Monday, September 21, 2009

SINGAPORE CHANGI AIRPORT WELCOMES KINGFISHER AIRLINES

SINGAPORE, 17 September 2009 – Changi Airport Group today received Kingfisher Airlines at Singapore Changi Airport when flight IT029 from Mumbai landed at Terminal 3 at 0705hrs. A warm welcome was extended to passengers onboard the flight, which included Mr Rajesh Verma, Executive Vice President, Airport Services of Kingfisher Airlines Limited. Kingfisher Airlines is the seventh new airline to commence operations to Changi Airport this year.

Kingfisher Airlines will operate daily flights between Singapore and Mumbai. Flight IT029 departs Mumbai at 2305hrs and arrives in Singapore at 0705hrs. The return flight, IT030, leaves Singapore at 1015hrs, arriving in Mumbai at 1305hrs. These flights increase the number of flights on the Singapore – Mumbai route by 25% to 70 per week, with five airlines, including Kingfisher Airlines, plying the route.

The start of Kingfisher Airlines' operations at Changi Airport signals the airline's confidence in the traffic growth potential between Singapore and India. India is Singapore's fourth largest source of tourist arrivals by air. In 2008, there were 2.5 million passenger movements between India and Singapore. Including Kingfisher Airlines, eight passenger airlines now fly between Singapore and 11 cities in India on 308 weekly scheduled flights.

Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of Changi Airport Group, said, "The arrival of Kingfisher Airlines at Changi Airport further enhances the already strong air links between India and Singapore. With many exciting tourism events coming up, such as the annual Formula One Grand Prix, next year's Youth Olympic Games and the opening of the two integrated resorts at Marina Bay and Sentosa, Singapore looks forward to an increasing number of visitors from India, which will provide carriers like Kingfisher Airlines with tremendous growth opportunities."

Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman and CEO, Kingfisher Airlines Limited, said, "I am delighted that Kingfisher Airlines will now be flying to Singapore and offer daily direct flights to Mumbai. With the award-winning Kingfisher Experience and the premium five star service, discerning flyers between Singapore and Mumbai will now have the option to fly with India's favourite airline and enjoy our personalised and luxurious hospitality that is aimed at bringing back the element of style in flying. I would like to thank Changi Airport Group for the extremely warm welcome that our inaugural flight and the members of our Leadership Team received today upon arrival at Changi Airport, today."

With the addition of Kingfisher Airlines, Changi Airport is served by 87 scheduled airlines operating more than 4,770 weekly scheduled flights to 197 cities in 60 countries.