Singapore Airlines announces new Chch summer flights

Singapore Airlines will soon be flying its Airbus A380 aircraft into Auckland as part of its new alliance deal with Air NZ. It will also be flying newly retrofitted Boeing 777-200ERs into Christchurch as part of a move to add 5000 extra seats a week.

Singapore Airlines will operate additional flights to New Zealand over summer.

The airline said it will add 18 extra flights from December 1 to January 28 between Singapore and Christchurch to meet summer demand.

During the period, Singapore Airlines will increase its daily service to nine flights a week and all services will use newly retrofitted 777-200ERs, adding close to 5000 seats to Christchurch.

General manager of Singapore Airlines in New Zealand, Edwin Chiang, said Christchurch was an extremely important market for the airline.

"Whilst we have always taken a long-term outlook to serving the South Island, it is particularly exciting for us to lay on 18 additional flights at such a critical time for both business and leisure travel to the South Island," he said.

"Christchurch and the region have much to celebrate and we're delighted to play our part in driving visitors through the Christchurch gateway as well as supporting local businesses with an improved customer offering. This is a positive milestone for Singapore Airlines."

Chief executive of Christchurch International Airport Malcolm Johns said the new services the additional services were timed to bring fans here for the Cricket World Cup, which starts in February.

Singapore Airlines and Air New Zealand are seeking approval for an alliance which aims to increase overall capacity between the two countries by 30 per cent.