SilkAir to start new service to India

Subject to regulatory approvals, SilkAir will offer daily flights between Singapore and Bangalore, the capital city of the state of Karnataka, from 17 May 2010, and daily flights between Singapore and Chennai, the capital city of the state of Tamil Nadu, from 14 June 2010. The flights will be operated by SilkAir's Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft. (Details of the flight schedules are shown in the attachment.)

The introduction of these new services will complement Singapore Airlines' existing daily flights to both cities. In total, the SIA Group of airlines will be offering two daily flights to Bangalore and Chennai respectively.
The third most populous city in India, Bangalore is known as the 'Silicon Valley of India', being home to numerous software companies. One of Asia's fastest growing cities, Bangalore's other thriving industries include manufacturing and electronics.

Chennai, formerly known as Madras, has a diverse economic base anchored by the automobile, technology, hardware manufacturing and healthcare industries. It is also a city deeply steeped in traditional Tamil Hindu culture, and serves as a major centre for music, art and culture.

The two cities' buoyant economic growth offers favourable prospects for business traffic and commercial cargo on SilkAir's services, in addition to having great potential for attracting tourism and leisure traffic, with its many sights including World Heritage sites and historical and cultural attractions.

"SilkAir is very excited to introduce services to these two cities in India. We see good prospects for growth in air traffic to and from India, and are pleased to strengthen our presence in India with the addition of these two new points," said SilkAir's Chief Executive, Mr Chin Yau Seng.

SilkAir began operations to India in June 1999 and has steadily built up its Indian network over the years. With the addition of Bangalore and Chennai, SilkAir will fly to six points in the country. The other Indian destinations include Kochi (daily services), Hyderabad (daily services), Thiruvananthapuram (three times weekly services) and Coimbatore (three times weekly services).

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