AFR rumour [confirmed] - SQ to launch SIN-CBR-WLG

[Jousams]

Some Googling reveals you might be right there – very little information though. Can't even confirm the name.

VA status pax don't even get access to the SKL J lounge in SIN, much to the chagrin of many. Although we do at outstations.

VA lounge members don't get any access outside of VA and NZ lounges I believe.

Sorry I meant VA 'The Club' members.

And yes, I agree, I hate the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge too, it's hot and gro

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Sorry I meant VA 'The Club' members.

And yes, I agree, I hate the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge too, it's hot and gro

Ah yes, good question! It's possible The Club members do get access to SQ F lounges, as otherwise those same pax would probably use QF's network where I assume they get F lounge access.

 

[emirates777]

Fantastic news and a long time coming. With a catchment area of approx 600K, hopefully the Canberra community and surrounding areas support this new service. If SQ price this service correctly, this could also become a viable option to people living in western Sydney (only 2hrs drive from Canberra).

I can see this also being quiet popular with the freight. As there is a lot of fresh produce that gets grown around Canberra that could ultimately end up on the dinner plate of Singaporeans.

 

[eastwest101]

Fantastic news and a long time coming. With a catchment area of approx 600K, hopefully the Canberra community and surrounding areas support this new service. If SQ price this service correctly, this could also become a viable option to people living in western Sydney (only 2hrs drive from Canberra).

I can see this also being quiet popular with the freight. As there is a lot of fresh produce that gets grown around Canberra that could ultimately end up on the dinner plate of Singaporeans.

And also a very convenient flight to NZ for CBR residents if they don't mind going to WLG.

Even if its only the regional A330 product it makes sense for people in Canberra to get to SIN and connections beyond via SIN. If the timing and price is right it poops all over the alternative of a domestic trip to SYD/MEL and terminal transfer and then flying to SIN (or Europe via a Middle East hub).

 

[kermatu]

Wellington is an interesting (but I think good) choice. If priced well (as it should be as I'm sure SQ are getting some sweeteners) this service to SIN should have very high take-up. Eliminating the need to transfer to MEL/SYD/ADL/BNE (or drive to Sydney) will be very attractive for travel to Europe in particular.

 

[Himeno]

I wonder which lounge J pax will use? The whole airport is essentially brand new, so someone's going to have to build a new one on the international side.

It depends what the actual final layout of the international area is. The international section of CBR is set aside, but not fitted out pending announcement of services.
From the current layout and where the boarded up areas are, it appears that the international section will be between the current lounges and above the existing domestic security checkpoint. Arrivals would drop down between the VA and QF domestic baggage claim and exit immigration right in front of the taxis.
Given the space, I don't think lounges would be an option, unless they had it set up to check in for the international flights at the current desks, go through domestic screening into the concourse, access the lounges/concourse seats, then around 40-50 minutes before departure, go though immigration/international security between the current lounges, before dropping back down into the airbridges. There is no separate gates for international. All the gates are set up as possible "swing" gates that can change between domestic and international.

 

[Jousams]

Maybe it's finally happening because either mal or Lucy are KF Gold members.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Maybe it's finally happening because either mal or Lucy are KF Gold members.

Love your thinking there!

 

[ABC1]

Only the aerobridges at either end can take an A330/767/787/777.. as aircraft any bigger would impact on the taxiway. So as mentioned I'll be at the boarded up area down the VA end. And I'll assume VA will do the ground handling. You can see the gate here: Webcam | Canberra Airport

 

[vertisol]

Some random thoughts:

The trick will be in the pricing (though I guess they won't want to gouge their ex Sydney product too much) and the arrival/ departure times. If they are doing SQ - CBR - WLG - CBR - SQ that points to an early arrival into Canberra and a late afternoon departure which would suit a long weekend.

Not to over generalise but there's a good proportion of young gov't workers on decent coin who would consider a long weekend in SIN I imagine or even WLG here in Canberra.

OS travel for public servants has been somewhat curtailed but I can imagine telling the QF biased flyers that they will have to fly SQ might be tough. It might be a smart move by SQ to status match for CBR residents to attract people over, even if the CBR lounge is just the DJ Dom product the return SQ lounge might sway some.

 

[moa999]

Given the space, I don't think lounges would be an option, unless they had it set up to check in for the international flights at the current desks, go through domestic screening into the concourse, access the lounges/concourse seats, then around 40-50 minutes before departure, go though immigration/international security between the current lounges, before dropping back down into the airbridges. There is no separate gates for international. All the gates are set up as possible "swing" gates that can change between domestic and international.

What we don't know is how much spare space is on that upper level and if there is room for an Intl lounge.

I think very clearly check-in desks will be the same, through Dom security, up the Virgin escalator and then thru immi and additional security on that upper level (maybe with room for lounge/seating) then descending to presumably Gate4 (if that's the only 330 gate) - albeit that potentially makes it difficult for ATR operations.

 

[vertisol]

What we don't know is how much spare space is on that upper level and if there is room for an Intl lounge.

.

I can't imagine they haven't got a masterplan for Int'l lounges etc given they have just done the upgrades. I suspect they will be all over it.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I can't imagine they haven't got a masterplan for Int'l lounges etc given they have just done the upgrades. I suspect they will be all over it.

It would have already been considered for sure. The fact they built an international terminal without any real commitment for international service says they've been pretty serious about it for a while.

 

[vertisol]

It would have already been considered for sure. The fact they built an international terminal without any real commitment for international service says they've been pretty serious about it for a while.

I'm in and out of the terminal a few times most weeks and there is certainly plenty of space landside for extra facilities.

 

[Himeno]

What we don't know is how much spare space is on that upper level and if there is room for an Intl lounge.

I think very clearly check-in desks will be the same, through Dom security, up the Virgin escalator and then thru immi and additional security on that upper level (maybe with room for lounge/seating) then descending to presumably Gate4 (if that's the only 330 gate) - albeit that potentially makes it difficult for ATR operations.

How much space does the VA lounge take up? I know the QF club is above the concourse, facing out to the apron and takes up a good part of the QF end of the building while the QF J lounge is above the QF check in area with windows out to the land side of the building. Not much space for international anything on the QF side of the domestic checkpoint.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

I'm in and out of the terminal a few times most weeks and there is certainly plenty of space landside for extra facilities.

I guess it's just a question of who would operate it. Would it be worth it for SQ considering the number of services? I suppose they'd only need it open during X hours, and could be shared if another carrier decided to come in and compete (a far off question, to be sure). But there are ports with more services where SQ don't operate a lounge so who knows. Perhaps a VA-operated, SQ-branded?

 

[JessicaTam]

From the CBR airport website: International | Canberra Airport

International facilities will include customs, immigration and quarantine facilities, plus dedicated transit lounges, baggage screening, processing and collecting points, money exchanges and duty free retail.
In a clever and flexible design move, the terminal’s departure lounges and aerobridges will be capable of switching from a domestic function to an international gate. Initially two gates of the existing 14 boarding gates will be dedicated for international flights with provisions for boarding gates to be increased to 20.
‘Going international’ is not only a benefit for the people of Canberra but for the entire region. From as far north as Wollongong to as far south as Albury, people will be able to enjoy the convenience of international flights right here in Canberra without the need to go through Sydney.
Canberra Airport is engaged in ongoing discussions with airlines in regard to the commencement of international services to and from Canberra. The decision on when to commence the operation of international services is one that lies entirely with the airlines. Passengers are encouraged to make their airline aware of their desire to fly internationally direct to and from Canberra.

 

[Himeno]

From the CBR airport website: International | Canberra Airport

International facilities will include customs, immigration and quarantine facilities, plus dedicated transit lounges, baggage screening, processing and collecting points, money exchanges and duty free retail.
In a clever and flexible design move, the terminal’s departure lounges and aerobridges will be capable of switching from a domestic function to an international gate. Initially two gates of the existing 14 boarding gates will be dedicated for international flights with provisions for boarding gates to be increased to 20.
‘Going international’ is not only a benefit for the people of Canberra but for the entire region. From as far north as Wollongong to as far south as Albury, people will be able to enjoy the convenience of international flights right here in Canberra without the need to go through Sydney.
Canberra Airport is engaged in ongoing discussions with airlines in regard to the commencement of international services to and from Canberra. The decision on when to commence the operation of international services is one that lies entirely with the airlines. Passengers are encouraged to make their airline aware of their desire to fly internationally direct to and from Canberra.

Which suggests a set up like the NRT T2 domestic gates. That doesn't say anything about airline lounges, just the seating around the gates.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

From the CBR airport website: International | Canberra Airport

International facilities will include customs, immigration and quarantine facilities, plus dedicated transit lounges, baggage screening, processing and collecting points, money exchanges and duty free retail.
In a clever and flexible design move, the terminal’s departure lounges and aerobridges will be capable of switching from a domestic function to an international gate. Initially two gates of the existing 14 boarding gates will be dedicated for international flights with provisions for boarding gates to be increased to 20.
‘Going international’ is not only a benefit for the people of Canberra but for the entire region. From as far north as Wollongong to as far south as Albury, people will be able to enjoy the convenience of international flights right here in Canberra without the need to go through Sydney.
Canberra Airport is engaged in ongoing discussions with airlines in regard to the commencement of international services to and from Canberra. The decision on when to commence the operation of international services is one that lies entirely with the airlines. Passengers are encouraged to make their airline aware of their desire to fly internationally direct to and from Canberra.

I'm trying to imagine how that will work. Perhaps something like how EU ports handle Schengen vs non-Schengen flights with passport control at the gate.

I thought they were all open-air gates though. Does that mean they'll put up permanent barriers once a service starts?

So many questions!

 

[JessicaTam]

Which suggests a set up like the NRT T2 domestic gates. That doesn't say anything about airline lounges, just the seating around the gates.

I should have added, that it sounds like the ADL setup. All the domestic checkin and lounge services are used, until just before boarding where pax head through secondary screening and passport control to a small holding area at the gate.