25 Year Anniversary For Airport And Singapore Airlines

Media release for immediate use

Singapore Airlines And Christchurch Airport Celebrate 25 Year Anniversary

Today marks 25 years of Singapore Airlines flying direct to Christchurch International Airport – a connection worth hundreds of millions of dollars locally and nationally.

The airline is celebrating the 25 year anniversary by permanently increasing daily services to Christchurch, a move welcomed by Christchurch Airport CEO, Jim Boult.

“This is very good news because the increase in flights means more than 1,995 tourists have direct access to the South Island every week,” says Mr Boult. “This is significant and exciting for Christchurch, the gateway to the South Island.

“Singapore Airlines has opened up the world for many South Island travellers and offered them an introduction to Asia and beyond. Conversely, the flights into Christchurch delight the airline’s travellers. We know most international travellers book a trip to New Zealand expecting to see stunning scenery, so flying into Christchurch over the Southern Alps and Canterbury Plains immediately meets that expectation”

Christchurch Airport General Manager of Aeronautical Business Development, Matthew Findlay, says the 25-year relationship is highly valued by the airport.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the relationship between Christchurch Airport and Singapore Airlines,” says Mr Findlay. “We appreciate the loyalty and investment the airline has shown here and acknowledge Singapore Airlines’ stated intention to support the rebuilding of the city.

“New Zealand’s number one industry is tourism and well over half New Zealand’s international visitors fly directly into Christchurch. We know visitors consistently spend more time and more money in the South Island, so having Singapore Airlines bring more visitors directly here daily is good for us all.”

Jim Boult says Singapore Airlines flights also provide global connectivity for high value freight – another benefit for the local economy.

“The relationship with Singapore Airlines is worth more than $100 million to the New Zealand economy. It is important the Christchurch connection delivers that – especially at a time when we are re-shaping the future,” he says.

General Manager of Singapore Airlines New Zealand, James Lim, says when Singapore Airlines started flying between Christchurch and Singapore in 1986, the airline was proud to be the first international carrier to offer services out of Christchurch.

“Since then, we have brought more than a million passengers to the beautiful South Island and carried a similar number of people from Christchurch to Singapore and beyond,” says Mr Lim. “We are extremely proud of our long association with Christchurch.

“People know when they fly Singapore Airlines they will have an exciting journey at exceptional value. We take pride in offering a world-class on-board experience, with a strong commitment to service excellence, fleet renewal and product innovation for the comfort and convenience of our customers. We look forward to our next 25 years of service to Christchurch.”

ENDS

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