SINGAPORE Airlines is celebrating 30 years of flying from Manchester to Singapore

In April 1986 Singapore Airlines flew the first direct flights from Manchester to Singapore making it the longest serving long haul carrier from Manchester Airport.

Initially the route was flown by a Boeing 747 300 aircraft twice weekly. Today the service is flown by a Boeing 777 300ER aircraft , featuring the new Premium Economy cabin, operates daily from Manchester to Singapore connecting to many destinations including Australia and New Zealand as well as other Asian destinations.

Singapore Airlines general manager for UK and Ireland, Wilson Yong, said: “This marks the 30th anniversary of what is a great relationship between our customers in the North England and our partnership with Manchester Airport and we are looking to building on our long standing support for this service.”

Patrick Alexander, head of marketing from Manchester Airport, said:“With our catchment area of 22 million people and our passenger throughput of 23.3m passengers annually we are pleased to offer the daily service that Singapore Airlines provides with its world renowned on board service.”

Singapore Airlines celebrated the30th Anniversary of direct flights with a party at Manchester's MOSI Museum of Science and Industry to a gathering of more than150 travel people.

Ken Garrity, director of Ken Garrity Travel Altrincham was one of the select group to be invited.

Ken saw the first Singapore Airlines aircraft land in 1986 and has flown with the airline many times.

He said: "I have supported this service since its first days and pleased to see how well it has done. The new aircraft are fitted with business class, the new Premium Economy seats as well as economy.

"My clients enjoy the service on board which is second to none ,with the famous Singapore Girl in her Sarong Kebaya uniform designed by Pierre Balmain."