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Changi Airport

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Singapore Changi Airport
Iconic control tower of Singapore Changi Airport
Summary
Airport typePublic/Military
OwnerCivil Aviation Authority of Singapore
OperatorCivil Aviation Authority of Singapore/
Republic of Singapore Air Force
ServesSingapore
LocationChangi, East Region
Elevation AMSL7 m / 22 ft
Coordinates01°21′33″N 103°59′22″E / 1.35917°N 103.98944°E / 1.35917; 103.98944
Websitewww.changiairport.com
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02L/20R 4,000 13,123 Concrete
02C/20C 4,000 13,123 Concrete
02R/20L 2,750 9,022 Asphalt
Statistics (2006)
Passenger movements35,033,000
Airfreight movements in tonnes1,911,000
Aircraft movements214,000
Sources: airport website[1], CAAS AIP[2].

Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) (Malay: Lapangan Terbang Changi Singapura; Chinese: 新しん加か坡樟宜むべ机つくえ场; pinyin: Xīnjiāpō Zhāngyí Jīchǎng; Tamil: சிங்கப்பூர் சாங்கி விமானநிலையம) or simply Changi Airport, is a major aviation hub in Asia, particularly in the Southeast Asian region, and is the main airport in Singapore. Located in Changi on a 13 km² (3,200 acre) site, it is about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north-east from the commercial centre.

The airport is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and is the home base of Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines Cargo, SilkAir, Tiger Airways, Jetstar Asia Airways, Valuair, and Jett8 Airlines Cargo. It is a major hub for Garuda Indonesia and Qantas. As of June 2007, there are about 4,186 weekly flights operated by 81 airlines to over 185 cities in 58 countries.[3] An important contributor to the Singapore economy, 13,000 people are employed at the airport. The airport accounts for over S$4.5 billion in output.

In 2006, the airport handled a record 35 million passengers, an 8% increase over the 2005 fiscal year. [4] This made it the 22nd busiest airport in the world and the sixth busiest in Asia by passenger traffic. In addition to being an important passenger traffic hub, the airport is one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, handling 1,911,000 tonnes of cargo in 2006.[4]. Incentives like the Air Hub Development Fund, first introduced in 2003, have proven effective in attracting airlines here. A new S$300 million fund to strengthen Changi's hub status will start in 2007 when the S$210 million fund expires in 2006. The new S$1.75 billion Terminal 3 opened on 9 January 2008,[5][6] and Terminal 1 will be upgraded along the lines of the renovated Terminal 2, with the latter costing S$240 million. Changi has been courting both premium and budget travellers with the opening of a commercially important persons terminal by JetQuay and a S$45 million Budget Terminal in 2006.

Since its opening in 1981, the airport has made its mark in the aviation industry as a benchmark for service excellence, winning over 250 awards up to 2006.[7] Changi Airport's efforts to counter the onset of age include periodic physical upgrades to its existing terminals, building of new facilities and taking steps to provide a high level of customer service.[8]

History

Growth in the global aviation transport was felt in Singapore, where Singapore International Airport at Paya Lebar, Singapore's third main civilian airport after Seletar Airport (main airport from 1930-37, still in use today for private aviation and limited commercial flights) and Kallang Airport (1937-55), was facing congestion problems. Opened in 1955 with a single runway and a small passenger terminal, its inability to cope with the rising traffic became critical by the 1970s, when passenger numbers rose dramatically from 300,000 to 1,700,000 passengers annually in 1970 and 4,000,000 annually in 1975.

The government had two options available: expand the existing airport at Paya Lebar or build a completely new airport at another location. After extensive study, a decision was made in 1972 to keep the airport at Paya Lebar as recommended by a British aviation consultant. Plans were created for the building of a second runway and an extensive redevelopment and expansion to the passenger terminal building. A year later, however, the plans were reviewed again due to the 1973 oil crisis.

Concerned that the existing airport was located in an area with potential for urban growth which would physically hem it in on all sides and limit its physical growth, the government subsequently decided in 1975 to build a new airport at the eastern tip of the main island at Changi at the site of Changi Airbase that was renamed from RAF Changi post-independence, and in turn renamed Changi Airbase(West), where the new airport would be easily expandable by land reclamation. However, the airport still had to be expanded during that period of time as there was an increase in traffic at that time. In addition, airplanes could fly over the sea, avoiding noise pollution issues within residential areas like those at Paya Lebar and helping to avoid disastrous consequences on the ground in the event of an air mishap. The airport in Paya Lebar was subsequently converted for military use as the Paya Lebar Airbase.

Departure hall of Terminal 1

Construction

The airport was one of the largest single development projects in its history. The original master plan involved constructing a dual-terminal and dual-runway configuration over two phases with provisions for another two passenger terminals in the future. Phase 1 included the construction for the first passenger terminal, the first runway, 45 aircraft parking bays, support facilities and structures, including a large maintenance hangar, the first fire station, workshops and administrative offices, an airfreight complex, two cargo agents buildings, in-flight catering kitchens and an 80 metre (262 ft) control tower. Construction for the second phase would commence immediately after the completion of Phase 1 and include the second runway, 23 new aircraft parking bays in addition to the existing 45 bays, a second fire station and a third cargo agent building.

Land reclamation works involving over 52,000,000 cubic meters (68,000,000 yd³) of landfill and seafill began in June 1975, even as the airport at Paya Lebar was still in the midst of expansion works. About 2 square kilometers (494 acres) of swamp land was cleared and filled with 12,000,000 cubic meters (15,700,000 yd³) of earth from the nearby hills, while another 40,000,000 cubic meters (52,300,000 yd³) of sand from the seabed were used to reclaim land. The contractor was PentaOcean Construction (五洋建設ごようけんせつ), a Japanese construction firm directly involved in numerous land reclamation projects in Singapore. Canals were built to drain water from three rivers, Sungei Tanah Merah Besar, Sungei Ayer Gemuroh and Sungei Mata Ikan. In total, 8.7 km² (2,200 acre) were reclaimed, raising the total site area to 13 km². Of this, landfill accounted for 2 km² (500 acre (2 km²)) while seafill represented 6.7 km² (1,700 acre).[9] The construction also demolished 558 buildings, exhuming around 4100 graves, a 15-inch (381 mm) gun emplacement at Changi, and diverting the three streams to the western side of the former Royal Air Force runway, which was to be used for the new 4,000 metre runway. All of these works were completed in May 1977. From 1977 to 1979, it was used to pile-driving the foundation of Terminal 1 and other buildings as well. The foundation stone for Terminal 1 was laid in August 1979. The 78-m high control tower is built on reclaimed land, with its design becoming an icon for the airport. The original name of the control tower was "Aitropolis", but was seldom used. The column-free hangar with an area almost as large as the Padang could hold three Boeing 747s. Its roof was constructed in Batam, and was shipped to Singapore in four separate sections by barge. A special jetty was build on the coast to obtain fuel from the Western Islands by shipping it round the coast. The fuel is pumped for a mile to the airport fuel station run by six oil companies on the north-eastern perimeter. The pipelines then leads to all the parking bays through a pipe some five meters below ground level.[10]

The first phase costing about S$1.3 billion opened on July 1, 1981 with the first flight, Singapore Airlines Flight 101, touching down at 0700 hours Zulu with 140 passengers from Kuala Lumpur.[11] Officially opened with much fanfare five months later on December 29, 1981, the airport ended its first year operations with 12.1 million passengers, close to 200,000 tonnes of air freight handled and 63,100 aircraft movements. Despite the airport opening in 1981, some sections of the airport were not fully completed. The big aircraft hangar was only completed in 1982, and the first runway was fully completed only in 1983. It was then when the now defunct government department, the Public Works Department then decided to focus on the construction of the second runway on the reclaimed land east of the Terminal 1. The sections of phase 2 opened progressively over the next few years with the completion of a second runway as well as other facilities. In 1985, the construction work on Terminal 2 started, south of Terminal 1. Terminal 2 was completed in 1989, and was opened in November 1990 with its official opening on June 1 1991 by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. The opening of the second terminal was way ahead of passenger demand.[10]

Expansion

The airport has a development policy of always building years ahead of demand to help to avoid congestion problems common in major airports and maintain high service standards. While the original master plan details plans for two passenger terminals, there have been provisions to provide for long-term expansion initiatives, including the allocation of space for a third terminal planned to have a physical configuration mirroring that of Terminal 2.

Terminal 3

Brightly-lit check-in counters at Terminal 3; the round holes are the air-conditioning vents—they are placed at a lower level to diffuse cool air more efficiently.
Baggage collection point; the Green Wall (right) spans 300 metres and comprises 25 species of climbing plants.

Construction of Terminal 3 began in 1999, at an estimated cost of about S$1.75 billion. Originally planned for completion in 2006, the date was postponed by two years after global terrorism concerns delayed growth of air traffic in the airport. On 30 May 2006, a topping out ceremony for the terminal was conducted, and an open house was held from 12 November 2007 to 9 December 2007. Test flights were held from November 12 until 3 January where the baggage handling, check-in and ground handling systems were tested. The terminal became operational on 9 January 2008 with SQ1 from San Francisco via Hong Kong being the first flight to arrive at the new terminal at 1156 local time (0356 UTC) and SQ318 at 1315 local time (0515 UTC) being the first departing flight.[5] The terminal increases the airport's maximum passenger capacity annually by 22 million, bringing the total annual capacity up to 70 million passengers.

Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill and CPG Corporation, Terminal 3 departs from the largely utilitarian architecture in the first two terminals. Like other new airports in the region, it has a structure mainly made of glass, with big transparent spaces inside the terminal. However, unlike these newer airports, it incorporates "natural" features and "warm" tone extensively to balance the sterile feel of glass and steel. For example, the column is given a wood-like cladding and the floor of the terminal is mostly cream/ beige colour. The roof has been designed to allow natural light to enter the building, with 900 skylights. A five-metre-high "Green Wall" with hanging creepers and waterfall has been constructed to make the place feel tropical. The Green Wall also helps to regulate the internal temperature of the terminal with the occasional misting. The terminal will have 28 aerobridge gates, with eight capable of handling the Airbus A380. While the other 2 terminals uses separate waiting areas for different gates, Terminal 3 has common waiting areas for some of the gates. The terminal is equipped with a full-service nine-story Crowne Plaza Hotel on its premises.

Singapore Airlines is a confirmed tenant, routing its long-haul flights bound for North America, Europe (excluding Moscow), Japan (excluding flights routed through Bangkok), South Korea, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand through the new terminal. Star Alliance carriers, which includes Singapore Airlines, are likely to move to Terminal 3 subsequently.[12] Flights may arrive at either Terminal 2 or Terminal 3, depending on where the inbound aircraft is next scheduled to fly to.

Four airlines, namely China Eastern Airlines, Jet Airways, Qatar Airways and United Airlines, have confirmed their move to the new terminal.[13] CAAS is still in talks to move other airlines to the Terminal,[14] although several airlines expressed concern over the dedicated SIA passenger lounge and unique check-in system not open to other airlines to be introduced in Terminal 3. CAAS clarified that a common check-in system may be used by any airline in half of the Terminal space.[15]

Budget Terminal

The air-conditioned low-cost terminal opened in March 2006.

Changing needs in the aviation industry led to reviews in the master plan, resulting in the decision to cater to the high-end as well as budget sectors of the air travel industry. Although the pioneering airport to conceptualise and construct a Budget Terminal in Asia, it became operational on 26 March 2006 a few days after the opening of a similar terminal in Kuala Lumpur, and was officially opened on 31 October 2006. The name of the Budget Terminal was decided as a result of a naming contest open to the public. [16] The terminal is not included in the numbering scheme even though it is the third terminal to be opened and Terminal 3 is actually the fifth terminal opened at the airport.

Other upgrades

Even as new terminals are being built, the airport continuously upgrades and expands its existing terminals. Terminal 1 went through its first major refurbishment in 1995 at a cost of S$ 170 million, prior to the commencement of expansion works a year later to add 14 aerobridges at a cost of S$420 million, which was completed in 1999. Terminal 2 was similarly expanded almost immediately after its opening in 1990, with the addition of two piers of aerobridges costing S$330 million and completed in 1996. In 2002, work commenced on the new Changi Airport Skytrain as well as the Terminal 2 building, and on 13 September 2006, the airport marked the completion of an extensive upgrade costing S$240 million in Terminal 2, which included an updated glass-fronted facade, interior decor, and terminal layout modifications.

With the impending arrival of the Airbus A380, the airport put into place modifications works costing S$60 million, which it has planned for since the late 1990s. These included the building of 19 gates capable of handling the large aircraft, eight of which are in Terminal 3. Baggage claim carousels, runways, and taxiways were expanded, and two new freighter aircraft stands and two remote aircraft parking stands built. 2 aircraft taxiway bridges spanning Airport Boulevard leading to the terminals also had shields installed on either side to shield the road from the jet blast. On November 11 2005, the airport became the first outside Europe to receive the A380 for airport compatibility verification tests, and was the first in the world to have an operational triple-passenger loading bridge fit for trials.

A dedicated stand-alone "Commercially Important Person" (CIP) terminal opened by JetQuay on 29 September 2006 is a first in Asia. [17]

Future plans

Given limited land resources, the airport was first conceptualised to function as the country's sole airport for the foreseeable future without the need for relocation or the building of another airport when passenger figures increased. Long-term plans for the airport thus gave physical provisions in the form of reclaimed land nearly equal in size to that of the existing airport, with enough space for two more runways and at least two new passenger terminal buildings. In 2006, a short runway was opened for Changi Airbase (East) on the site, an interim measure in preparation for its eventual expansion for passenger flights.

Extensive upgrading works in Terminal 1 similar in scale to the recently completed works at Terminal 2 will commence in September 2007. Resurfacing works costing S$50m on its dual runways and older taxiways will also be conducted. Terminal 3 will be tested later in 2007 to prepare for its 2008 opening. Changi Airport will also continue to improve the security systems of Changi Airport such as access controls and surveillance systems to make the airport safer for travellers. Transport Minister Raymond Lim also added that the "software" of the airport had to be improved as well.[18]

Awards and accolades

Main article: Singapore Changi Airport awards and accolades

Changi Airport is a top airport in terms of customer service and security and has won over 250 awards and accolades as best airport since its opening in 1981[7], from organizations such as International Air Transport Association[19] and Business Traveller.[20]

Infrastructure and services

Infrastructure[1]
Departure Hall of Terminal 1
Taxiways
Length 25,300 meters (83,000 ft)
Width 30 m (98 ft)
Passenger terminal buildings
Total
Floor area 1,063,020 m²
(11,442,252 ft²)
Handling capacity 68.7 million passengers
Parking bays 92 (aerobridge)
10 (contact)
42 (remote)
Terminal One
Opened 1 July 1981 (operational)
29 December 1981 (official)
Floor area 280,020 m²
(3,014,110 ft²)
Handling capacity 21 million passengers
Parking bays 29 (aerobridge)
16 (remote)
Terminal Two
Opened 22 November 1990 (operational)
1 June 1991 (official)
Floor area 358,000 m²
(3,853,480 ft²)
Handling capacity 23 million passengers
Parking bays 35 (aerobridge)
9 (remote)
Terminal Three
Opened 9 January 2008 (operational)
Floor area 380,000 m²
(4,090,286 ft²)
Handling capacity 22 million passengers
Parking bays 28 (aerobridge)
1 (remote)
Budget Terminal
Opened 26 March 2006 (operational)
31 October 2006 (official)
Floor area 25,000 m²
(269,098 ft²)
Handling capacity 2.7 million passengers
Parking bays 10 (contact)
JetQuay (CIP Terminal)
Opened 29 September 2006 (official)
Floor area 20,000 m²
(215,278 ft²)
Handling capacity
Parking bays 0

Air traffic control tower

The ATC was constructed as part of the phase one of the Changi Airport redevelopment plan.

ATC frequencies:

  • Changi Runway Control - 118.60 MHz
  • Changi Ground - 124.30 MHz
  • Changi Tower - 118.60 MHz, 121.50 MHz
  • Changi Approach - 120.30 MHz
  • ATIS - 128.60 MHz

Runways

Changi Airport has two parallel runways, 02L/20R and 02C/20C, each 60 m wide and 4000 m (13,123 ft) long. 02L/20R was completed and opened in 1981 as part of the airport's first phase. 02C/20C, formerly 02R/20L, was built completely on reclaimed land and opened with phase 2, 1.6 kilometers (1.0 mi) apart from 02L/20R. Both runways are equipped with four sets of Instrument Landing Systems to guide landing aircraft safely under all weather conditions. Runway 20R has a displaced threshold of Template:M to ft making it Template:M to ft long.[2]

A new parallel runway 02R/20L (named 01/19 when opened in 2004) was built 1.8 kilometers (1.1 mi) to the east of 02C/20C, currently used only by Republic of Singapore Air Force aircraft as part of Changi Airbase (East).[2] The new runway is expected to be extended and eventually be turned into a third runway for the airport in future expansion plans.

Passenger terminals

Swimming pool within the transit area of Terminal 1

Changi Airport has five terminals, three of which are connected by a people mover system. A terminal for low-cost carriers (Budget Terminal) has been completed and started operation in late March 2006. In September 2006, JetQuay was opened for the high-end spectrum of the air travelling public, and Terminal 3 was opened in January 2008, bringing the total handling capacity to 68.7 million passengers a year spread over an area of 1,063,020 square metres (11,442,252 sq ft).

With Changi-based Singapore Airlines being the launch customer for the Airbus A380, works to ensure full capability in handling the large aircraft was given priority in time for its introduction in October 2007. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore spent S$60 million in upgrading the two existing terminals and airport infrastructure, including enlarged gate holdrooms, new finger piers, and extended baggage belt carousels from the normal 70 metres (230 ft) to 90 m (295 ft). With these new carousels in place, the airport does not expect embarking and disembarking passengers and baggage from the A380 to take longer than it does for Boeing 747-400s, which carry significantly fewer passengers.

On 16 August 2005, Changi Airport unveiled the first of 11 specially-built gates capable of handling the giant aircraft. Costing S$15 million, the gates or 'fingers' enable passengers to get on the upper cabin of the new 555-seater aircraft directly from the gate hold rooms. The hold rooms themselves have been enlarged and appointed to cater for the larger number of passengers flying the A380s. Beside the 11 new gates at Terminal 1 and 2, eight more A380-capable gates were opened at Terminal 3 on 9 January 2008.

Changi Airport was the second in Asia (after Kuala Lumpur International Airport) to open a dedicated terminal catering to the budget traveller. In order to offer lower landing fees, handling fees and airport taxes, it cuts back on amenities such as aerobridges, elaborate physical structures and decorations in the passenger terminal building. Air-conditioning, a range of duty-free shops and food & beverage outlets, and free internet terminals are available. There is no transfer facility at the Budget Terminal. Passengers who need to make transfers need to clear immigration, collect their luggage, clear customs, make their way to the main terminal by taking the free shuttle buses and check-in again with the respective airline.

Terminal facilities

Extensive foliage in Terminal 2 provides relaxation for passengers in the transit area.

The airport has over 240,000 m2 (2,583,339 sq ft) of space spread between its three main terminals for shopping and eating outlets, with Terminal 3 having the largest amount of retail space at 215,278 m2 (2,317,233 sq ft)[21]. Extensive upgrading work on existing retail areas since 2004 in Terminals 1 and 2 has increased sales 13.3% in the first half of 2005 year-on-year over 2004, and as much as 67% compared to the same period in 2003, with brands such as Prada, Gucci, Bulgari and Hermès opening outlets during this period. The first Fifa Official Store in the world was opened in Terminal 3, along with Asia's first Ferrari travel retail shop.

In terms of sales, the airport outstrips other shopping malls in Singapore, including those in top tourist spot Orchard Road. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore derives 60% of its total annual revenue (over US$500 million in the year ending March 2005) from non-aeronautical sources, with 30% from commercial space rental and a percentage of sale receipts. Liquor and perfumes are particularly popular, accounting for over half of total retail sales, followed by watches and tobacco products. The airport enjoys "one of the highest concession revenues per passenger in the world" compared to other major international airports according to Jeffrey Loke, CAAS' assistant commercial director.

In addition to a wide array of duty-free shops and eating outlets, Changi Airport has six open-air garden areas. Open to customers of the airport, each garden represents a different group of plants: cacti, bamboo, heliconia, sunflower, fern and orchid. Changi Airport has numerous business centres located around the airport. Within the international transit area of the interconnected Terminals 1 and 2, internet and games facilities, prayer rooms, showers, spas, gym, swimming pool and a hotel are provided. Various lounge areas are provided, some including children's play areas or televisions showing news, movie and sport channels.

Airfreight

The Air Cargo Division of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore manages the Changi Airfreight Centre located in the north of the airport premises.[22] Fueled by high economic growth in China, the airport handled 1,854,610 tonnes of air cargo in 2005, an increase of 3.3% over the 2004 fiscal year, making it the 10th busiest airfreight hub in the world and the fifth busiest in Asia. Due to Singapore's large electronics sector, electrical components constitute a significant part of the total cargo traffic handled at the airport, although it has initiated attempts to diversify into the perishable air cargo market.

Relying on extensive use of Information Technology, the Air Cargo Division introduced various IT systems such as the Air Cargo EDI System (ACES), the Advance Clearance for Courier and Express Shipments System (ACCESS) and the Electronic Payment and Invoicing for Cargo (EPIC) to ease customs clearance procedures and movement. It pioneered the TradeNet System, allowing for traders to conduct trade declarations over the internet and speeding the approval process by controlling authorities. TradeNet will be linked to the country-wide Integrated Trade and Logistics IT platform.[23]

Airline services

Ground handling

Ground handling of an Emirates Boeing 777-300 by CIAS in Terminal 1

Ground handling services are handled by three companies: Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS), Changi International Airport Services (CIAS) and Swissport. SATS, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is the dominant player with close to 80% of the market in the airport. CIAS was formed in 1981 by the Port of Singapore Authority and five airlines (Air France, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and Lufthansa. It handles the remaining market share.

In the early 2000s, the government decided to introduce competition into the market by offering an additional license. Swissair's Swissport successfully won the license (valid for 10 years) and commenced operations on March 2, 2005. As Swissair folded and was subsequently taken over by Swiss International Air Lines, the latter became the company's first customer. Adam Air chose Swissport as its ground handler in 2005, while Tiger Airways followed suit in 2006. Other customers of Swissport include Australian Airlines, Northwest Airlines, Swiss World Cargo, Thai AirAsia and Cardig Air.

CIAS underwent restructuring when its shareholding was bought over by Dubai's Dnata group and Temasek Holdings, being relaunched in June 2005 with a new branding. Its security services were amalgamated into the new Temasek-owned Aetos Security Management Private Limited.

Aircraft maintenance

Five hangars house facilities to provide aircraft maintenance support by SIA Engineering Company and ST Aviation Services Company. This includes a 20,000 square meters (215,000 ft²) column-free hangar which was the world's largest when opened in 1981.[11]

Security

An Aetos auxiliary police officer controlling access to the runway side of the Departure Hall at Terminal 1, Singapore Changi Airport. Such services are now provided by Certis CISCO.

The airport's security comes under the purview of the Airport Police Division of the Singapore Police Force. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks and naming of the airport as a terrorism target by the Jemaah Islamiyah, the airport's security has been stepped up. Roving patrol teams consisting of two soldiers and a police officer, armed with assault rifles or sub-machine guns, patrol the terminals at random intervals.[24] Officers from the Gurkha Contingent are also deployed to patrol the transit areas of the terminal buildings.

These measures come at a cost partly borne by travellers in the form of a "passenger security service charge," imposed since 2002.[25] It is levied at S$6 on passengers in both main terminals and the Budget Terminal.[26] In 2005, it became the first airport outside the United States to win the "Excellence in Airport Security Award".[27]

Assisting the state organizations are security services provided by Certis CISCO, an auxiliary police corporation, as well as security screening conducted by ground handling companies, namely that of the Singapore Airport Terminal Services's SATS Security Services and Aetos Security Management, the later of which was formed from a merger of the Changi International Airport Services's airport security unit and that of other companies to become a single, island-wide auxiliary police company. These officers man check-in counters to screen luggage, control movements into restricted areas, and so forth.

In 2005, an upgrade in screening technology and rising security concerns led to luggage-screening processes being conducted behind closed-doors, as opposed to them being done just before check-in previously within public view. Carry-on luggage and persons screening are conducted at the individual departure gates, while check-in luggage are screened in the backrooms and secured before loading. Plans are in place to install over 400 cameras around the airport to monitor passenger activity around the clock and check on suspicious parcels and activity. Tenders to incorporate such a system was called in late September 2005.[28] A second perimeter fence to prevent unauthorised persons is due for construction, to be completed by 2008. The Airport Police plans to introduce a biometric identification system for access into restricted areas.[29]

In view of the 2006 transatlantic aircraft plot, security screening checks have been stepped up on passengers and their hand-carry luggage, as well as checked-in luggage on flights bound for destinations in the United Kingdom and the United States from Changi.[30]

Air transportation

As all passenger traffic out of the airport is international in nature, the four major terminals in operation are equipped with immigration processing facilities for international travel. Flights by Singapore Airlines operate from both Terminal 2 and 3 while flights by Singapore Airlines regional subsidiary SilkAir, Etihad, Lufthansa, and some Southeast Asia-based carriers including Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines and Royal Brunei Airlines operate from the Terminal 2, while the majority of other airlines use Terminal 1. Two airlines, namely Tiger Airways and Cebu Pacific, utilize the Budget Terminal.

After recovering from a drop in passenger traffic as a result of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, the airport saw rapid growth in traffic which hit the 30 million mark for the first time a year later in 2004. A monthly record was set in June 2006 with 2,980,106 passengers handled, an increase of 9.1% in its first six months of operations for 2006. The Budget Terminal handled about 657,000 passengers by October 26, 2006, six months after its opening in March, and constituted 11.3% of total flights in October 2006 compared to 9.6% in April the same year.[31] The terminal handled its one-millionth passenger at the end of the 2006.[32]

Airlines and destinations

The following is a list of airlines that serve Singapore Changi Airport.

Operations and Statistics
The Departure Hall of Terminal 2
Operational statistics [2]
Passenger movements
1998 23,803,180 2003 24,664,137
1999 26,064,645 2004 30,353,565
2000 28,618,200 2005 32,430,856
2001 28,093,759 2006 35,033,000
2002 28,979,344 2007
Airfreight movements in tonnes
1998 1,283,660 2003 1,611,407
1999 1,500,393 2004 1,775,092
2000 1,682,489 2005 1,833,721
2001 1,507,062 2006 1,911,000
2002 1,637,797 2007
Aircraft movements
1998 165,242 2003 154,346
1999 165,961 2004 184,932
2000 173,947 2005 204,138
2001 179,359 2006 214,000
2002 174,820 2007
Top destinations [3]
By flight frequencies (weekly one-way)
1 Jakarta 184
2 Bangkok 169
3 Kuala Lumpur 108
4 Hong Kong 101
5 Tokyo 63

Terminal 1

Terminal 2

A Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 and a Northwest Airlines Boeing 747 at Changi Airport.
  • Etihad Airways (Abu Dhabi, Brisbane)
  • Lufthansa (Frankfurt, Jakarta, Munich [begins June 8])
  • Malaysia Airlines (Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Kuching, Langkawi, Penang)
  • Philippine Airlines (Jakarta, Manila)
  • Royal Brunei Airlines (Bandar Seri Begawan)
  • Singapore Airlines (Departure destinations: Abu Dhabi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bandar Seri Begawan, Bangalore, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Cairo, Cape Town, Chennai, Colombo, Denpasar, Delhi, Dhaka, Dubai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hyderabad, Istanbul-Atatürk, Jakarta, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Karachi, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Lahore, Malé, Manila, Moscow-Domodedovo, Mumbai, Osaka-Kansai [SQ626 only], Penang, Surabaya, Tokyo-Narita [SQ632 only]) [Aircraft will arrive at Terminal 2 if its next outbound destination is to any of the destinations listed above]
    • SilkAir (Balikpapan, Cebu, Chengdu, Chiang Mai, Chongqing, Christmas Island [scheduled charter every Thursday by AustAsia Airlines[5]], Coimbatore, Da Nang, Davao, Kaohsiung, Kathmandu, Kochi, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching, Kunming, Langkawi, Manado, Mataram, Medan, Palembang, Phnom Penh, Phuket, Shenzhen, Siem Reap, Solo, Surabaya, Thiruvananthapuram, Xiamen, Yangon)

Terminal 3

  • China Eastern Airlines (Kunming, Shanghai-Pudong) [begins end of March 2008]
  • Jet Airways (Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi) [begins end of March 2008]
  • Qatar Airways (Doha, Jakarta) [begins end of March 2008]
  • Singapore Airlines (Departure destinations: Adelaide, Amsterdam, Athens, Auckland, Barcelona, Beijing, Brisbane, Christchurch, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Fukuoka, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Houston-Intercontinental [begins 20 March], London-Heathrow, Los Angeles, Manchester, Melbourne, Milan-Malpensa, Moscow-Domodedovo, Nagoya-Centrair, Nanjing, New York-JFK, Newark, Osaka-Kansai [except SQ626], Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Perth, Rome-Fiumicino, San Francisco, Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Pudong, Sydney, Taipei-Taoyuan, Tokyo-Narita [except SQ632], Vancouver, Zürich) [Aircraft will arrive at Terminal 3 if its next outbound destination is to any of the destinations listed above[6]]
  • United Airlines (Chicago-O'Hare, Hong Kong, Tokyo-Narita, Washington-Dulles) [begins end of March 2008]

Budget Terminal

  • Cebu Pacific (Cebu, Davao [begins May 8], Manila)
  • Tiger Airways (Bandar Seri Begawan [begins 2008], Bangalore (begins 1 June 2008), Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Chennai, Chiang Mai, Darwin, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Haikou, Ho Chi Minh City, Kochi, Krabi, Kuala Lumpur[begins 1 February] 2008][6] Manila-Clark, Macau, Padang, Perth, Phuket, Shenzhen, Xiamen)

Airfreight Centre

Prospective users

Former users

Ground transportation

Changi Airport was built with ground transportation considerations in mind from the onset, with the East Coast Parkway built and opened in tendem with the airport, providing a direct link to the city center. At a distance of about 20 kilometers (12 mi), the expressway was built almost entirely on reclaimed land, thus minimising disruptions to the existing road network in Singapore's East Coast.

While configured in a compact configuration such that the three main passenger terminal buildings are sited adjacent to each other, allowing for travellers to venture between terminals on foot, a short people mover system was added to facilitate quicker and more convenient transfers. This system is being replaced by a newer system, which will connect the three main terminals in 2007 and will introduce greater security features by separating checked-in passengers from the general public on distinct tracks. This rail system is not extended to the Budget Terminal, which is served by free shuttle buses to minimize operational costs.

Inter-terminal transportation

Skytrain

Main article: Changi Airport Skytrain
The Changi Airport Skytrain

The Skytrain operates between Terminals 1, 2 and 3, with a total of seven stations. The trains have separate cars for airside (transit) and landside (public) passengers. Initially built in the early 1990s as a shuttle between Terminals 1 and 2 using Bombardier CX-100 cars, the system was revamped to use the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Crystal Mover in 2006 and extended to Terminal 3 in 2007. The service is free and operates between 5:30am and 2:30am daily.

Shuttle bus

Shuttle buses run between Terminal 2 and the Budget Terminal. Between the non-operational hours of the Skytrain, shuttle buses will depart every 20 minutes between 2:30am and 5:30am.

Connections to city

Train

Main article: Changi Airport MRT Station
Entrance to Changi Airport Station

The airport is connected to the Mass Rapid Transit network, with Changi Airport Station underground between Terminal 2 and Terminal 3. Trains operate between CG2 Changi Airport Station and EW4 Tanah Merah Station, with cross-platform transfer to EW27 Boon Lay Station. The standard fare is S$1.90 on a standard ticket or adult EZ-Link card. The MRT operates between 5:31am (5:59am on Sunday/Public holiday) and 11:18pm daily, the trip taking 27 minutes, excluding waiting and transfer times.

A direct, one-train service to the downtown and western parts of Singapore was initially in operation when the station opened on 8 February 2002. This was replaced with a shuttle service between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport stations on 22 July 2003[35], when it was found that few passengers actually use this route, compared to the number of commuters who need to travel from the city to Tampines and Pasir Ris.

Bus

Main article: Changi Airport PTB 1, 2 & 3 Bus Terminal

Buses were the main transport mode for cost-conscious travellers and local airport staff until the opening of Changi Airport MRT Station due to their relative affordability and reliability. Services operated by SBS Transit and SMRT Buses use bus terminals in the basement level of both terminals. Bus routes serve both terminals by first entering Terminal 3 and continuing to Terminal 1 & 2 and back to their points of origin.

Service Destination Notes
SBS Transit Trunk Services
24 Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange
27 Hougang Central Bus Interchange
34 Punggol Bus Interchange
36 Tomlinson Road (Loop)
53 Bishan Bus Interchange
SMRT Buses Trunk Services
858 Woodlands Regional Bus Interchange

Taxi

Taxi stands are within the arrival halls of all terminals. Prices are the fare shown on meter, plus a S$5.00 surcharge (Fri-Sun, 1700 to midnight) or S$3.00 surcharge (all other times) for trips leaving the airport.

Limousine taxi

Limousine taxi services are available at the limousine taxi counters in the arrival halls of terminals 1, 2 & 3. Similar to taxis, they run to anywhere in Singapore. Fares are S$35.00, plus applicable surcharges.

Airport shuttle

Six-seater MaxiCabs are used on the airport shuttle service that goes to anywhere within the Central Business District and to hotels in Singapore, except hotels in Changi Village and Sentosa Island, with bookings at the counters in the arrival hall. The fare paid to the driver, in cash,is S$7.00 per adult and S$5.00 per child. The service leaves every 30 minutes 6:00am - 6:00pm, every 15 minutes 6:15pm - midnight and every 30 minutes 12:30am - 2:00am.

Car rental

Car rental services are provided at the car rental counters in Terminal 2.

Accidents and incidents

Aircraft en route from Singapore

  • On the night of January 9 2008, the first newly delivered Airbus A380 of Singapore Airlines moved into a grass verge while being pulled by a tractor at the newly opened Terminal 3. Passengers of Singapore Airlines Flight 221 had to be transferred to an Boeing 747-400 for their journey to Sydney.

Aircraft en route to Singapore

  • On October 17, 2007, an Antonov An-12BP operated by Imtrec Aviation crash-landed in a flooded rice field while attempting to return to Phnom Penh's Pochentong Airport, due to a problem encountered during the flight.[37]

References

  1. ^ Singapore Changi Airport, official web site
  2. ^ a b c AIP SINGAPORE WSSS AD 2-1 10 MAY 07, AIP SINGAPORE WSSS AD 2-11 18 JAN 07
  3. ^ "Changi Airport - Air Network Fact Sheet". Singapore Changi Airport. 2007-06-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ a b "Changi Airport - AIR TRAFFIC STATISTICS - 2006". Singapore Changi Airport. 2007-06-01. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "airtraffic" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b "http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/321525/1/.html". Channel NewsAsia. MediaCorp News. 2008-01-09. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); External link in |title= (help)
  6. ^ a b Popatlal, Asha (2007-05-29). "Changi Airport's T3 to begin operations from 9 Jan". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 2007-05-29.
  7. ^ a b "Changi Airport - Awards and Allocades". Singapore Changi Airport. Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  8. ^ "Singapore Changi Airport is crowned the World's Best Airport as the 2006 World Airport Awards are announced" (Press release). Skytrax. 2006. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  9. ^ "Some Facts on Changi Airport". Singapore Changi Airport. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  10. ^ a b Henry Probert (2006), The History of Changi, Changi University Press, ISBN 981-05-5580-6
  11. ^ a b "Changi International Airport". singaporeInfopedia. National Library Board Singapore. 2001. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite web}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Unknown parameter |late= ignored (help)
  12. ^ Karamijit Kaur (2007-03-07). "Changi's T3 ready to open by next January". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. p. H2. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ "Four airlines to join SIA at new Terminal 3 when it opens on Jan 9". Channel NewsAsia. 25 October 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Changi Airport's Terminal 3 to open in January". The Straits Times. 29 May 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ "T3's up, now for the tenants". Today. 13 June 2007. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  16. ^ http://travelvideo.tv/news/more.php?id=A7751_0_1_0_M
  17. ^ http://news.opodo.co.uk/articles/2007-07-19/18217169-Singapore-boasts.php
  18. ^ Farah Abdul Rahim, "Record numbers of passsengers, cargo pass through Changi in 2006", Channel NewsAsia, 16 January 2007
  19. ^ "IATA Eagle Awards for Airservices Australia, Changi and Brisbane Airports" (Press release). International Air Transport Association. 2005-05-30. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  20. ^ "Best in Business Travel 2005". Business Traveller. 2006-01-14. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  21. ^ http://www.straitstimes.com/Lifestyle/Taste/Story/STIStory_195597.html
  22. ^ "Our Divisions". Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  23. ^ "Flying High". News Room. EDB Singapore. 2005-01-01. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  24. ^ "Singapore to Deploy Army at Changi Airport". Asian Political News. 2001-10-08. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  25. ^ "Changi Airport to Impose Security Levy". The Straits Times. 2002-01-10. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  26. ^ "Budget Terminal". Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  27. ^ Sawatan, Jackson (2005-10-24). "Changi Airport Wins Excellence In Security Award". Bernama Aviation News. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  28. ^ "Singapore to Install More Security Cameras at Changi Airport". ABC Radio Australia. 2005-04-10. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  29. ^ "The Transport Security Management Seminar at Singapore Aviation Academy" (Press release). Ministry of Home Affairs. 2006-04-12. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite press release}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ "Singapore Steps Up Security at Changi Airport". Channel NewsAsia. Mediacorp News. 2006-08-11. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  31. ^ "Media". Changi Airport. Retrieved 2006-11-03.
  32. ^ "Budget Terminal Passenger Volume to Hit One Million Mark by End-2006". 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2006-11-03. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "厦门航空こうくう下か月がつ起おこり　从新加か坡经厦门飞天津てんしん". Lianhe Zaobao/联合早さ报. Singapore Press Holdings. 2008-01-15. p. 首くび页>>新しん闻>>新しん加か坡. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ "武ぶ汉东星ぼし航空こうくう申さる请飞我国わがくに航こう线". Lianhe Zaobao/联合早さ报. Singapore Press Holdings. 2007-06-02. p. 财经>全ぜん球たま财经. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ "Singapore MRT (Metro)". UrbanRail.Net. Retrieved 2007-04-18.
  36. ^ "Runway Mistake Suspected in Taiwan Jet Crash, Officials Say," The New York Times, November 3, 2000
  37. ^ a b c d e f g "Singapore-Changi International Airport profile". Aviation Safety Network. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
  38. ^ "Red faces over 'phantom' stowaway". NST Online. 2007-10-15. Retrieved 2007-12-21.
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