis Arul said the upgrade was driven by the confidence the airline had in the region.

Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker and Singapore Airlines regional vice president Louis Arul cut a cake to celebrate the launch of Singapore Airlines A350 Service. (Left) Barron River MP Craig Crawford and (right) TTNQ Deputy Chair Wayne Reynolds. Picture: Dylan Nicholson

“The introduction of the Airbus A350 is a significant investment in the future of this direct major tourism and cargo route, reflecting our confidence in North Queensland’s tourism and trade market,” he said.

The route will now carry more passengers into Cairns as well as more freight out.

“The new service builds on the almost 10-year history of the SIA Group in Cairns,” Mr Arul said.

“We are delighted to deliver around 23,000 extra seats as well as 80,000kg of freight, 10 times the cargo capacity per week.”

The widebody operation will fly four days a week on the route, also allowing travellers from Cairns to access connections from Singapore through to Europe and the rest of Asia.

Mr Barker welcomed the new services and increased passenger and cargo capacity for Tropical North Queensland.

“For more than 610,000 international visitors expected this year, including 80,000 travelling via Singapore, Cairns Airport is the gateway to world-class natural attractions, unique cultural experiences and countless tourism opportunities across Tropical North Queensland,” he said.

“This is an aircraft they could choose to fly anywhere in the world and they have chosen to deploy that aircraft to Cairns, it's a really big vote of confidence in our region.

“We’ve skipped other big cities to get this aircraft,” he said.

A young passenger arrives in Cairns on board Singapore Airlines new A350 service. Photo: Supplied

Tourism Tropical North Queensland CEO Mark Olsen welcomed the arrival, which would bring a $26.5m boost to the region’s economy.

“The more than 8300 business class seats a year on the Singapore Airlines flights to Cairns

will attract high-value travellers including the all-important business events sector which

brings even stronger economic benefits to the destination,” he said.

“There is strong interest in this route from European travellers who have been constrained

by seat capacity, which has now increased by 50 per cent.”

Passengers connecting through Singapore from England with Singapore Airlines land in Cairns. Photo: Supplied

Key to the freight route’s success will be the appetite for fresh Far North seafood in Asia — particularly coral trout — brought to market quicker than if freighted to Brisbane before flying out.

“Singapore Airlines are a world class logistics partner which means our exporters can get fresh produce to market quicker and get better value,” Mr Barker said.

“The market for seafood in China, Vietnam, Thailand is quite huge,” Mr Arul said.

Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill said the arrival was a massive opportunity for Cairns.

“This is about produce but also product, if you can produce something that can be sold elsewhere start looking at your export opportunities,” she said.

“Start thinking how you can get export ready.

“The business seats will also bring high level negotiators, partners and investors into the region.”

Originally published as Singapore Airlines launches A350 service to Cairns