SilkAir's new Boeing jet has made its public debut at the Singapore Airshow.

The B-737-800, delivered from Boeing's factory in the United States, arrived in Singapore on Wednesday and was towed to Changi Exhibition Centre on Friday morning.

SilkAir will put the new 737 into service on Feb 20 and deploy it on routes to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Phuket and Medan.

The regional arm of Singapore Airlines has bought 54 single-aisle Boeing jets as it gears up for expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.