Is travel slowly returning? It seems so, with Singapore Airlines planning to restart its Manchester Airport to Singapore Changi service.
Singapore Airlines Airbus A350 at Changi Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
Services between Singapore and Manchester will restart on the 16th of July 2021, with the return segment from Manchester starting on the 17th.
Planned operation is as follows:
SQ52 DEPART SIN 01:45 ARRIVE MAN 08:30, Operates Wednesday, Friday, Sunday SQ51 DEPART MAN 11:00 ARRIVE SIN 07:00+1 Operates Monday, Thursday Saturday Commences 16/17th July 2021 Operates three times a week as above Booked Equipment: Airbus A350-900 Data: Manchester Airport
Initially, the flight will operate three times weekly to and from Singapore, with an A350-900 aircraft but it is hoped that in time, this can gradually increase and include the return of the westbound transatlantic connection to Houston, USA.
Singapore Airlines has served Manchester Airport since 1986 – with an interruption due to the pandemic. Manchester was also used to expand the airlines’ service to Houston, Texas in 2016, with A350-900 service following in 2017.
In Quotes
Mr Mohamed Rafi Mar, General Manager, UK and Ireland for Singapore Airlines, commented:
“Manchester and the northwest region have been a key part of our route network for over 30 years, so while it was never our intention to have an enforced break in service as has happened due to the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic, we are delighted to be able to make our return. As restrictions slowly ease, our dedicated Manchester staff are excited to welcome our customers back once more and we look forward to continuing our longstanding and deep connection with the city of Manchester and its surroundings.”
Manchester Airport’s Managing Director, Karen Smart said:
“We are pleased to hear Singapore Airlines will be resuming its direct service from Manchester next month. Singapore Airlines is one of our longest serving airlines and we know its routes have been extremely popular with passengers from across the North over the years, both in terms of leisure and business travel. We look forward to working with our colleagues at Singapore Airlines to make this returning service a success, especially given the destination’s inclusion on the UK Government’s green list. Together, we hope to be able to relaunch the popular Houston service as soon as possible once travel to and from the United States is opened up.”
Resuming normality
It is a welcome sign that Singapore Airlines are preparing to reintroduce routes that were hit hard during the pandemic. For Manchester passenger, it gives a perfect route to South-East Asia and beyond, without having to make a falcon hop in the Gulf.
It is nowhere near the strength of the old service (in terms of frequency or with the tag-on to Houston), but it is a start.
With travel fragile as it is (with no thanks to governments still being cautious), it will provide additional connectivity for those who do not want to travel down to London.
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This is really exciting news! I am hopefully flying out of Manchester next month – not to Singapore unfortunately. It’s great to see the airport opening back up again. It has been through a huge transformation recently, opening up the world to people in the North of England! Cannot wait for travel to resume properly again!