AUCKLAND- Singapore Airlines (SQ) is set to enhance its capacity between New Zealand and Singapore in the coming year by increasing the number of seats available for Auckland (AUK) and Christchurch (CHC).
Singapore Airlines and its codeshare partner Air New Zealand operate three daily services connecting Auckland and Singapore. Air New Zealand deploys a Boeing 787-9 for one of these services.
Singapore Airlines New Zealand
Starting from March 31 next year, the second daily Air New Zealand service will switch to a Boeing 777-300ER, resulting in an additional 17,000 seats during the New Zealand winter months.
In October 2024, the two airlines plan to collaborate on four daily flights between Auckland and Singapore. Pending regulatory approval, the new direct service will utilize an Airbus A350-900, offering over 1,700 seats on the route each week.
This expansion will lead to the airline partners collectively surpassing their combined pre-Covid capacity on the route.
The fourth service is scheduled to leave Singapore at 00:25 local time, reaching Auckland at 15:20. The return leg, SQ288, will depart Auckland at 17:15, landing back at Singapore Changi Airport at 22:40.
In addition to the increased flights from Auckland, the partners are planning to introduce a supplementary service to Christchurch, operated by Singapore Airlines, three times a week during the bustling end-of-year travel period, pending regulatory approval.
The airline operates one to two daily flights to Christchurch from Singapore.
Executive Insights
Singapore Airlines General Manager for New Zealand, George Robertson, expressed that the additional services are aimed at meeting the sustained high demand for travel to and from Aotearoa.
“We are pleased to increase our frequency to New Zealand in response to strong demand for travel into and out of the North and South Island since international borders reopened. The investment in deepening our operational footprint across New Zealand also recognizes the importance of our joint venture with valued partner Air New Zealand.”
Earlier this year, Singapore Airlines announced the return of its flagship double-decker Airbus A380 to Auckland. The 471-seat superjumbo will replace the A350-900, adding another 1526 seats per week between Singapore and Auckland.
The A380, being the world’s largest passenger jet, is set to operate as a seasonal service to Auckland from November 22 to March 31, 2024.
This marks the first time Singapore Airlines will fly the A380 to New Zealand since 2020, following the suspension of services due to the impact of Covid-19.
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