Australian Airlines marks one year in Singapore

Australian Airlines celebrates its first anniversary of flying to Singapore today.

The airline operates daily services from Singapore to three popular holiday destinations: Cairns, Bali and Sabah, its newest destination. From early next month, an eighth service will be added from Singapore - a second flight between Singapore and Sabah.

Australian Airlines Chief Executive Andrea Staines said Singapore was an important market for the full service, all-economy international leisure carrier.

"We started with three services per week between Singapore and Cairns on 21 November 2002. Since then, Singapore has become a second hub for Australian Airlines with non-stop flights departing each day.

"There are three flights to Cairns, three to Bali and one flight to Sabah which will increase to two from 6 December. With just one short transit, Singaporeans can also travel to Sydney or the Gold Coast.

"We know Singaporeans love to travel and Australian Airlines has provided them with some great holiday choices which are all just a short hop away."

Ms Staines said the delivery of a fifth aircraft on the eve of Australian Airlines' first birthday on 27 October 2003 had allowed it to add extra services including a second Singapore-Sabah sector.

"With these extra services we are operating close to 50 flights each week to 11 destinations in six countries.

"One year on we are profitable and growing steadily," she said. "This time next year we expect to take delivery of our sixth Boeing 767 aircraft, adding more services and flying to new destinations.

"Singaporeans have contributed to this success and we thank all customers for their support during our first 12 months and look forward to welcoming them aboard next time they fly with us."

Australian Airlines operates to Singapore, Hong Kong, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Bali, Sabah, Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns and the Gold Coast.