Singapore Airlines launched its Hangzhou service on June 1, further strengthening air links between Hangzhou and Singapore and increasing the total number of weekly flights between the two cities to 25.

The inaugural SQ838 flight departed Singapore Changi Airport and arrived in Hangzhou International Airport, marking the airline's first direct service to the city.

The new route reflects growing demand for travel between Hangzhou and Singapore. During the first five months of 2026, the route handled nearly 149,000 passengers, up 10 percent year-on-year, making Singapore one of the Hangzhou airport's busiest international destinations.

Beyond passenger travel, the route is expected to enhance cargo capacity between Zhejiang and Southeast Asia, providing faster export channels for local fresh products such as bayberries and seafood.

The addition of Singapore Airlines also expands Hangzhou's global connectivity. Through Singapore Changi Airport, passengers can access more than 130 destinations worldwide via the airline's international network.

The new route operates daily using an Airbus A350-900 aircraft. Flight SQ838 departs Singapore at 5:40 pm and arrives in Hangzhou at 10:50 pm, while SQ839 leaves Hangzhou at 12:10 am and lands in Singapore at 5:10 am.