QUEENSLAND- Singapore Airlines (SQ) has enhanced its Singapore (SIN)-Cairns (CNS) service, transitioning from four-times-weekly flights on narrowbody aircraft to widebody planes.
The SQ203/204 route, which was previously serviced by 737 MAX 8s, will now be operated by 303-seat A350-900s. The inaugural A350 flight arrived in Cairns during the Easter weekend on March 31st. Each A350-900 deployed on this route features 40 business class and 263 economy seats.
Singapore Airlines A350 to Cairns
The introduction of the Airbus A350 marks a significant commitment to the future of the vital tourism and cargo route, demonstrating our firm belief in the North Queensland tourism and trade sector,” stated Louis Arul, Singapore Airlines’ Regional Vice President for South West Pacific.
This new service further strengthens the nearly decade-long presence of the SIA Group in Cairns. We are thrilled to provide approximately 23,000 additional seats annually, along with nearly 2,500 extra tonnes of cargo capacity to support North Queensland exporters.
Cairns Airport anticipates hosting over 610,000 international visitors this year, with 80,000 expected to travel through Singapore. Richard Barker, the Airport CEO, emphasized that the SIA A350 services will enhance passenger and cargo capacity in the region.
“Singapore Airlines currently serves 13 percent of the international demand for Cairns travelers. The introduction of new services and increased cargo capacity represents a valuable investment in the ongoing expansion of regional tourism,” Barker remarked.
Widebody Aircraft
The introduction of widebody services is set to inject over 8,300 business-class seats annually into Tropical North Queensland, with an anticipated economic boost of $26.5 million to the region.
Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy celebrated the upgrade as a triumph for the state’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund.
“Singapore Airlines’ introduction of the A350 widebody aircraft to Cairns represents a crucial link to our traditional long-haul markets, spanning the US, Europe, and Asia,” he remarked.
“This expanded capacity also presents significant opportunities for our agricultural and aquaculture sectors to access these markets directly. By maximizing the utilization of these flights with fresh produce shipments and passenger traffic, we can ensure the sustainability of this route for the long term.”
As announced last year, the upgrade is part of broader enhancements to SIA’s Australian routes, starting in March. This includes increased capacity to Adelaide, Darwin, Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne in response to the growing demand for international travel via SIA’s hub at Changi Airport.
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