SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND AIR NEW ZEALAND TO BOOST SINGAPORE-AUCKLAND SERVICES TO THREE DAILY FLIGHTS

Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand today announced they will jointly launch a third daily flight between Singapore and Auckland from 28 October 2018, boosting capacity on the route by up to 40 per cent and adding more than 165,000 seats annually between the two cities.

The additional service, along with a revision of current schedules, will shorten connection times and improve connectivity through the Singapore hub.

The new service will operate daily during the peak Northern Winter season (28 October 2018 – 30 March 2019), and five times per week during the Northern Summer season (31 March 2019 – 26 October 2019). During peak months the airlines will jointly operate a total of 35 return services a week between Singapore and New Zealand, including Christchurch and Wellington flights.

Under their joint venture alliance that took effect in January 2015, the airlines will continue to operate one daily return service each on the Singapore-Auckland route, with a third service operated by Singapore Airlines during the Northern Winter season and Air New Zealand during the Northern Summer season.

Singapore Airlines will operate a mix of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777-300ERs, depending on the season. Air New Zealand will operate its new configuration 787-9 aircraft, offering more Premium Economy and Business Premier seats than its current 787-9 fleet.

Singapore Airlines Senior Vice President Marketing Planning, Mr Tan Kai Ping, said: “Our alliance with Air New Zealand has already benefited customers through more capacity, choice, improved connections and more codeshare destinations. We are proud of the alliance’s three destinations in New Zealand - Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. The new flight to Auckland will increase convenience for our customers and demonstrates our commitment to the New Zealand market.”

Air New Zealand Chief Strategy, Networks and Alliances Officer, Nick Judd, expects the new service and revised schedules to be especially appealing to travellers to and from Europe, India and Southeast Asia.

“Singapore’s Changi Airport has been named Skytrax World’s Best Airport for the past five years and with connection times with European services now three hours or less, this is a very comfortable and convenient transit stop for travellers in both directions.”

The new joint service and revised flight schedules are subject to regulatory approvals.

Tickets for the new Singapore-Auckland service will be made available for sale progressively through the various distribution channels from 8 December 2017.

For further information, please contact:

Singapore Airlines Public Affairs

Tel: (65) 6541-5880 (office hours)

Tel: (65) 9753-2126 (after office hours)

E-mail: public_affairs@singaporeair.com.sg

Air New Zealand Public Affairs

Tel: (64) 21-747-320

E-mail: public_affairs@airnz.co.nz

New Flight Schedule
*Operated by a Boeing 777-300ER between April and October

About Singapore Airlines

The SIA Group’s history dates back to 1947 with the maiden flight of Malayan Airways Limited. The airline was later renamed Malaysian Airways Limited and then Malaysia-Singapore Airlines (MSA). In 1972, MSA split into Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysian Airline System. Initially operating a modest fleet of 10 aircraft to 22 cities in 18 countries, SIA has since grown to be a world-class international airline group.

Singapore Airlines is committed to the constant enhancement of the three main pillars of its brand promise: Service Excellence, Product Leadership and Network Connectivity. The SIA Group fleet and network are also expanding in support of the development of its portfolio strategy, in which it has investments in both full-service and low-cost airline operations. This portfolio of airlines serving short-, medium-, and long-haul markets gives the SIA Group more flexibility and nimbleness, with the right vehicles to serve the right markets.

In 2017, Stockholm became the second Scandinavian city in Singapore Airlines’ route network. During the same year, Singapore Airlines unveiled its new Airbus A380 cabin products. The new Singapore Airlines A380 will be configured with 471 seats in four classes, featuring six Suites and 78 Business Class seats on the upper deck as well as 44 Premium Economy Class seats and 343 Economy Class seats on the main deck.

About Air New Zealand

Air New Zealand is New Zealand’s national airline delivering more than 16 million customer journeys to, from and around New Zealand every year and was recently named AirlineRatings.com Airline of the Year for the fifth consecutive year for 2018.

The airline operates one of the world’s youngest fleets, with more than 100 aircraft ranging in size from the 50 seat Bombardier Q300 to the Boeing 777-300ER. Through its extensive network, the airline connects customers to 21 domestic and 30 international destinations including Asia, Europe, Australia, North and South America, and the Pacific Islands. As a member of the Star Alliance network, Air New Zealand is able to provide access to almost any destination in the world.