SilkAir (SLK, Singapore Changi) is in negotiations to trial a service from Singapore Changi to Karratha, in Western Australia, reports the Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC). Should an agreement be reached between the town and the Singapore Airlines subsidiary, flights would commence in March 2018.
Located in Australia's northwest, the town of Karratha primarily serves the surrounding mining and gas operations. Currently Qantas (QF, Sydney Kingsford Smith), Virgin Australia International (VA, Brisbane International) and Alliance Airlines (QQ, Brisbane International) provide scheduled flights to the state capital Perth International, as well as charter flights to nearby mining areas.
An original tender period for international charters lapsed with no response, but SilkAir's late application is now being considered, reports the Pilbara News.
Mayor of Karratha, Peter Long, has said that additional work would need to be carried out to ensure the airport can handle international operations, despite a AUD35 million (USD26.2 million) upgrade which was completed in late 2015. A negotiated package will then need to go before the local council for approval.
"Attracting a new international flight route is a big undertaking and it is excellent to see that we have interest from a respected international carrier," Long said. "We need to make sure that we are getting a good deal for these flights, so we will negotiate with the interested airline to see if we can make the service viable."
In terms of Australian destinations, SilkAir offers regular flights to Cairns and Darwin, both located in the country's far north.
