The day has finally come when Singapore Airlines 9V-SRP has arrived in the capital. SQ291 touched down from Singapore (via Canberra) this afternoon at around 3pm – complete with a water canon salute and traditional powhiri.

The Boeing 777-212(ER) will depart at 8.15pm and return back to Singapore (also via Canberra) as SQ292.

The new flight would bring an extra 110,000 seats a year, which now connect Wellington directly to Australia connecting to Asia and Europe. The local council estimates the economic benefit to be $44 million annually.