Qantas, Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced a S$5 million partnership to promote Singapore as a destination and a connecting gateway to Asia, Europe and Australia.
With the return of Qantas’ Sydney-London services via Singapore from 25 March, the three-year tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) will see all parties work together on a series of joint marketing campaigns in Australia, the United Kingdom and Southeast Asia to promote travel on Qantas services via Singapore.
Qantas Group CEO Mr Alan Joyce said the partnership is aimed at boosting the number of people travelling through Singapore from key markets in Australia and the UK.
“Singapore is Qantas’ largest hub outside of Australia, carrying more than 20 per cent of our wide body fleet. It is a cornerstone city in our international network strategy and plays an important role in our ability to respond to the incredible growth we are seeing in travellers from Asia.
“The deal will allow Qantas to better leverage our powerful partner network in the region, which includes three Jetstar branded carriers that connect to our flights through Changi, providing more destinations for more customers.”
From April 2018, Qantas will operate over 50 return services in to and out of Changi Airport each week, making it one of the largest foreign airlines to operate out of the Singapore airport .
STB’s Chief Executive Mr Lionel Yeo said that the partnership presents an opportunity to drive more visitor arrivals to Singapore and raise its profile as a quality destination through joint marketing efforts.
“Australia and the UK have always been important source markets for Singapore, ranking 5th and 12th respectively in 2017. The addition of more Qantas services, especially the return of the iconic Kangaroo Route, is set to draw even more visitors from the two countries.
“This new partnership builds on STB’s approach of cultivating strategic partnerships with airlines and industry partners to promote Singapore, grow visitor arrivals and achieve tourism success.”
In 2017, Changi Airport handled 62.2 million passenger movements, with about 30% of its passengers transiting through the airport. London is Changi’s busiest long haul destination and with Qantas’ new flights, Changi will offer a total of 53 weekly services (about 19,600 one way weekly seats) between Singapore and London. Changi Airport is also the most connected international airport to Australia, both in terms of the number of city links and weekly seats available.
Changi Airport Group Chief Executive Officer Mr Lee Seow Hiang said today’s travellers are increasingly discerning and selective, and this partnership is timely in raising efforts to differentiate Singapore as a seamless stop over point as well as destination.
“Qantas has been flying to Singapore for more than 80 years – it is one of the longest serving airlines to operate at Changi and is a valued airline partner.
“With Jewel Changi Airport set to open in 2019, this new partnership will strengthen efforts to raise awareness of Singapore as a compelling transit point as well as an exciting destination in its own right, which is a win for all.”
