SilkAir, the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, is delighted to announce that it will commence direct flights between Singapore and Cairns, on 30 May 2015, subject to regulatory approvals.

The new services will be operated with SilkAir's latest Boeing 737-800 aircraft, featuring both Business and Economy class cabins. Customers will be provided with a full service experience, meaning that fares include inflight meals, baggage allowance of 40kg and 30kg for Business and Economy class respectively, as well as through check-in for connecting customers to or from another SilkAir or Singapore Airlines point via Singapore.

Cairns will be the airline's second Australian destination after Darwin, which was launched in March 2012. SilkAir plans to operate the Cairns service three times weekly, on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays on a triangular routing. The inaugural flight and subsequent Saturday flights will depart Singapore for Cairns non-stop and then return to Singapore via Darwin. The Monday and Thursday flights will fly to Cairns via Darwin and then return to Singapore non-stop. The detailed schedules are as follows:

From Singapore:
Flight - Days of Operation - Departure - Arrival
MI822 - Mon, Thu - Singapore 0140hrs - Cairns 1150hrs (via Darwin)
MI828 - Sat - Singapore 0140hrs - Cairns 1020hrs

To Singapore:
Flight - Days of Operation - Departure - Arrival
MI822 - Mon, Thu - Cairns 1240hrs - Singapore 1720hrs
MI828 - Sat - Cairns 1110hrs - Singapore 1720hrs (via Darwin)

With the launch of Cairns, the number of destinations in SilkAir's route network will increase to 49 cities in 12 countries.

Commenting on the new route, SilkAir's Chief Executive, Mr. Leslie Thng, said:

“This is an exciting development for SilkAir. With the introduction of the 737 fleet, we're expanding our regional footprint, allowing us to further improve connectivity between Australia and our key markets in India, China and South-East Asia, in combination with Singapore Airlines' global network. As the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef, Cairns will no doubt prove a popular destination but it also provides us with a strategic opportunity to build on Singapore Airlines' sizeable presence in Australia to deliver more choice and great full-service value.”

Queensland's Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Jann Stuckey, has praised SilkAir for its confidence in Queensland's tourism sector.

“SilkAir's new services into Cairns will bring an estimated 20,000 extra visitors annually into one of Australia's most desirable destinations,” she said.

“The Queensland Government looks forward to working in partnership with SilkAir to deliver international marketing activities over the next three years to support this highly anticipated service.”

Cairns Airport also welcomes the announcement by SilkAir that the airline is to operate flights on the Singapore – Cairns route from May 2015.

Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Brown, said the Singapore service will provide an enormous boost to the region's tourism industry.

“Connectivity between Singapore and Cairns will make it even easier for international visitors to reach our holiday destination,” Mr Brown said. “This route will provide vital links through to Cairns from Asia and Europe.”

“I am also sure many people living in our region will welcome the service as a convenient option for travel to Singapore and beyond from Cairns.”

Customers are advised to note that the new flights may not be immediately available in computer reservations systems due to the lead-time required in making system updates.

Cairns will be the airline's second Australian destination after Darwin, which was launched in March 2012. The new detailed schedules for Darwin are as follows (all times stated are local):

From Singapore:
Flight - Days of Operation - Departure - Arrival
MI801 - Wed, Fri, Sun - Singapore 0855hrs - Darwin 1500hrs
MI822 - Mon, Thu - Singapore 0140hrs - Darwin 0800hrs
MI828 - Sat - Singapore 0140hrs - Darwin 1325hrs (via Cairns)

To Singapore:
Flight - Days of Operation - Departure - Arrival
MI802 - Wed, Fri, Sun - Darwin 1600hrs - Singapore 1900hrs
MI822 - Mon, Thu - Darwin 0850hrs - Singapore 1720hrs (via Cairns)
MI828 - Sat - Darwin 1415hrs - Singapore 1720hrs

For more information on SilkAir, including its destinations and services, please visit silkair.com.

For further information please contact:

Bryony Duncan-Smith
Singapore Airlines
Mob: 0407 708 470
E: Bryony_DuncanSmith@singaporeair.com.sg

Jemma Lee – Account Director, Liquid Ideas for Singapore Airlines
Tel: 02 9667 4211
Mob: 0438 285 545
E: jemmalee@liquidideas.com.au

Facebook: facebook.com/SilkAir

Twitter: @SilkAir

About SilkAir

As the regional wing of Singapore Airlines, SilkAir operates the Singapore Airlines Group's narrowbody fleet and extends the Group network by seeding and developing new, exciting destinations in the Asia Pacific.

The airline took to the skies in February 1989 as Tradewinds the Airline, before evolving into SilkAir in 1992. In its early days, the airline catered to passengers holidaying in exotic destinations in the region, including Phuket and Tioman. As the carrier developed, regional business destinations such as Phnom Penh, Yangon and Kuala Lumpur were added.

Today, the full service airline operates more than 350 weekly flights to 48 destinations in 12 countries. Recent additions to the network include Kalibo, Mandalay and Hangzhou (May/June 2014).

The airline currently has a fleet of 24 Airbus aircraft, comprising 6 A319s and 16 A320s and 2 Boeing 737-800s. The airline currently has a fleet of 25 aircraft, comprising 14 Airbus A320-200s, six Airbus A319-100s and five Boeing B737-800 aircraft.

In August 2012, the airline announced the largest order in its history of up to 68 Boeing 737 aircraft, with firm orders comprising 23 Boeing 737-800s and 31 Boeing 737 MAX 8s.

For more details on SilkAir, visit silkair.com or http://www.facebook.com/SilkAir