Singapore Airlines defers Sydney-Jakarta-Singapore route launch

Singapore Airlines is pausing its plans to launch non-stop flights between Sydney and Jakarta: a route which was to commence in only two weeks’ time on November 23.

According to an emailed media statement, the Indonesian civil aviation authorities have temporarily withdrawn their approval for the new route due to “runway maintenance works” at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Written approval to launch Sydney-Jakarta-Singapore flights had previously been granted by the Indonesian authorities and also by the airport itself, including the provision of ‘airport slots’ which had allowed Singapore Airlines to plan and publish its original flight schedule.

When contacted, Singapore Airlines was unable to provide Australian Business Traveller with a revised launch date, making it unknown when this new route will eventually take-off.

“SIA will progressively contact customers with bookings on this route and help put them on other flights,” Singapore Airlines’ statement reads. “The airline apologises for the inconvenience caused to our customers.”

Without Singapore Airlines, the non-stop Sydney-Jakarta route continues to be served by both Qantas and Garuda Indonesia.

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Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.