To the beat of Russian Cossacks and Lion Dances the inaugural flight of Singapore Airlines arrived, today, at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston. Touting their largest business class seats in the aviation industry and their unrivaled network of Asian destinations, the international carrier becomes the first to connect Houston to Moscow, Russia and Singapore.

The four weekly flights that will depart from IAH, from this day forward, add two new international destinations to the already expansive list of international cities served from Houston’s largest airport. The new air service will stop first in Moscow, on its arriving or departing flights, before continuing on to Singapore or Houston.

“This is a very proud moment for the City of Houston, the Houston Airport System and for the entire local community,” exclaimed Robert Wigington, deputy director of marketing, communications and community affairs for the Houston Airport System. “As an international gateway we have a lot to offer. Not only do we have a strong origin and destination market, we also have an equally competitive connecting network. We are very proud to welcome Singapore Airlines to George Bush Intercontinental Airport.”

During the past 12 months, the Houston Airport System has launched or announced more than 42 additional weekly flights to destinations such as Dubai, Heathrow Airport in London, Korea and Taipei – now Russia and Singapore as well.

As the arriving 777-300ER aircraft taxied over to Terminal D it was met by a water arch, courtesy of the airport’s firefighting stations, and a celebratory crowd of airport and airline executives, among them Wigington; Singapore Airlines’ regional vice president of the Americas, Wee Kok Lim; and Alvin Lim, deputy chief of mission for the Singapore Embassy in the United States.

“We are pleased to welcome Houston to Singapore Airlines’ growing network of destinations. Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, and a key energy center. Its strategic location on the Gulf Coast, makes it an ideal gateway for the Southern USA to Singapore and Southeast Asia,” said Huang Cheng Eng, Singapore Airlines executive vice president, marketing and the regions. “We believe this new route will prove popular to both business and leisure travelers alike.”