Big boost for Singapore
Air NZ part of plan for more flights through Changi Airport
Air New Zealand and Singapore Airlines will jointly launch a third daily flight between Auckland and Singapore from next year, boosting capacity on the route by up to 40 per cent.
The joint venture partners say they are adding more than 165,000 seats a year between the two cities in response to strong demand from Kiwis travelling north and even stronger demand from tourists heading for New Zealand.
Singapore Airlines will at times use its Airbus A380s, which are undergoing an interior overhaul, including introducing new luxury features in first class suites.
Air New Zealand will use its new configuration 787-9 aircraft, which have more premium economy and business premier seats than its current 787-9 fleet.
“There’s been strong demand across the board but there’s no doubt the premium cabin is strong on this route and we’re meeting this demand,” said Simon Turcotte, Singapore Airlines’ New Zealand general manager.
The additional flight, and a revision of schedules, will shorten connection times and improve links through Changi Airport in Singapore.
The new service will operate daily during the peak northern winter season from October 28 next year to March 30, 2019, and five times a week during the northern summer season (March 31, 2019 to October 26).
During peak months the airlines will jointly operate a total of 35 return services a week between Singapore and New Zealand, including daily Christchurch flights and four Wellington services a week.
Singapore will operate a mix of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs, depending on the season. The airline last month unveiled a $1.2 billion upgrade of its A380s which feature suites that can have a double bed.
Auckland Airport’s general manager of aeronautical commercial, Scott Tasker, said the new services could inject $136.6 million a year into the New Zealand economy.
Air New Zealand chief strategy, networks and alliances officer, Nick Judd, said the new service and revised schedules would be especially appealing to travellers to and from Europe, India and southeast Asia.
Changi had been named the best airport in Skytrax surveys for the past five years.
Connection times through the airport, which has been undergoing a massive expansion, would now be cut to three hours or less.
Changi has been facing intense competition from Middle Eastern