Apr 01, 2019: The first of Singapore Airlines' three evening flights between South Africa and Singapore took off to the skies from O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg on March 31.

With demand growing for connectivity to Singapore's Changi Airport as a gateway to Asia, Singapore Airlines now provides 10 flights a week from Singapore to Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Singapore Airlines has been operating to South Africa for 27 years and currently operates daily day time flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Bongiwe Pityi-Vokwana, GM, O.R Tambo International Airport, stated, "We have a long-standing and strong relationship with Singapore Airlines. We see the airline as a key partner providing Asian passengers access to the African continent and opening up a world of opportunities for African passengers travelling to the Asia-Pacific region."

Singapore Airlines has continuously invested in South Africa over the past 27 years and currently operates its new Airbus A350-900 aircraft on flights between South Africa and Singapore to meet growing travel and cargo demand.

"The South African government sees Southeast Asia as a strategic trade partner and we believe that the additional three evening flights from our award-winning O.R Tambo International Airport will bolster trade relations, tourism growth and economic ties between these two regions," says Pityi-Vokwana.

Kian Hwa Chua, Singapore Airlines GM for Central and South Africa, commented, "We have listened to our customers and travel trade partners' requests to increase capacity on this route and offer more opportunities for South Africans to visit Singapore. In addition, we are able to offer more extensive travel options and seamless connectivity through our Singapore hub for customers travelling to destinations in the Asia-Pacific region such as Australia, China, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, and Thailand."

The three additional flights will depart from O.R Tambo on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday evenings. The return flights from Singapore will also depart on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. All flights will be operated on the A350 aircraft offering the latest inflight products and amenities.