In 2016 Wellington's first long-haul connection touched down in the capital with the arrival of Singapore Airlines flight from Canberra and Singapore.

Wellington's first long-haul connection has touched down in the capital.

Singapore Airlines flight SQ291, from Singapore via Canberra, landed in Wellington on Wednesday afternoon, where it was greeted with a powhiri.

Guests, including Australian Capital Territory First Minister Andrew Barr, were given a sneak peek of Wellington life at the airport - from specially brewed Garage Project beer and Whittaker's chocolate, to displays of the film and coffee industries.



MEGAN GATTEY/FAIRFAX NZ The Singapore Airlines flight was greeted with a powhiri.

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Wellington deputy mayor Justin Lester said the new flight would bring an extra 110,000 seats a year, which connected Wellington to Australia, Asia and Europe.

It was worth an estimated $44 million annually on economic benefit, he said.

ROSS GIBLIN/FAIRFAX NZ The plane arrived on time at about 3pm.

The plane arrived on time at about 3pm, marking Wellington's first long-haul connection, albeit one that stops over in Australia's capital.

Some moderate turbulence was expected at about 1800 metres but the only bumps were light.

Passengers on the inaugural flight departed Singapore at 11pm local time on Tuesday night, landing shortly after 8am Australia time (10am NZ time) on Wednesday.

MEGAN GATTEY/FAIRFAX NZ Singapore Airlines' first long-haul service has touched down in Wellington.

Crowds gathered in Canberra as flight SQ291 - which was about 95 per cent full - touched down on the runway, toasting champagne glasses as the plane rolled under ceremonial water cannons fired from waiting fire trucks.

After a short hour-and-a-half stopover, the re-fulled and re-packed aircraft took off for the second half of its new route.

According to the airline, the "Capital Express" route will run four times per week on 266-seat retro-fitted Boeing with 38 business class seats and 228 economy seats.

Jay Cronan/Fairfax NZ Singapore Airlines Flight SQ 291 arrives at Canberra Airport.

As well as opening up Wellington's first long-haul connection, it marks the beginning of direct flights between the capital cities of New Zealand and Australia.

According to Wellington Airport's website, the plane is expected to arrive on schedule at gate 23 at 3.05pm before flying out, initially for Canberra, at 8.15pm.

The Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency said the flights would add 110,000 seats in and out of Wellington annually which was a 10 per cent increase in Wellington Airport's international capacity.

"It completely opens up Wellington as a destination throughout Asia and Europe," chief executive Chris Whelan said.

"And because destinations like Auckland and Queenstown are at capacity during peak travel periods, we know travel sellers worldwide are actively looking for new and different places and things to do in New Zealand for their clients.".

Seats for the new flight went on sale in January, with return flights from Wellington to Singapore starting at $1808.

EDGAR SU/REUTERS Singapore Airlines flight attendants walk to the departure gate at Changi Airport in Singapore.

The new route will mark Wellington's first long-haul connection.

Singapore Airlines had been in talks with Wellington for around two years about a route to the capital.