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Friday, December 30, 2011

Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia open up the top end

Singapore Airlines and Virgin Australia announced today the new international and domestic routes between Singapore and Darwin along with the launch of the merged frequent flyer program amidst their recently approved alliance.

Singapore Airlines’ regional full service airline, Silk Air, will begin a service between Singapore and Darwin four times weekly beginning 26 March 2012 with Virgin Australia complementing these services with daily flights between Darwin and Sydney beginning 2 April 2012.

The two airlines will merge their frequent flyer program, enabling KrisFlyer members to earn and redeem frequent flyer points on Virgin Australia’s entire network and vice versa with Velocity members.  For eligible customers, reciprocal lounge access is also available.

 Singapore Airlines Executive Vice President Commercial and SilkAir Chairman, Mr Mak Swee Wah expressed his delight at the addition of Darwin to the network, which provides more travel options for customers as a result of the Virgin Australia alliance.

 “Our partnership enables us to better service this important market, particularly with the introduction of a strong business class product and extensive international connections,” Mr Mak Swee Wah said.

Both airlines spoke of the benefits of the reciprocal frequent flyer program, delivering tangible benefits to customers, with more choice for domestic and international travel combined with seamless service.

“From next week, Virgin Australia customers will be able to enjoy the first benefits of the alliance, with the ability to earn and burn frequent flyer points and status credits on Singapore Airlines’ network of destinations and access 14 lounges around the world. We look forward to bringing our customers further exciting benefits as the alliance develops,” Virgin Australia Group Executive of Alliances, Network & Yield Management Ms McArthur said.

“Darwin is the gateway to the Northern Territory’s popular tourist destinations and is an increasingly important commercial hub. Together with Singapore Airlines we will be able to offer visitors from Singapore, Asia and Europe the opportunity to visit the Northern Territory and then travel on to Sydney and the East Coast of Australia. Our services will also be attractive to business travellers who now have the option of a quality business class service from Sydney to Darwin and on to Singapore and beyond,” Ms McAurthur said.

To accommodate eligible Virgin Australia guests and those of its alliance partners, Virgin Australia also announced that it would open a lounge at Darwin Airport.
Both airlines are expecting to commence codeshare arrangements on each other’s services from early 2012.

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