Singapore Airlines on Tuesday said it was looking forward to welcoming more travellers from Guwahati, who can tap Changi Airport’s extensive network to destinations in Asia such as Australia, China, Indonesia and Japan.

Changi Airport in Singapore has announced the launch of its 16th city link to India with the introduction of a new non-stop service between Guwahati and Singapore, operated by Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines.

This new route marks the first direct connection between the Northeast and Singapore.

From September 29, Drukair has commenced two weekly flights from Guwahati to Singapore.

The introduction of this new service is expected to reduce travel time from almost 10 hours, including transfers, to four and a half hours.

Lim Ching Kiat, the managing director of Air Hub Development, Changi Airport Group, said in a statement on Tuesday, “We are pleased to launch the first non-stop service between Northeast India and Singapore with our valued partner Drukair. India is the third largest tourism source market for Singapore and one of

Changi Airport’s key growth markets. This new route enhances connectivity between Singapore and India, bringing the city links to 16. We look

forward to welcoming more travellers from Guwahati, who can tap Changi Airport’s extensive network to destinations in Asia such as Australia, China, Indonesia and Japan.”

He said the new link is expected to strengthen not only cultural and socio-political ties between the countries but also facilitate opportunities to enhance travel and trade practices.

India is Changi’s sixth largest market, registering more than 4.5 million passenger movements in the past 12 months, growing at 14 per cent year-on-year.

Last month, IndiGo launched daily services from Calcutta and Tiruchirapalli, operating the airline’s first services from the two cities to Singapore.

Air India Express will also launch additional four-times-a-week services from Bangalore, starting from October 29.

With these additional services, Changi Airport will be connected to 16 cities in India by some 280 weekly one-way services.

An official from Druk Air said the response from agents is also very good in the market, and there is some excitement towards this route in the NE region.

“To keep the awareness alive, we are actively advertising through our social media, promotion/announcement through website, newspaper and billboard advertsisements in Guwahati, and promotional airfares till end of the year,” the official said.