Singapore Airlines has marked 40 years of flying to Christchurch, with the airline preparing to increase its services for the coming summer.

An arriving Airbus A350 was welcomed with a water arch at Christchurch Airport on Thursday to celebrate four decades of flights linking the South Island with Singapore and destinations around the world.

The airline began flying to Christchurch in 1986 and is one of the airport’s longest serving international airline partners.

Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson said the anniversary reflected the strength of the relationship.

“Forty years is an extraordinary commitment and speaks volumes about the strength of Singapore Airlines’ relationship with Christchurch and the South Island.

“Over that time, the service has connected generations of travellers, supported tourism and trade and given South Islanders an important gateway to the world.”

Singapore Airlines operates a daily service throughout the year, with additional flights over summer.

Its summer schedule, running from 25 October 2026 to 28 March 2027, will provide 120,900 seats, an increase of 21 per cent compared with last summer.

Supplementary flights will increase from three to five a week during the peak summer period.

Singapore Airlines general manager New Zealand Wilson Yong said the airline was proud of its longstanding connection with Christchurch and the wider South Island.

Watson said the airport looked forward to developing the partnership further.

“We’re incredibly proud of the partnership we’ve built together and look forward to seeing it continue to grow in the years ahead.”