Wellington Chamber of Commerce
Media Statement
Wednesday 20th January 2016
Wellington Chamber welcomes air link with Canberra, Singapore

Wellington’s direct air link with Canberra will boost the region’s economy by exposing it to fresh tourism and business opportunities, says Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive John Milford.

“The Singapore Airlines service is significant because it will open up further opportunities by exposing us directly to not only Australia’s capital city and its 390,000 population, but also to Singapore and the rapidly growing populations in Asia.
“Canberra’s population is the highest paid in Australia, while Singapore is a hub with direct access to Asia’s rapidly growing middle class.

“Being the first direct link between New Zealand and Canberra is also significant because it will cut travel times dramatically.

“The Boeing 777 will add a business-class option all the way to Asia and beyond, which is not available now because you have to swap aircraft and terminals in Australia.

“Exporters in central New Zealand will also benefit greatly, having time-critical access to a new part of Australia, as well as to one of the biggest freight hubs in the world, Singapore’s Changi Airport. The aircraft can carry more than 15 tonnes of cargo, compared with the 2 tonnes on existing narrow-body aircraft.

“This service will make travel much easier for people from outside Auckland travelling to Canberra. Instead of transiting in Auckland and again in Sydney or Melbourne, which makes for a long day, a direct flight from Wellington will cut out all that.”

At present, the shortest flight time between New Zealand and Canberra is 6 hours (which includes a 90-minute stopover in Sydney), compared with what will be a direct flight time from Wellington of just on 4 hours.

“It may be that Aucklanders decide flying to Canberra is much faster and easier via Wellington than having to change terminals in Melbourne or Sydney, with the added risk of missing a connection.

“The bonus is that we are talking about the most decorated airline in the world. They won an astonishing array of awards last year alone: more than 70 traveller and magazine awards, including best overall airline in the world for the 25th time in one poll and for the 11th time in another. The list goes on.

“This is the first step in the capital’s relationship with Singapore Airlines and the Chamber is very enthusiastic about it.

“It’s a stepping stone for the future, and could play a part boosting the case for a longer runway. It's bound to be encouraging for people to know that international airlines outside the players we normally see in Wellington are interested in coming here.
“It’s a further example of how Wellington is becoming increasingly important in the minds of airlines, and let’s not forget that airlines help grow tourism and business. The more directly they can take people to a destination, the more attractive the destination becomes.
“Airlines don’t add services without very good reason, so clearly they see strength in the Wellington market and what we have to offer. And the planned Convention Centre and Film Museum will add to the list of attractions we offer.
“This will be the fifth new international service out of the capital in the past 12 months, after Qantas added 72 flights between Brisbane this summer, Jetstar added Melbourne and Coolangatta, and Fiji Airways added Fiji.

“The connectivity portfolio is building. It means businesses considering setting up shop in our business-friendly city have another reason to move here. Another big Australian city just got closer to Wellington.”

Wellington Chamber member Opus International Consultants has welcomed the announcement. Managing Director Dave Prentice says the new route “will further streamline our Trans-Tasman business through more options around travel routes".

ends

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