Singapore Airlines has announced a raft of major capacity and frequency upgrades to all but one of its Australian ports (except Brisbane) to meet rising demand.
The Aussie upgrades form part of a global expansion as Singapore Airlines looks to return flight frequencies to pre-pandemic levels to multiple cities across the world.
Subject to regulatory approval, the changes will be progressively rolled out from the end of March 2024 and deliver more than 4,700 extra weekly seats between Singapore and Australia compared to 2023.
In Sydney, SQ returns its first class product to all four of its daily flights with the upgauge of SQ241/SQ242 from A350-900 long-haul aircraft to B777-300ERs.
“Since international borders re-opened in November 2021, the demand for travel in premium cabins has been strong,” Singapore Airlines Regional Vice President South West Pacific, Louis Arul said.
“Deploying the 777-300ER aircraft onto SQ241 and SQ242 will see Sydney served daily with two 777-300ER aircraft and two Airbus A380 aircraft, delivering customers the option of either first Class or Singapore Airlines’ iconic Suites on all four daily flights.”
Sydney Flight Schedule from 31 March
Meanwhile, in Melbourne, Singapore Airlines will add a fifth daily service (SQ247/SQ248) from the end of May to be operated by an A350-900 fitted with 253 seats across business, premium economy and economy class.
“Resuming Melbourne’s fifth daily service at the end of May will see Singapore Airlines’ operations to the Victorian capital once again exceed our pre-Covid levels of capacity to the key Australian gateway,” Arul said.
“It will also see Melbourne boast the highest frequency of daily flights to any Australian city, allowing us to meet the ongoing demand for passenger inbound and outbound travel as well as cargo imports and exports from Victoria.”
Melbourne Flight Schedules from 26 May
Marking the first time Singapore Airlines has flown a wide-body aircraft to North Queensland (on a regular schedule), SQ will commence a four-times-weekly service to Cairns using its 303-seat A350-900 aircraft.
The move delivers an extra 442 seats a week from 31 March.
“During the pandemic period of 2020 and 2021, SIA operated a wide-body aircraft to Cairns to support local producers export their produce to the world,” Arul said.
“Deploying the wide-body A350-900 for scheduled passenger services, which features SIA’s medium-haul lie-flat business class seats, is a testament to Cairns’ recovery as a destination and its appeal to international visitors.
“The increase in capacity for both passenger and cargo, will support the local tourism industry as well as local producers and we are excited to see the aircraft land on 31 March 2024.”
Cairns Flight Schedule from 31 March
Ex-Perth, SQ will add a fourth daily service from 31 March, returning pre-pandemic capacity to the Western Australian capital. The carrier will utilise its A350-900 medium-haul aircraft fitted with 40 lie-flat business class seats and 263 ergonomically designed economy class seats on the route.
Singapore Airlines will also upgauge the B787-10 currently operating on SQ223/SQ214 with an A350-900 medium-haul aircraft, from 31 March.
“Perth has always been a key part of our global network and we are excited to return to pre-Covid flight schedules as travel demand to and from Perth continues to be robust,” Arul said.
“We will continue to work with our partners Perth Airport, Tourism Western Australia and other key stakeholders to provide convenient international travel options for Western Australians and promote the State’s many wonderful attractions to overseas travellers to grow the tourism sector.”
Perth Flight Schedule from 31 March
In Adelaide, SQ will add an extra 238 weekly seats by upgauging its SQ279/SQ278 service to its B787-10 aircraft. Significantly, the move will take Singapore Airlines’ South Australian capacity to above pre-COVID levels.
“Travel demand into, and out of, Adelaide continues to remain robust and the decision to change aircraft to deliver more seats underpins our commitment to deploy the right aircraft with the right mix of cabin classes and capacity,” Arul remarked.
“The 787-10 hosts the same cabin product as the A350-900 medium-haul aircraft it is replacing, so customers will be able to continue to enjoy our medium-haul lie-flat business class seats as well as our ergonomically designed economy Class.”
Adelaide Flight Schedule from 31 March
Meanwhile, SQ will return its pre-COVID capacity to the Top End, with the introduction of daily services via SQ251 and SQ252 on a 154-seat Boeing 737-8 from 31 March.
“Darwin is the gateway to globally renowned places like Kakadu, Uluru and the Katherine Gorge,” Arul said.
“Returning to daily operations will add almost 300 seats a week and support the expected increase in visitors to Australia’s Top End during the peak period.”
Darwin Flight Schedule from 31 March
Earlier this year, Singapore Airlines unveiled major capacity increases for all five of Australia’s main airports.
