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Twice-weekly A321neo flights on Tuesdays and Saturdays commenced earlier this month and will run until 26 October, with an additional Thursday service to begin on 25 June. The previous Cairns–Auckland service ended in October last year.
The airline launched its second base at Melbourne Airport on 30 March 2023 and now serves 11 destinations from the city, including seven not served by any other carrier and nine not served by any other low-cost carrier.
The move, unveiled by newly appointed loyalty chief Andrew Glance, comes amid criticism that the current system is difficult to use and points have effectively devalued over the years.
The SQ203/204 service, previously operated by 737 MAX 8s, will now be flown by 303-seat A350-900 aircraft, with the first A350 flight touching down in Cairns over the Easter long weekend on 31 March. Each Singapore A350-900 on the route has 40 business class and 263 economy seats.
Samantha Mostyn was recommended for the role by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the decision was approved by King Charles.
Flight TG481 from Bangkok touched down in Perth shortly before 3:30pm on 31 March on board the 256-seat 787-8 Dreamliner HS-TQE. Thai Airways will operate daily return services, numbered TG483/484 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and TG481/482 on all other days.
