Changi Airport is poised to handle the fast growing passenger traffic between Singapore and India this year, as…
Changi Airport is poised to handle the fast growing passenger traffic between Singapore and India this year, as it further enhances its connectivity to India with a new airline, Air Sahara. The airline`s maiden flight from New Delhi touched down in Singapore around 0630 hours (local time) today.
Air Sahara`s entry into the Singapore-India market occurs at a most opportune time, given the fast growing traffic between our two countries, commented Mr Wong Woon Liong, director-general of Civil Aviation, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). He added In 2004, traffic between Singapore and India grew by 21% as compared to the pre-SARS level in 2002. For the Singapore-Delhi sector alone, traffic grew by some 23% in 2004, as compared to 2002.
The privately-owned Air Sahara joins five others at Changi Airport plying the Singapore-India routes, namely Indian Airlines, Air India, Jet Airways, Singapore Airlines and Silkair. Together, they operate more than 220 weekly passenger flights between Singapore and 11 cities in India. With Air Sahara, Changi`s network boasts a record of 80 airlines that connect Singapore to some 175 cities in 55 countries via more than 3,900 weekly flights.
Singapore is Air Sahara`s first international destination outside South Asia. The airline currently operates to 24 other destinations across India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
A ceremony was held to welcome Air Sahara`s President, Mr Rono Joy Dutta, and his delegation onboard the maiden flight. They were warmly received by Mr Wong and other airport officials.
Air Sahara will operate 14 weekly flights between New Delhi and Singapore. Air Sahara departs New Delhi daily at 22.30 hours and arrives at Singapore at 06.30 hours the following day. Its return flight to New Delhi departs Singapore at 09.00 hours, landing at 12.00 hours the same day.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
