Singapore Changi Airport welcomes the arrival of Russian carrier Vladivostok Air. One of Russia’s most established airlines, Vladivostok Air will operate twice-weekly services between Singapore and Vladivostok via Hong Kong. Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, is the ninth new city link for Changi this year.

With growing trade and tourism ties between Singapore and Russia, the addition of Vladivostok Air to Changi’s network of airlines comes at an opportune time. Since the launch of the Russia-Singapore Business Forum (RSBF)1 in 2006, bilateral trade between the two countries has more than doubled to reach S$5.2 billion2 in 2010.

With several Singapore-based companies already establishing inroads to the Russian Far East, Changi’s new connection to Vladivostok will stimulate further business links between Singapore and Vladivostok as well as the greater Primorsky Krai region – the largest economy in the Russian Far East.

Passenger traffic between Singapore and Russia reached an all-time-high of 65,000 in 2010, representing a 31% growth year-on-year. Singapore also welcomed 55,000 Russian visitors3 in 2010, an increase of 9% compared to 2009. During the first eight months of this year, air traffic movements and visitor arrivals from Russia increased by a further 34% and 5% respectively compared to the same period last year.

Vladivostok Air will operate the A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration on this route. The service will depart Vladivostok International Airport on Tuesday and Friday mornings and arrive in Changi Airport at 1820 hours on the same day. The return flight will depart Changi at 2010 hours and arrive in Vladivostok the following morning.

Vladivostok Air’s new service introduces a new holiday destination for Singapore residents. For Russian Far East travellers, a potential market of 6.5 million, Singapore is not only a destination for tourism, medical and education activities, but an excellent transit point to destinations in Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific.

Mr Yam Kum Weng, Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President for Air Hub Development, said, “With the introduction of world-class tourism offerings in Singapore, we are seeing more Russian visitors twinning Singapore with another Southeast Asian destination to create fun-filled ‘city-plus-beach’ holiday experiences. With its extensive network and flight options to Southeast Asia, Changi Airport is a convenient gateway for Russian travellers to reach many renowned resort destinations such as Bintan, Bali and Phuket.

“Vladivostok Air’s entry into the Singapore market is therefore timely to serve the growing demand of Russian travellers wanting to explore Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia. We look forward to working closely with the airline to sustain and grow this important link between Russia and Singapore.”