SINGAPORE. Chongqing has become the 14th Chinese city to be connected to Singapore Changi Airport, bringing more Chinese tourist arrivals. SilkAir will operate a non-stop twice weekly service to the Chinese city.
The new connection to Chongqing will further boost air, tourism and trade ties between Singapore and China.
“Within the first half of this year, Changi established new links with four Chinese cities, including Chongqing. China is also one of the fastest-growing segments for Changi in terms of the number of weekly services added. Today, there are 144 services a week between Changi and the various Chinese cities. This is a reflection of the strong economic and trade links between Singapore and China,” said Wong Woon Liong, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Director General.
“China continues to be the number-two source market for Singapore with 75,000 visitor arrivals in April 2004. The introduction of this new route will not only expand Singapore’s air connectivity, it will also strengthen Singapore’s bilateral ties and tourism cooperation with China. We believe this additional route will increase tourism flow outbound between China and Singapore,” said Lim Neo Chian, Deputy Chairman and CEO of the Singapore Tourism Board.
Visitor arrivals from China jumped +17% in April 2004 when compared to the corresponding period in 2002. Since 2002, approximately 8,000 people from Chongqing have visited Singapore each year for tour, business and education.
Singapore Tourism Board has also eased the visa application process for Chongqing visitors by authorising Chongqing Yangtze International Travel Service and Chongqing Overseas Tourist Corp to issue Singapore visas in Chongqing. Previously, Chongqing visitors had to first travel to another city to apply for visa and take flights to Singapore.
Changi’s network has been growing. It now has 71 airlines serving 163 cities in 52 countries.
