Singapore Airlines touches down in Toowoomba

In a first for the Darling Downs, Singapore Airlines landed in Toowoomba yesterday ready to pick up local produce to export it directly to Singapore markets. 

With the support of the Federal Government’s International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM) initiative, Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport have led this exciting export expansion, and continue to deliver real growth opportunities for our region.

The Singapore Airlines Airbus A350-900 has 40 tonne of export capability to deliver Darling Downs produce to a new market in Asia.

Last night it was loaded up with nearly 20 tonne of local horticulture product including broccoli, lettuce and corn as well as chilled red meat.

Within 24 hours this high quality agricultural produce has gone from straight from the fields of the Darling Downs to Singapore where it will end up on dining tables and in supermarkets and restaurants of this new Asian market.

In a recent Queensland Government media statement the Premier and Minister for Trade Annastacia Palaszczuk praised the collaboration between the many individuals and organisations that have worked to co-ordinate the flights.

“Local exporters have been helped by the Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport, Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise, Austrade, Trade and Investment Queensland, our outstanding producers and of course the airlines,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

TSBE Food Leaders Australia General Manager, Bruce McConnel, said it is exciting to be able to help bring this major airline to our region.

This new service combined with the two Cathay Pacific flights positions Toowoomba to be a regional leader in international exports, with a primary focus on Asian markets.

“TSBE is pleased to have facilitated the successful coordination between Governments and independent contractors to enable increased freight capacity of the region from 80 tonne to 160 tonne per week.”

“With the wonderful opportunities currently here in the region for our food and agriculture businesses, this service is adding another significant connection.”

“The service is committed to for a six-week period, with a review to occur after this period to ensure the long term viability of the service ” said Mr McConnel.

“This commitment is not only a sign of confidence in our region, but also gives our exporters more chance to get their products to the world.”

Exporters interested in the Singapore market are encouraged to get in touch with their freight management contact to understand the opportunities further.

“The opportunity now sits with the regional exporters to make use of the service and ensure its long term sustainability and we urge all exporters to support the expanded services,” said Mr McConnel.