There’s only 75 days until the Capital Express begins flying passengers from Singapore and Wellington.

While much of the excitement may be around finally having Asia on our doorstep, it’s worth remembering that our neighbours across the ditch will soon be just four hours away.

 

 

Certainly, our Trans-Tasman friends are excited at the prospect, and this week the Wellington Council has been proudly promoting the increased ties between the two cities following a visit from ACT Chief Minister, Andrew Barr.

The visit was part of moves to further strengthen ties between Wellington and Canberra and featured the signing of a sister-city agreement with Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.

 

 

Mr Barr also visited the Collider Tech Hub and NEC’s ‘Living Lab’ project, which uses technology to make cities safer and smarter – a concept which could easily be transferred to Canberra.

While there is a focus on growing the economy, the agreement is much broader. It’s about business partnerships, innovation, nationhood, the environment, promoting tourism and events, education, cultural and sporting exchanges.

 

 

The flights, which start on 21 September, provide significant opportunities to grow two-way trade and investment between Wellington, Canberra and Singapore and enable the promotion of cultural, social and education links.

Each Singapore Airlines service will provide 20 tonnes of freight capacity, which will provide new opportunities for exporters in the region to enter the Asian market.

 

 

Mr Barr also met with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key on Wednesday afternoon – another demonstration for the importance of the Capital Express flights to the broader economies surrounding both cities.

 “Our two capital cities will be stronger and have more impact globally as a result of this agreement,” says the Mayor.

 

 

“It will deliver real benefits for Wellington. Singapore Airlines’ new ‘Capital Express’ route is a great example of what this ANZAC alliance can deliver.

“It makes sense that our capital cities have close cultural, economic, political and environmental ties.”

[Capital Express]