SilkAir flights take off

NICK DALTON SINGAPORE airline SilkAir is to boost its services to Cairns to five a week later this year.

The extra direct flight between Singapore and Cairns is due to start in November.

Cairns Airport chief executive Norris Carter said it would be “an excellent increase in connectivity”.

“SilkAir announced earlier this year they would operate five flights per week for the peak period of July and August,” he said.

“To hear that this level of frequency is going to become part of their year round schedule from November is very good news.

“The Singapore service has gone from strength to strength since it commenced in May 2015 with three return flights per week.

“It attracts European, Chinese, South East Asian and Indian travellers, who make up almost 60 per cent of all international visitors to Cairns.

“It also provides residents of Far North Queensland with the convenience of a direct link to Singapore and beyond, saving them travel time.”

SilkAir Cairns manager Ravindran L said the airline was pleased with the performance of the route.

“We are introducing this additional rotation as a permanent part of the service’s schedule in response to demand,” he said.

“Since we began the service we have seen demand on the Singapore-Cairns route continue to grow as we’ve increased from three to four and soon to five rotations each week.”

Mr L said growth last month was 11.2 per cent more than in May last year.

The fifth flight will provide another 8216 seats a year into Cairns to total more than 40,000 provided by SilkAir.