Canberra Airport may have a plan to be one of Aus’ key international gateways, but so far it has had a little trouble securing the international services part.
In March last year, Deputy Prime Minister Hon Warren Truss approved a Master Plan to turn the the gateway into ‘the best small airport in the world’.
The proposal set out to build on the city’s assets – a new passenger terminal and fresh hotels – by catering to international airlines.
Initially, Canberra Airport’s bosses are believed to have tried to sway Emirates to fly to the city along with Air New Zealand, which flat out denied any plans to operate to the gateway.
Now an Australian Financial Review (AFR) report suggests Singapore Airlines could be the first airline to fly to the destination.
AFR said the announcement is expected to happen sometime next week when the carrier’s Chief Executive, Goh Choon Phong, descends on the nation’s capital.
However, in a statement to KarryOn, a Singapore Airlines spokesperson denied the rumour, saying the airline “has no new route plans to announce at this stage”.
“We are continuously evaluating new route opportunities to provide additional travel options to our customers and to support the further development of the Singapore hub.”
Singapore Airlines spokesperson
Ah well, looks like it’s back to the drawing board for Canberra Airport or perhaps when Singapore Airlines say ‘no new routes to announce at this stage’ it actually means – wait until next week?
We’ll have to wait and see.
If the airline does go-ahead with the Singapore-Canberra services, it would be the latest in string of recent changes to its local operations designed to boost business.
Last week, the airline confirmed it would send its Premium Economy to Melbourne – the second Australian city to receive the service. Click here for more information.