Direct flight from Pune to Singapore from today

PUNE: CEO of Jet Airways Vinay Dubey said on Friday that despite the crisis that the airline is facing, there will be no effect on flight operations including the new one starting between Pune and Singapore starting from December 1, 2018. 

He was speaking to the media on Friday after announcing the new flight between the two cities. The flight from Pune to Singapore, 9W 22 will depart from Pune at 05:10 hrs (IST) with an arrival time of 13:15 hrs (local time) in Singapore. On the return leg, flight 9W 21 is scheduled to depart from Singapore at 21:00 hrs (LT) and will arrive in Pune at 00:05 hrs (IST).

“Whenever we are launching something new, we should be confident and we are positive. The Indian aviation section is witnessing a very impressive growth and nothing will affect our operations,” the CEO said. The airline will send 500 kg of sweets to Singapore, he added.

“The launch of the maiden flight between Pune and Singapore is a proud moment for us. Jet Airways is the first and the only carrier to provide direct connectivity between Pune and Singapore. With our existing 6 daily services over our hubs in Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, we will soon launch additional frequencies over the next week, which will help increase our reach into Singapore with nine daily direct services - making Jet Airways the largest Indian operator of flights to and from Singapore,” said the CEO.

Singapore saw over 36,000 visitor arrivals from Pune in 2017 - the highest for an Indian city without a direct service. Recognising Pune’s potential as a leading business and commerce centre, Jet Airways’ new flight will further help expand the scope of traffic between Pune and the neighbouring regions to Singapore.

City MP Anil Shirole said, “It was long demand by Puneites to start a direct flight between Pune and Singapore. From this flight, there will be an increase of foreign travellers in Pune.”

Travellers from Aurangabad, Ahmednagar, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara and Karad will find this flight convenient and an attractive option to connect to this flight to Singapore and to several cities beyond.

Civil Aviation Secretary of the State government Valsa Nair Singh has suggested the Jet Airways should serve Maharashtrian food onboard like Vada Pav and Puran Poli, and the CEO said that they will consider it.

Regional Director of Singapore Tourism Board, GB Shrithar said, “This was very long awaited demand which has been fulfilled. This is the 17th direct flight between India and Singapore. We have witnessed that 16 per cent passengers from India are visiting Singapore. India has taken over the fourth place replacing Malaysia.”

On the eve of the launch of this inaugural service from Pune International Airport, Jet Airways conducted a multi-faith prayer followed by a ceremonial lamp lighting to mark the launch of flight 9W 22 from Pune to Singapore. During the inauguration, Jet Airways CEO Vinay Dubey, City MP Anil Shirole, Rajya Sabha MP, Sambhajiraje Chhatrapati, Civil Aviation Secretary, Government of Maharashtra, Valsa Nair Singh, Director of Pune Airport, Ajay Kumar and Regional Director, Singapore Tourism Board, GB Srithar, were present.