SilkAir continues to expand in northern Australia

Singapore Airlines subsidiary SilkAir is continuing to build its presence in northern Australia, taking its flight to Darwin daily after recently doing the same from Cairns. The daily Singapore-Darwin service kicked off July 6, boosting the number of seats per week seats to the Northern territory capital by 17 percent. Singapore Airlines regional vice president South West Pacific Philip Goh said the airline had seen steadily rising demand from the Northern Territory since introducing four times weekly services in 2012. “This new service will provide Territorians with even greater access to our global network, as well as providing an additional choice for those looking to travel directly to Singapore,”  said Singapore Airlines vice president South-West pacific Philip Goh. “The increase also provides additional options for international visitors looking to travel to the Northern Territory to explore the magnificent wonders of this very special part of the world and reinforces our commitment to Darwin and Northern Australia.” READ: Singapore in $S50m major revamp of Changi T3 lounges. The Northern Territory has experienced a 4.2 percent year-on-year growth in international visitors in the year ending March 2019 and local officials say a daily service makes it easier for tourists to plan their holiday. Daily services are also preferred by business travelers. “The increased capacity provides more options for international visitors to Darwin and the Top End, as well as offering more choice in departure days and times to Territorians traveling to Singapore and beyond,” NT Airports chief executive Ian Kew said. SilkAir's daily flights from Darwin and Cairns are in addition to the 140 services a week offered by parent Singapore Airlines between six Australian cities and its hub at Changi Airport. These include 35 flights a week each to major gateways Sydney and Melbourne, four of which continue on from Melbourne to Wellington in New Zealand. Low-cost subsidiary Scoot also operates  29 flights a week between Singapore and Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Gold Coast.   .