KEMPTON PARK, South Africa, 2019-Apr-02 — /Travel PR News/ — The first of Singapore Airlines’ three evening flights between South Africa and Singapore took to the skies from O. R. Tambo International Airport last night (31 March)
With demand growing for connectivity to Singapore’s Changi Airport as a gateway to Asia, Singapore Airlines now provides 10 flights a week from Singapore to Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Singapore Airlines has been operating to South Africa for 27 years and currently operates daily daytime flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town to Singapore.
Says Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana, General Manager of O.R Tambo International Airport: “We have a long-standing and strong relationship with Singapore Airlines. We see the airline as a key partner providing Asian passengers access to the African continent and opening up a world of opportunities for African passengers travelling to the Asia Pacific region.”
Singapore Airlines has continuously invested in South Africa over the past 27 years and currently operates its new Airbus A350-900 aircraft on flights between South Africa and Singapore to meet growing travel and cargo demand.
“The South African government sees Southeast Asia as a strategic trade partner and we believe that the additional three evening flights from our award-winning O.R Tambo International Airport will bolster trade relations, tourism growth and economic ties,” says Pityi-Vokwana.
Says, Kian Hwa Chua, Singapore Airlines General Manager for Central and South Africa: “Singapore Airlines has maintained its commitment to the South Africa route for nearly three decades now. We are delighted that increasing travel demand and growing trade links have enabled us to further expand our service.
“We have listened to our customers and travel trade partners’ requests to increase capacity on this route and offer more opportunities for South Africans to visit Singapore. In addition, we are able to offer more extensive travel options and seamless connectivity through our Singapore hub for customers travelling to destinations in the Asia-Pacific region such as Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand and Thailand.”
The three additional flights (coded SQ481) will depart from O.R Tambo International Airport on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings at 10.30pm and arrive at the award-winning Changi Airport at 2.55pm local time. The return flights from Singapore (coded SQ482) will also depart on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays in the afternoon at 4.35pm local time and arrive in Johannesburg in the evening at 9.10pm local time. All flights will be operated on the Airbus 350 aircraft offering the latest inflight products and amenities with service that even other airlines talk about.
Notes to editors about Airports Company South Africa
Airports Company South Africa is the largest airport operator in Africa. Our mission is to develop and manage world-class airport infrastructure for the benefit of all stakeholders
We manage South Africa’s nine principal airports*. In fulfilling this task, Airports Company South Africa enables more than 80 percent of South Africa’s commercial air travel. Our airports process 40 million arriving and departing passengers a year.
In the 2017/18 financial year, Airports Company South Africa reported total revenue of R6.9-billion. Currently 52% of Airports Company South Africa revenue is derived from regulated tariffs for aircraft landing and parking fees and a passenger service charge. The remaining 48% is non-aeronautical revenue generated by airport retail, parking, property and other services.
Airports Company South Africa’s global footprint extends to technical advisory services and support, airport management, and operating concessions in India, Brazil, Munich, and Ghana.
We also frequently feature among the winners of independently-judged global airport awards. In the 2017 Airports Service Quality awards presented by Airports Council International no less than four of our airports were honoured:
• King Shaka International Airport achieved first place in Best Airport by Region;
• Cape Town International Airport achieved third place in Best Airport by Region;
• Cape Town International Airport was named Best Airport in Africa (over 20 000 air traffic movements) in the Safety Awards; Bram Fischer International Airport achieved first place in Best Airport by Region in the under 2 million passengers category as well as Most
Improved Airport; and
• Upington International Airport joined the 2016 Director’s Roll of Excellence for being ranked in the top five airports for its category, size and region from 2006 to 2015.
For more information please visit www.airports.co.za.
*South African airports we operate are: O. R. Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport, King Shaka International Airport, George Airport, Bram Fischer International Airport, Upington Airport, Kimberley Airport, Port Elizabeth Airport and East London Airport.
Media enquiries:
Nangamso Jacobs, Corporate Affairs Specialist, O. R. Tambo International Airport
Direct: +27 10 207 2120
Cell: +28 84 453 0303
E-mail: nangamso.jacobs@airports.co.za
Source: O. R. Tambo International Airport