Singapore Airlines to fly between Wellington, Canberra and Singapore

Singapore Airlines is introducing a Capital Express route, flying from Wellington to Canberra and then on to Singapore four days per week, using a Boeing 777.

The route will not involve codesharing with Singapore Airlines' Star Alliance partner Air New Zealand, though Virgin Australia will codeshare the flight's Canberra-Singapore leg.

Transport Minister Simon Bridges says the service will have significant benefits for the capital's economy and the tourism sector. It is expected to generate $95 million in visitor expenditure and add about $44 million to the national economy.

Wellington Airport chief executive Steve Sanderson says the service linked Australia's and New Zealand's capital cities "with the most efficient onward connections to Singapore and beyond."

"Travellers will be able to stay on the same widebody plane all the way to Singapore and connect onward to Asia, Europe and other parts of the world from Singapore Airlines' award-winning global hub, Changi Airport," Mr Sanderson says.

Tickets for the new service go on sale in five days with flights beginning on September 20. An economy return flight to Singapore will cost from $1808, while an economy return flight to Canberra will cost from $587.

Singapore Airlines will fly from Wellington at 8:15pm on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, arriving in Canberra at 10.05pm. After refuelling, the plane will continue from Canberra to Singapore at 11:30 pm, landing in Singapore at 5:50am.

On the return journey, a plane will leave Singapore at 11pm on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, stop over in Canberra at 8:35am the following day, and arrive in Wellington at 3.05pm.

(BusinessDesk)