Singapore Airlines announced a ‘huge increase’ to local operations from March 2024
One of Cairns Airport’s most successful international airlines announced a “huge increase” to local operations in a historic move labelled “a testament to the region’s recovery”.
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One of Cairns Airport’s most successful international airlines announced a “huge increase” to local operations in a historic move labelled “a testament to the region’s recovery”.
Singapore Airlines officials confirmed on Monday the Airbus A350-900 widebody aircraft would be deployed between Cairns and Singapore four times per week from March 2024, for the first time ever.
This change is set to inject thousands of additional seats annually into the Cairns market, with more than 50 per cent extra available seats per flight compared to the current, smaller Boeing 737-8 services.
Singapore Airlines’ current capacity sits at 1540 seats per week to and from Cairns.
This will increase to 2424 seats per week from March 31, 2024, in time for Easter travel.
Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker said the additional seats would come at an ideal time and further bolster the post-pandemic recovery.
“These upgraded flights are a win for both travellers and local industries, who will benefit from the increase of visitors to our region,” Mr Barker said.
“Singapore Airlines has an extensive global network and since returning to Cairns in early 2022 has been very popular with inbound visitors but also Cairns locals travelling overseas on holidays or to visit friends and relatives.
“The larger aircraft boasts 40 business class seats and 263 in economy, meaning we have a great opportunity to attract high-spending visitors to our region, either travelling for leisure or for business events such as those hosted by the Cairns Convention Centre.”
Singapore Airlines Regional vice president South West Pacific Louis Arul said the deployment of the Airbus A350- 900 would signify a historic moment in the airline’s operations to Cairns.
“The A350-900 aircraft’s arrival on March 31 marks the first time a 303-seater SIA wide-body aircraft will operate a scheduled passenger flight on the Singapore-Cairns route,” Mr Arul said.
“Over the course of 2021, SIA supported local producers through the Government’s IFAM (International Freight Assistance Mechanism) program, deploying the A350-900 on cargo missions only.
“Deploying the widebody, 303-seat A350-900 for passenger services in 2024 is a testament to Cairns’ recovery as a destination and its appeal to international visitors. The increase in capacity, for both passengers and cargo, will support the local tourism industry as well as local producers and I am excited to see the aircraft land on 31 March.”
Assistant Minister for Tourism and Member for Cairns Michael Healy welcomed the additional seats coming into Cairns as another sign of the rebounding visitor economy for the Tropical North Queensland region.
“Getting more services back running from our Asian neighbours is a real boost for the state’s tourism operators,” Mr Healy said.
“With these additional seats even more arriving passengers will be snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef, walking through one of the world’s oldest and most picturesque rainforests and tasting some of Queensland’s finest tropical cuisine.”
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