Virgin Australia has welcomed today’s announcement that Singapore Airlines will introduce direct international services from Canberra to Singapore and Wellington from September 2016.

As part of the alliance between the two airlines, Virgin Australia will codeshare on Singapore Airlines flights between Canberra and Singapore, providing Virgin Australia customers with greater access to Asia and Europe.

The new services, which strengthen Virgin Australia’s wide-ranging partnership with Singapore Airlines, will be operated by a 266-seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft fitted with 38 Business Class seats and 228 Economy seats.

These services will make it easier for Virgin Australia’s corporate and government customers in the Canberra region to travel to Asia and Europe.

Through the alliance, Virgin Australia customers can access 89 Singapore Airlines and SilkAir services around the world.

Virgin Australia codeshares on all existing Singapore Airlines flights to and from Australia, including from Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney into Singapore, together with its subsidiary SilkAir’s flights from Cairns and Darwin into Singapore. In addition to the alliance services, Virgin Australia will codeshare on flights between Canberra and Wellington.

Velocity Frequent Flyer members can earn Velocity Points and Status Credits on the new Singapore Airlines flights. They can also take advantage of the unique loyalty conversion offering between the two airlines which allows members of KrisFlyer and Velocity Frequent Flyer to convert Miles and Points between both programs. Eligible Platinum and Gold Velocity members will have access to premium services such as additional baggage allowance and entry into Singapore Airlines lounges around the world.

The new codeshare services are subject to government and regulatory approval.