Changi Airport welcomed AirAsia’s inaugural flight to Singapore today (1 February) making it the first airline to join the Changi family this year. AK123, from Kuala Lumpur, arrived at Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 at 1055hrs. Guests onboard the maiden flight, including AirAsia’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Tony Fernandes, were warmly received at a welcome ceremony organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). AirAsia’s commencement of services between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur follows the agreement between Singapore and Malaysia in November last year to open up the route to low-cost carriers from both countries.

AirAsia will operate 28 weekly scheduled flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia’s twice daily flights will arrive in Singapore at 1055hrs and 2055hrs and depart for Kuala Lumpur at 1130hrs and 2140hrs. Besides AirAsia, Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia also commenced operations on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur sector today. This brings the total weekly scheduled passenger flights between the two cities to 254.

CAAS’ Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Lim Kim Choon said, “The launch of AirAsia’s services comes at an opportune time when passenger traffic between Malaysia and Singapore is strong, with close to 2.5 million passengers movements carried between the two countries in 2007. This number is set to grow further with the complete liberalisation of the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route in December 2008. I therefore encourage AirAsia to capitalise on this momentum by growing its presence in Singapore. I also look forward to further liberalisation of the Singapore-Malaysia Air Services Agreement which will then pave the way for new services between Singapore and cities in Malaysia.”

With the addition of AirAsia to the Changi family and the commencement of flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, Changi Airport is now served by 82 scheduled airlines, operating 4,390 weekly scheduled flights to 189 cities in 59 countries.