Business Times - 16 Jul 2005

Boeing's 777-200LR lands at Changi

THE Boeing 777-200LR Worldliner, the world's longest-range commercial aircraft, arrived at Changi Airport for its latest stop on its 'Going the Distance' world tour yesterday. The tour began in Canada last month and will visit more than 20 cities.

The twin-engine plane, which can carry 301 passengers, has a range of 9,420 nautical miles, making it capable of connecting almost any two cities in the world non-stop. It also claims to use 24 per cent less fuel than its rival, the 280-seater A340-500.

To date Boeing has received firm orders for 16 planes from four customers.

It is currently marketing the plane to leading Asian carriers, including Singapore Airlines (SIA).

Boeing's lead director Lewis Platt was in town yesterday to meet senior SIA officials, including chief executive Chew Choon Seng and chairman Koh Boon Hwee.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

i saw that plane when i was in hong kong

18 July 2005

SATS earmarks S$23m to upgrade cargo, inflight catering
By Jeana Wong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airport Terminal Services, or SATS, intends to spend S$23 million to upgrade its cargo logistics and inflight catering services.

It is part of the ground handler's effort to maintain its competitive edge.

SATS is seeking to expand its business, and is looking to India and China for growth.

More authentic ethnic cuisines, new premier or special needs lounges, and faster and better tracking systems for baggage and cargo -- these are just some of the improvements that SATS is aiming for.

Much of the S$23 million will be spent on beefing up its cargo logistics abilities.

Said Ng Chin Hwee, president and CEO of SATS, "We've always reviewed our needs for upgrades regularly. The upgrade we're talking about is not aimed at increasing revenue per se, but also to ensure that our processing and on-time delivery and uplift improves for the benefit of the airline, of the cargo community."

SATS is the leading ground services player in Changi Airport with a market share of about 80 percent.

With the lion's share of the domestic market in hand, it is looking to expand overseas, and is currently in talks to form joint ventures in China, India and the Middle East.

SATS is also hiring native speakers from these key markets to work in Singapore in anticipation of higher passenger volumes from these areas.

Said Mr Ng, "For the moment, we're seeing both China and India as the two key growth markets. Obviously, with the growth experiencing in the Middle East, we're hopeful that more Middle East clients are coming here as well."

Overseas associates made up nearly S$51 million, or 23 percent, of the group's pretax profit for the full year leading to March 31.

This is up 49 percent from S$33.8 million a year earlier. – CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

S'pore to Qatar non-stop flights every day

19 Jul 05

By Arthur Poon

QATAR Airways announced yesterday it will fly non-stop daily from Singapore to Doha in Qatar, as well as use a larger-capacity aircraft.

The airline introduced the service in response to growing demand from both business and leisure travellers since Singapore and Qatar forged closer economic ties.

Qatar Airways chief executive Akbar Al Baker told The Straits Times yesterday: 'The closer exchanges between the two countries mean there is a lot of interest from Singapore companies establishing offices in Qatar, to take advantage of our economic development.'

Singapore signed its first Middle East free trade deal with Jordan last year and is expected to conclude a similar agreement with Qatar soon. Trade pacts with Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates are also in the pipeline.

Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore showed passenger traffic between Singapore and the Middle East cities of Bahrain, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai went up by 57 per cent to 380,404 last year, from 242,115 in 2003.

Qatar Airways' previous Singapore-Doha route, introduced in November 2003, had a stopover in Kuala Lumpur. Earlier this year, the airline increased the number of services from five times a week to every day.

The new direct flights will use the bigger Airbus A330-200 aircraft, which seats 271, instead of the A300s now in use, which have fewer than 250 seats.

The airline faces stiff competition from regional rival Emirates, based in Dubai. By October, Emirates will increase its own services from 18 times a week to 24, to meet an upsurge in demand.

Dubai, which Emirates uses as its hub, has long been regarded as Doha's rival in the race to be crowned gateway to the Middle East.

Qatar Airways, which uses Doha as a hub connecting travellers to Gulf states like Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, plans to open its new US$5.5 billion (S$9.3 billion) airport in 2009. When fully completed in 2015, the airport will be able to handle more than 50 million passengers a year.

Dubai airport, meanwhile, is undergoing an expansion that will increase its capacity to 70 million passengers a year by 2008.

July 23, 2005
S'pore-India open-skies talks soon?

SINGAPORE and India will likely meet next month to start negotiations for an open-skies agreement, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said yesterday.

The liberalisation of air services between the countries was advocated by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong when he signed the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement with New Delhi last month.

Meanwhile, similar talks with Australia have been delayed as new Australian Transport Minister Warren Truss took over from his predecessor, Mr John Anderson, only earlier this month.

'There is an inevitable delay with a new minister on board, for him to familiarise with the issues,' Mr Yeo said. 'We look forward to Mr Truss settling down quickly, so we can begin talks with him.'

In February, Singapore and Australia committed to a 'road map' towards an open-skies agreement, though the Australian government has yet to agree to a concrete schedule.

Last month, the Australian government again deferred a decision to award Singapore Airlines the right to fly directly from Australia to the United States, a profitable route fiercely protected by Qantas.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

04 August 2005

Singapore, Sri Lanka sign Open Skies Agreement
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

Singapore and Sri Lanka have signed an Open Skies Agreement which allows airlines of both countries to operate passenger flights between and beyond Sri Lanka and Singapore.

And there'll be no restrictions on capacity, routing or aircraft type.

The agreement was signed on Thursday by Permanent Secretary for Transport Choi Shing Kwok and Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Singapore Shehan Ratnavale.

Singapore's Transport Ministry says this complements the agreement on cargo services that was concluded in the previous round of consultations in October 2003.

The Ministry adds that the Open Skies Agreement will pave the way for continued traffic growth and provide opportunities for the airlines of both countries to grow.

The Agreement had come into effect in November last year, after the conclusion of negotiations and the initialling of documents.

Since then, Sri Lankan Airlines has increased its operations from 9 to 12 weekly services, and Singapore Airlines currently operates 7 weekly services between Singapore and Colombo.

Other airlines serving Sri Lanka and Singapore include Cathay Pacific and Emirates.

Passenger movements between Singapore and Sri Lanka grew 10% while air freight movements grown 16% from January to June 2005, compared to the same period last year. - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 05 Aug 2005

S'pore's air hub status under threat: minister

SINGAPORE - Singapore's status as one of Asia's main air hubs is threatened by the emergence of larger long-range aircraft and the upgrading of rival airports in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Dubai, a senior official said on Friday.

Balaji Sadasivan, senior minister of state for information, communications and the arts, said Singapore's thriving aerospace industry was largely dependent on the Republic's standing as the fourth largest air hub in Asia.

'This status, however, is being threatened by other regional airports such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Dubai,' he said in a speech to unionised workers, including some from the aerospace industry.

'These airports have in recent years been actively upgrading and improving themselves while aggressively cutting handling charges in a bid to pull in more air traffic, threatening to seriously undermine Singapore's position as a global air hub.

'In addition, the emergence of long haul aircraft, like Airbus A380 (super-jumbo), means that aircraft are now able to fly longer distances without stopping mid-journey and threaten to bypass Changi Airport. Airlines travel routes could be altered with fewer stops or no stops at all at transit airports.'

On the positive side, Mr Sadasivan said budget airlines were expected to boost the aerospace industry because they were likely to outsource their maintenance, repair and overhaul needs to keep costs low.

He said it was important for workers in the industry to realise the challenges faced by Singapore. 'We must zealously guard Singapore's status as a regional air hub and not let complacency set in,' he told the gathering to mark Singapore's 40th independence day on August 9.

To ensure that Singapore retains its competitive edge, the aerospace industry must improve its service offers and develop cheaper solutions for customers, he said.

The aerospace industry accounts for 13,000 jobs, with about 100 aerospace companies in operation, among them global giants like Pratt and Whitney, General Electric, Honeywell and Rolls Royce. Home-grown firms include SIA Engineering and ST Aerospace.

The industry last year posted record output of $4.5 billion, up 16.3 per cent from 2003.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Aug 9, 2005
S'pore, Indonesia ink pact for more air links

SINGAPORE and Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding to expand bilateral air services yesterday.

The memorandum formalised an in-principle agreement reached by Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong and Indonesian Minister for Communications Hatta Rajasa in May this year.

Under the agreement, Singapore's full-service carriers are allowed to operate more flights to Jakarta and Denpasar in Bali.

Currently, Singapore Airlines and Valuair operate a total of 126 weekly flights to Jakarta, and SIA operates 42 to Bali.

In return, Indonesian carriers will be given more 'fifth freedom traffic rights' - more rights to pick up passengers from Singapore and offload them in another country.

For Garuda Airlines, this means it could operate more than the current 20 weekly flights from Changi Airport to Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Beijing and Shanghai, or add more cities.

The memorandum was inked by Permanent Secretary (Transport) Choi Shing Kwok, and Indonesia's director-general of air communications, Mr Mohammad Iksan Tatang, yesterday.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Ministry of Transport said: 'The enhanced air links will accommodate the increased demand for travel by businessmen and tourists between Singapore and Indonesia.

'This agreement also signifies the commitment on both sides to further strengthen aviation links between the two countries.'

It added that officials would meet again soon for further discussions.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 11 Aug 2005

Changi airport sees surge in July passenger traffic

SINGAPORE - Passenger traffic at Singapore's Changi airport in July reached 2.89 million, the highest monthly level so far this year, aviation authorities said on Thursday.

Last month's figures were 8.2 per cent higher than a year ago and exceeded traffic in the traditionally busy month of June when 2.81 million passengers passed through the airport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

It gave no reason for the strong performance in July but that month was an exceptionally busy period for the tourist sector as the Republic played host to the week-long International Olympic Committee meeting to select the city for the 2012 Summer Games.

July also included the last three weeks of annual Great Singapore Sale shopping festival which attracts tens of thousands of shopaholics from neighbouring countries.

In the first seven months of 2005, passenger traffic was up 7.4 per cent to 18.3 million from a year ago, the airport operator said.

Cargo traffic in July was 2.2 per cent higher at 154,000 tonnes while in the January-July period, it jumped 1.7 per cent to 1.02 million tonnes.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

DUTY FREE at Changi Airport ROCKS!!!!!!!!! Its like there are shops EVERYWHERE... At Kaohsiung International Airport, there was only like 1 shop in the transit area... Yeah the comparison is not fair, but the contrast is stark...

DUTY FREE at Changi Airport ROCKS!!!!!!!!! Its like there are shops EVERYWHERE... At Kaohsiung International Airport, there was only like 1 shop in the transit area... Yeah the comparison is not fair, but the contrast is stark...

No pictures?? :D

i totally agree with u...........
the whole area is full of stuff to do..........
the last time i visited it...........
the just had a renovation and new shops.................
and they now have internet services and the garden is just pretty.............
and the staffs are nice too.............
for got bout the shops........
they're all very nice...............

I LUV CHANGI...........

16 August 2005

Changi Airport ready for A380 super jumbos

SINGAPORE : Singapore's ultramodern Changi Airport on Tuesday unveiled its first gate capable of handling the Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial jetliner, which is due for delivery next year.

Singapore Airlines will be the launch customer for the aircraft. It has ordered 10 A380s with 15 more on option.

"For Changi Airport, the A380 will accentuate the trend of more passengers congregating at large hub airports," Minister of State for Transport Lim Hwee Hua said at the launch of Changi's first A380-compatible gate.

"We can expect more passengers to stop in Singapore for a stay, and an even greater number of transit and transfer passengers to pass through Changi."

Lim said Singapore will spare no efforts to be ready for the launch of the "super jumbo" jet.

Changi Airport has already spent 60 million Singapore dollars (36 million US) on improving existing facilities and infrastructure to accommodate the arrival of the double-decker plane capable of carrying up to 555 passengers.

"As an international air hub, Changi Airport must be well-positioned to handle the demands of the new A380 aircraft... otherwise, our competitors would only be too ready to roll out the red carpet to welcome any relocating airlines," Lim said.

Amid the anticipation of a new era in travel, Singapore Airlines has expressed unhappiness over the delay of the first A380, which was supposed to take place in April 2006. The timetable has now been pushed back to November.

Last year, Changi Airport enjoyed its busiest year ever handling a record 30.35 million passengers and 1.78 million tonnes of cargo.- AFP /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Picture of the A380 capable gate with 3 aerobridges.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/hitesh_g/Pix3.jpg

A new scale model of SIA's A380 set to be displayed in Changi Terminal 2.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v290/hitesh_g/Pix2.jpg

Business Times - 16 Aug 2005

Changi can't rest on laurels

TWO months ago, there was an article in an aviation magazine highlighting a survey of global airports by J D Power and Associates. It rated passenger satisfaction at large and medium-sized airports based on eight weighted criteria - accessibility, check-in, security, terminal facilities, food and beverage, retail stores, baggage claim and immigration/customs. Airports surveyed handled more than 10 million passengers.

What was remarkable about this survey was not that it ranked Singapore Changi as No 1 overall, ahead of Hong Kong and other leading airports. The really remarkable thing was that Changi ranked tops in every category, prompting Aviation Week & Space Technologies to note: 'When it comes to passenger satisfaction at the world's airports, there's Singapore Changi and there's everybody else.'

Indeed, even without this survey, most passengers who have passed through Changi would have been impressed with its efficiency, user-friendliness and cheery ambience. Last year, 30 million passengers passed through the airport. Over 18 million have used Changi Airport so far this year, representing a 7.4 per cent climb over the corresponding period last year. It also handled 1.02 million tonnes of cargo between January and July, which is 1.7 per cent up year on year. Today, Changi Airport offers more than 3,800 weekly flights to 170 cities in 50 countries, providing the connectivity that makes the airport a bustling hub. But its status as a pan-Asian hub is under threat. A combination of advances in aviation technology and the liberalisation of air routes has opened the door to unparalleled growth in both passenger and cargo traffic. It has also prompted changes in flight routes.

Today, a flight from Europe to Australia can stop over in either Dubai or Bangkok, instead of Singapore. Others like Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai are also aggressively pursuing hub-ambitions. The emergence of super long-range aircraft such as the Boeing 777-200LR and the Airbus 340-500 poses an even bigger challenge to hubs like Singapore, which can be bypassed.

Changi's rise to become Asia's 4th largest hub has fuelled Singapore's thriving aerospace industry, which employs over 13,000 people and accounts for over $4.5 billion in output. Changi hub has also made Singapore an attractive pan-Asian logistics hub and supply chain management nerve centre. But Changi is not sitting idly by in the face of competition. Incentives like the Air Hub Development Fund, first introduced in 2003, have proven effective in attracting airlines here. A new $300 million fund to strengthen Changi's hub status will kick in next year when the current $210 million fund expires this year. Changi has also been courting low cost airlines with its $45 million Low Cost Terminal, which will be ready next year. But the real ace in its pack is Singapore Airlines. As long as SIA remains the world beater that it is, and provides the kind of hub-spoke connectivity out of Changi which no other airline or airport can match, Changi will remain a leading Asian hub. Still, given the changes in the industry, it cannot rest on its laurels.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

17 August 2005

CIAS spends S$11m in revamp to improve airport services
By Anjana Menon, Channel NewsAsia

Changi International Airport Services is unveiling a brand new look.

The airport ground handler - which was bought by Dubai-based Emirates Group last year - now has a new logo.

At the same time, CIAS is spending millions of dollars to revitalise its services at the airport as it copes with increasing competition and price pressure.

Starting from Thursday, travellers to Changi Airport will be able to relax in a brand new lounge called SkyLounge.

The lounge is part of a series of initiatives announced by CIAS to keep its competitive edge.

Gary Chapman, Chairman, CIAS, said: "We've had considerable investment in new equipment, new facilities, new high loaders for the catering unit, expanding the catering unit and the investment in the new lounge at the airport for the passengers. That totals S$11 million. We see that as an investment in the future. It's about maintaining the high standards of service that's expected of us.''

But the company notes that rising oil pressures will put a pressure on margins.

Mr Chapman said: "You've got fuel costs representing 30 percent of an airline's cost, traditionally it used to be 10 to 12 percent. So the airlines are under pressure and they are looking at ways to cut costs without impacting on the service. We as a service to the aviation industry are going to be under pressure.''

Right now CIAS has a 20 percent share of the Singapore market.

It is looking for growth opportunities in the region in particular China and India, where air travel is booming. - CNA /ch

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 24 Aug 2005

S'pore, Australia agree to work on open skies issue

By NANDE KHIN

SINGAPORE and Australia yesterday reached broad agreement on a range of economic issues including working towards open skies and successful outcome in world trade talks.

In a joint statement issued after high level talks in Perth, the ministers reiterated both countries' desire to increase bilateral transport cooperation and work towards an Open Skies Air Services Agreement in the near future.

The Australian ministers 'reaffirmed that the Australian government was considering the issue of open skies in the context of a broader review of international aviation market developments and the position of Australian international carriers'.

Singapore Airlines has been pursuing greater access to the lucrative Kangaroo route and Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong floated the idea of an alliance between the national carriers of the two countries.

These issues were noted by ministers of the two countries yesterday during the Fifth Meeting of the Singapore-Australia Joint Ministerial Committee.

The meeting in Perth was attended by Minister for Foreign Affairs George Yeo, Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean and their Australian counterparts, Minister for Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade Mark Vaile and Minister for Defence Robert Hill.

The ministers noted that since the signing of the Singapore-Australia Free Trade Agreement (Safta), many Singapore and Australian companies and institutions have expanded their operations in the two countries, with several of them exporting to the other country for the first time.

The Safta came into effect on July 28, 2003 and over the past two years, the Australian Trade Commission has helped 454 Australian companies - of which 208 were new exporters - to win business in Singapore with a total export value of A$319.7 million (S$401 million). Last year, trade between the two countries also reached a new high of A$14.4 billion.

The ministers also agreed to 'accord high priority' to secure an Asean-Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement. The agreement is to serve as an important building block towards further economic integration on the multilateral front. The two countries also expressed their firm commitment to secure 'an ambitious outcome' at the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong in December with a 'view towards an expeditious conclusion of the Doha Round'.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 30 Aug 2005

COMMENTARY
S'pore-India air pact is a good start, but more work remains

Opening up the Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi sector, which accounts for two-thirds of traffic, is one obvious area for future negotiations

By VEN SREENIVASAN
SENIOR CORRESPONDENT

FREQUENT travellers to India will no doubt welcome the fact that Singapore and India have moved another step forward in broadening their air services agreement.

Last week, the two countries signed an agreement for more flights between Singapore and the Indian cities of Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad. Under the deal, Singapore carriers can fly 1,480 more passengers a week to Bangalore, 640 passengers to Hyderabad and 640 to Kolkata. Indian carriers will be able to bring around 2,760 additional passengers a week to Singapore. Airlines from both countries will also have additional 'fifth freedom rights' - the ability to pick up passengers or cargo in each other's territory en route to other destinations.

The move is more important in spirit than in substance. The three cities currently account for only about a quarter of the flights between the two countries. On the other hand, the three critical points of Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi - which see the highest demand for tickets and account for two thirds of the traffic between the two countries - were left untouched by the deal. Hopefully these will be considered when officials from both sides meet again in six months to further review their air services agreement.

Nevertheless, the latest development is an important one which hopefully marks a new era in opening up of bilateral skies and markets. After all, it comes on the heels of the signing of the India-Singapore Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement recently. There are now 234 weekly scheduled passenger flights and 16 weekly scheduled freighter flights between Singapore and 11 Indian cities. These are operated by seven airlines: Singapore Airlines, SilkAir, Indian Airlines, Air India, Jetstar Asia, Jet Airways and Air Sahara.

Despite recent new entrants such as Air Sahara, Jet Airways and JetstarAsia, demand for seats has continued to grow at a dramatic rate. Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) figures show that in 2003-04, passenger and cargo traffic between Singapore and India grew 25 per cent and 23 per cent respectively to 1.5 million passengers and 86,000 tonnes of cargo. In the first half of this year alone, the number of visitors from India to Singapore rose 22 per cent to 287,987.

The result has been severe under-capacity that has forced travellers to book tickets months in advance during the high season and kept fares among the highest - in dollar-per-kilometre terms - for any major international route. On average, a return economy class ticket between Singapore and Mumbai costs about $800, depending on the season - the same as a return ticket from Singapore to London or Auckland, which are much farther. In contrast, it costs half as much to fly back and forth from Hong Kong.

Industry observers have attributed the under-capacity to the Indian government's reluctance to open its skies for fear of harming national flag carrier Air India and domestic airlines, both of which badly need fleet renewal and expansion. Already, about 80 per cent of traffic to and out of India is carried by non-Indian carriers such as Singapore Airlines, Emirates and Lufthansa.

And it hasn't escaped attention that India is now cautiously moving to open up its skies as its two national carriers' move to upgrade their respective fleets.

But back to the Singapore-based air traveller to India. The big question on his mind will be whether any of this will have any impact on the exorbitant fares he has to cough up for tickets. Not likely, at least not in the near term.

While there will be seasonal spikes and troughs in a competitive and diverse market such as India when new players emerge (Air Sahara is currently selling return tickets to New Delhi at under S$150, while JetStar is selling round trip tickets to Kolkata at around S$180), capacity is clearly not growing system-wide in tandem with demand.

The additional 2,760 seats from the latest agreement will be distributed among the five Singapore carriers (including the three budget carriers) by the Air Traffic Rights Committee (ATRC) in a competitive 'bidding' process.

Pressure on fares will start when two more things happen. First, the three Singapore budget carriers must successfully get some of the rights allocated by the ATRC, then start offering competitive fares on them. Second, and perhaps more importantly, India has to offer more rights to the three most popular points in the country: Chennai, Mumbai and New Delhi.

It does not take a genius to figure out the impact of Tiger Airways, Valuair, and Jetstar Asia operating flights between Changi and these three cities. One only has to look at Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia flights to Manila for an indication of the potential.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Sept 3, 2005
Changi may drop bid for India airport
But Indian partner in consortium seeking to manage air hubs denies talk of pullout

By Ravi Velloor
India Bureau Chief

NEW DELHI - SINGAPORE Changi Airport may pull out of a consortium bidding for rights to manage airports being privatised in New Delhi and Mumbai, India's biggest metros.

Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, whose Bharti Enterprises is the lead partner in the consortium, returned from Singapore on Thursday night after a hectic lobbying effort to make the project stand, sources on the island said.

Mr Mittal runs Bharti Televentures, India's No. 1 cellular services provider in which SingTel is a joint venture partner. Bharti spokesman Raj Sekhar said the company's relationship with Changi continues to be 'as strong as ever'.

'The tender documents have just come out. Both teams are studying the tender documents and preparing to bid for Delhi airport,' Mr Sekhar said in a telephone interview.

An investment banker familiar with the airport sale plan told The Straits Times that the sticking point for Changi could be the conditions imposed by the Indian government. Alternatively, it could mean dissonance between the joint venture partners.

'In this case, I would say the former is more the case. It seems in Changi's assessment the project's viability may be in question,' he said.

For that reason, says a Singapore-based person familiar with the matter, Changi may prefer to be a consultant to the project rather than an equity partner.

A decision by Singapore to refrain from joining the bidding is bound to be received with a measure of disappointment in India, given Changi's reputation as one of the world's best-known airport operators.

CAAS subsidiary Champs (Changi Airport Management and Partners Singapore) is the company that is participating in the bid. CAAS's response to queries was not available at press time.

India's civil aviation ministry sent 'transaction documents' to the bidders this week, seeking technical and financial bids by Sept 14.

The Indian government wants to pick bidders by the end of the year from the eight consortiums it short-listed earlier.

Aside from Changi, other global airport operators who were sent the transaction documents include Fraport AG, Malaysia Airports Bhd and Hochtief Airport GmbH. Malaysia Airports is also building a new airport with GMR Group in southern Hyderabad city.

Analysts said the Bharti-Changi consortium was seen as the front runner to win the mandate for the Delhi airport. In fact, Malaysia Airports' former partner DLF Group, which has a massive landbank close to Delhi airport, had switched sides to join it.

Foreign companies that make successful bids will have to spend 151 billion rupees (S$6 billion) on upgrading the two facilities, according to the government's assessment.

According to the upgrade plan, overseas and Indian private companies will be allowed to buy 74 per cent of the two airports and manage them for 30 years. The state-run Airports Authority of India will hold the remainder.

The government will give the contract to the company which agrees to share the maximum revenue, Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad told reporters this week. They will also have the 'first right' to bid and manage any future new airports at Mumbai or New Delhi.

No single company will be allowed to own both airports. A company that bids successfully for both will have to choose which facility it wants to keep.

India is embarking on a modernisation plan for its airports, led by Mumbai and Delhi, as existing facilities are straining to cope with the boom in domestic and international travel.

India first sought bids from local and overseas companies for owning 74 per cent of the two airports in June last year.

Following opposition from lawmakers, the government cut the stake overseas investors can own in the new airport to 49 per cent, helping domestic players enter the consortiums.

velloor@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

08 September 2005

Transport Minister Yeo to visit Gulf countries to establish more air links
By S. Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong is leading a six-day business delegation to Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates from Saturday.

He will visit key airports and airlines in these countries, and call on his counterparts.

The Transport Ministry says Mr Yeo's visit is aimed at fostering closer bilateral transport cooperation, especially in facilitating more air links with these countries.

The three Gulf countries have open skies agreements with Singapore.

In Bahrain, Mr Yeo will also witness the signing of two contracts between Fraser Serviced Residences and Seef Properties. - CNA/de

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

From the Changi Newsletter (Aug edition)

LAUNCH OF SPECIAL CARE LOUNGE

http://onetarget.oneempower.com/caas/aug05/images/SATS-Special-Care-Lounge.gif

The Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) has just launched their Special Care Lounge on 29 July 2005 to cater for passengers, arriving at and departing from Terminal 1, with special needs such as follows:
1. Passengers on wheelchairs
2. Elderly travellers or passengers with mobility disabilities
3. Unaccompanied minors and young passengers travelling alone
4. Visually-impaired and/or hearing-impaired passengers
5. Passengers on stretchers

http://onetarget.oneempower.com/caas/aug05/images/Child-Escort.gif

http://onetarget.oneempower.com/caas/aug05/images/Wheelchair-Assistance.gif

The Lounge, located at Terminal 1, is designed to help these passengers who need special assistance, to make their travel a more comfortable and hassle-free experience.

Its operating hours are from 0300 hours to 0100 hours daily. Passengers can contact the Special Care Lounge at 6541 8581 or via fax at 6541 8593 to make prior arrangements for special assistance

Sept 13, 2005

Airport bid collapse: S'pore partner blamed
Indian firm Bharti pulls plug on venture to run Delhi airport

By Ravi Velloor
India Bureau Chief

BANGALORE - INDIA'S Bharti Enterprises yesterday announced it was pulling out of a bid to run Delhi airport and blamed its Singapore partner for the aborted move.

The venture had one other Indian partner, DLF Group.

Last week, Changi Airport Managers and Partners (Champs), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) which owns and operates Changi Airport, wrote to its Indian partners that it would not be able to fulfil the conditions that New Delhi has imposed on bidders under the revised terms announced at the end of August.

But a Bharti statement issued in New Delhi yesterday said the two Indian partners both feel that while the conditions laid down in the Indian government's tender are challenging, they can be met with commitment from all partners.

However, it added: 'We cannot proceed without the commitment of Changi, as it is an essential qualification criteria to have an airport operator participate in the bidding process. Bharti is dismayed at this development.'

Selling stakes in the two airports is part of an upgrade plan in which private companies will be allowed to buy 74 per cent of the Mumbai and Delhi airports and manage them for 30 years.

The Airports Authority of India, the government body that owns all but one of the country's commercial airports, will hold the remaining 26 per cent. As many as eight groups of companies are in the running for bidding that closes tomorrow.

India first sought bids from local and overseas companies in June 2004.

The plan has been delayed because of opposition from lawmakers, after which the government cut the amount of stake overseas investors can own in the airports to 49 per cent.

Indian companies cannot bid on their own as the government bid conditions mandated that an overseas partner with a track record of running airports must be part of the bidding consortium.

Bharti's statement comes after company chairman Sunil Mittal's frantic efforts to keep the bid going failed.

It also confirms a Straits Times report two weeks ago that Champs may pull out of the consortium bid due to the stringent conditions imposed by the Indian government.

The developments are a crushing blow for Mr Mittal, who built up a company making telephone-answering machines into India's No.1 cellular phone service provider.

With Changi's participation, the consortium was widely seen as the front runner to win the contract to run Delhi airport.

Bharti, whose telecoms operation is a joint venture with SingTel, said yesterday that it had picked Changi as its partner because of its reputation as the best airport operator in the world.

'However, its efforts have been frustrated with Changi's unwillingness to commit to the key terms of the tender conditions,' it said in its statement yesterday.

velloor@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 13 Sep 2005

Hock Lock Siew
Qantas, Sats: politics at issue?

By VEN SREENIVASAN

SINGAPORE Airport Terminal Services (Sats) faces the unpleasant possibility of losing part of the Qantas ground services mandate, according to Australian media reports.

The Australian carrier is a major customer of Sats, which is 84.63 per cent owned by national carrier Singapore Airlines. Of the 7,100 flights that Sats handles at Changi each month, 310 are Qantas services.

That works out to just over 4 per cent. But in revenue terms, Qantas accounts for around 7 per cent of Sats' income. And the part of the business that's coming up for renegotiation - apron and passenger handling - accounts for between 2 and 3 per cent.

Not material, for sure, but not without some impact either. If Sats were to lose these two businesses, it could ultimately lead to the loss of the remaining parts of Qantas's ground services when contracts on them fall due for renewal next year.

But is Qantas really ready to abandon Sats - which has served it for more than 40 years - in favour of one of the other two players at Changi, Dnata-owned Changi International Airport Services (CIAS) or new-kid-on-the-block Swissport?

The two competitors would doubtless love to lure Qantas because it's the second biggest player at Changi.

CIAS, which used to be controlled by Temasek Holdings and a consortium of airlines, has proved its ability to attract Sats customers in recent years. And it's now spending about $12 million to upgrade facilities and services.

Swissport has also started expanding. It has just secured Thai AirAsia and Indonesia's Adam Air, which, with parent Swiss International, give it 48 flights a week from next month. And Swissport is talking to more airlines as its new cargo warehouse nears completion in November.

Sats, which controls 80 per cent of ground-handling at Changi, is itself spending $23 million to upgrade and expand cargo capabilities, passenger services, training and in-flight catering facilities.

At the end of the day, one would assume that Qantas will make a rational business decision based on a combination of factors, such as fees, quality of service and capabilities.

But media reports suggest politics may also be at play.

Australian newspapers have hinted that the ground-services issue could be an extension of the war of words between Qantas and SIA over whether the latter gets access to the lucrative Qantas-dominated Sydney-Los Angeles route.

Who knows? But one thing is for sure. The question mark over Qantas and Sats comes after SIA invited other ground-services operators to bid for its business in Australia - though it did so after Qantas said it wanted to raise charges annually for three years, even as competitors offered cheaper rates.

In fact, SIA is not the only airline looking to switch. Australian media reports suggest Air New Zealand is also looking for a more competitive services provider.

Losing SIA would hurt Qantas to the tune of 'tens of millions of dollars' and up to 300 jobs, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.

The whole episode also puts the spotlight on the 'reciprocity' principle that has traditionally governed how national airlines offer support services to one another.

In the past they offered preferential rates in exchange for similar courtesy. But recent divestments of non-core businesses by some airlines and the entry of independent ground-services players have broken up these symbiotic relationships.

For example, Patrick Air Services, which SIA is said to have chosen in Australia, was not in the picture when SIA and Qantas tied up their ground-services deal decades ago.

SIA itself toyed with the idea of divesting Sats two years ago but decided otherwise after the sums showed the ground-services subsidiary makes a steady and consistent contribution to the group's bottom line.

Whatever decision Qantas makes will have an impact - albeit small - on Sats. If it stays, it is likely to do so because Sats cuts its charges further. If not, Sats could lose up to 3 per cent of revenue, and more after that. But whatever happens, the eventual outcome should be based on hard-nosed business calculations - not politics.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

by Weiliang

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9340/changi1en.jpg

Wow! Nice pic

black and white is so classic.............

Sept 15, 2005
NEWS ANALYSIS

Why Delhi airport deal went wrong
Changi manager's venture with Indian partners looked like a winner, but it was not to be

By Ravi Velloor
India Bureau Chief

BANGALORE - WHAT began as a promising partnership that many bet would clinch India's airport privatisation deal has gone all wrong.

Singapore's Changi Airport Managers and Partners (Champs) came armed with a reputation for running one of the best airports in the world, but told its Indian partners last week that it would not be able to fulfil the conditions that New Delhi has imposed on bidders under the revised terms announced at the end of last month.

The problems it had with the new conditions caused the bid to be aborted and clearly displeased the lead partner in the consortium, India's Bharti Enterprises.

And India's government is embarrassed, more so because another international consortium - involving German airport operator Hochtief - also withdrew its bid for Mumbai airport on Tuesday.

There are even dark suggestions in the media about Singapore's reluctance to see high-quality aviation hubs coming up in India.

So what went wrong?

To begin with, the revised tender announced late last month put excessive performance obligations exclusively on the foreign partners in the projects. They were to guarantee not just project deadlines, but revenue yields as well.

In a nation notorious for project delays, that meant agreeing to a deadline and preparing for the possibility of losing their reputations by asking for extensions.

What is more, even as India's domestic air traffic is expanding by as much as a fifth every year, no planner could ignore the fact that the powerful Left parties, on whose support the Indian government stands, have been opposing the privatisation of the airports and suggesting alternative ways to improve the facilities.

The obvious counterweight to that was the undoubted financial and political muscle of the Indian partners, Bharti and the DLF Group, a real estate company with a huge land bank close to the Delhi airport.

But in Singapore, where many key officials still remain unfamiliar with India's dynamics, the strengths that Bharti and DLF brought to the table were perhaps not enough.

Besides, Singapore's political leaders have increasingly been reluctant to intervene in the commercial decisions of board-managed state companies, cutting out an avenue that Bharti chairman Sunil Mittal could have used to salvage the project.

But if Champs was a tad too cautious this time, perhaps some key markers in Singapore's contemporary involvement in Indian aviation also played a part in its decision.

In the mid-1990s, Singapore Airlines and India's highly reputed Tata Group applied under existing rules to set up a joint-venture domestic airline. Domestic pressure, chiefly from a private Indian airline, killed the project.

Inexplicably, the Indian government then announced new rules that allowed all but foreign airlines to take a stake in Indian domestic carriers. In short, a company making popiah could apply for an airline joint venture in India; Singapore Airlines, perhaps the best-managed global carrier, could not.

A year later, Singapore teamed up with the Tatas to bid for the new Bangalore airport, along with Raytheon of the United States. Again it ran into difficulties, brought on equally by the nature of Indian politics, government changes and questions about the location of the project.

Finally, after spending about a million dollars on feasibility studies, the project was shelved.

A Siemens consortium is now building Bangalore airport. Work started on July 2, some eight years behind the original schedule.

Indian officials counter such arguments by saying that Singapore was given two good opportunities to come in big into India's aviation sector.

Four years ago, it offered SIA a 49 per cent stake in Air India. SIA backed off after doing due diligence on the airline. A few months later, they say, Delhi airport's modernisation was offered to Singapore on a government-to-government basis. Again, the Republic baulked.

Singapore officials familiar with SIA's thinking say the carrier, while keen on Air India at the time, pulled out of the bid for two reasons.

Its troubles with its Air New Zealand investment had just come to a boil. What is more, SwissAir had just gone under because of its overseas investments. Against that background, SIA was reluctant to take a gamble on India.

On the Delhi airport offer, Singapore preferred to bid in an open international tender to avoid allegations of sweetheart deals that could pour out from India from a direct deal.

That said, some fallout is perhaps inevitable from this week's developments between Champs and Bharti, given Mr Mittal's bruised sentiments and the emphasis New Delhi has placed on its airport modernisation plans.

As Hochtief's announcement shows, Champs is not the only company with reservations about the conditions.

But anyone who thinks Singapore is reluctant to participate in India's infrastructure development plans only needs to visit Bangalore.

The Bangalore International Technology Park (ITPL), set up by a Singapore consortium, is a great example of world-class infrastructure. For almost a decade, it has been the benchmark for similar projects around the nation. Its presence, some 17km from the city centre, has lured dozens more IT and IT-related companies to set up shop in the area.

More tellingly, ITPL today commands floor rates even higher than newer buildings that are coming up closer to the city.

velloor@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 15 Sep 2005

Nippon Express to build its Asean hub here

LOGISTICS giant Nippon Express (NES) will build its South-east Asia hub at the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore (ALPS). A 15,000 square metre Free Trade Zone located next to Changi Airport, the hub will allow Nippon to provide one-stop logistics services more conveniently.

The hub, comprising an office block and warehouse space, will be completed in Q4 2006. It will be NES's third facility in Singapore.

NES says this new centre will specialise in international freight transportation, inventory management, trade facilitation, regional trans-shipment and other such services. Linking its ALPS location with its existing, ocean-related site in the west, NES will be better equipped to integrate its air and sea services.

It is also well poised to meet companies' increasing demand for air-related logistics services. NES said its business in this sector has increased by 280 per cent over the last three years, putting pressure on its existing air-related facility at the Changi South Distrizone. The hub will bring NES's total warehouse space here to 60,000 sq m, which will better enable the firm to meet demand.

The hub will also enable NES to consolidate its operations in one facility, instead of relying on the several leased facilities it has used so far. This consolidation, the company hopes, will enhance its competitiveness. It is particularly keen to attract businesses in the high-tech and automotive sectors.

NES has invested a total of $100 million in Singapore, and further investments are planned for the upgrading of its IT infrastructure, warehouse management systems, systems integration and automation of processes. NES hopes to grow its market share by 5 per cent with the building of the hub.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

21 September 2005

Singapore airport handles more passengers, cargo in August

SINGAPORE : Singapore's Changi Airport handled 2.78 million passengers in August, up 7.0 percent from last year, the airport operator said Wednesday, in another sign travel demand remains steady despite higher oil prices.

In the eight months to August, 21.12 million passengers passed through Changi, up 7.3 percent, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

Changi handled some 152,000 tonnes of cargo in August, up 3.4 percent from a year earlier, while for the eight months, it totalled 1.18 million tonnes, up 1.9 percent.

Changi Airport is currently served by more than 80 airlines connecting to more than 180 cities worldwide.- AFP /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Sept 23, 2005
Tiger is only carrier set for low-cost terminal
Other budget airlines yet to sign up for new Changi site, to be ready early next year

By Arthur Poon

WITH just months to the opening of the new low-cost terminal at Changi Airport, only one airline has so far signed up to use it - Tiger Airways.

Singapore's other low-cost airline, Jetstar Asia, said yesterday that moving to the new terminal is not a priority as it focuses on consolidating the company following its recent merger with Valuair.

A Jetstar spokesman said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) had invited the company to use the new terminal. 'The proposal is under evaluation but there is no time frame for us to reach a conclusion.'

Budget travellers may not be worse off if Jetstar forgoes the lower charges at the new terminal, as they can continue to enjoy the better facilities offered at Terminal 1, said Mr Vincent Ng, an aviation analyst with Standard and Poor's Equity Research.

Another budget carrier expected to use the low-cost terminal, Thai AirAsia - an associate of Malaysia's AirAsia - said it has not even been wooed.

AirAsia chief executive Tony Fernandes said: 'We are keen to utilise the new low-cost terminal given that the cost and facilities are right. But no one has approached Thai AirAsia on this yet.'

Thai AirAsia has been flying between Singapore and Bangkok since February last year.

The low-cost terminal will be about a twelfth the size of Changi's Terminal 1, with a capacity to handle about 2.7 million passengers a year. The $45 million single-storey complex is expected to be completed early next year.

Asked if Tiger may turn out to be the only carrier using the terminal, a CAAS spokesman replied: 'There are other airlines which have expressed interest and we will continue to discuss with them on their needs. We welcome all carriers to use the low-cost terminal if it meets their operational requirements.'

She declined to comment on whether the interested parties included full-service carriers.

So far, only 'Tiger Airways confirmed that it will be using the low-cost terminal when it is ready', the spokesman said.

This week, Tiger said it hoped to fly three million passengers next year, a sixfold increase from this year, due to planned expansions in the airline's fleet and network.

Tiger will experiment with 'pan-regional' routes - those that bypass Singapore - by introducing a Manila-Macau service from next month. However, most of its passengers are still expected to pass through Singapore and this could mean Tiger alone could provide the level of traffic the new terminal needs to succeed.

Tiger's chief executive, Mr Tony Davis, said: 'The terminal provides us with a lower cost base, allowing us to keep our costs down and this, in turn, helps us to keep our fares low.'

However, he declined to say how much his airline would enjoy in cost savings.

Airlines that use the terminal could cut their parking and other charges by 25 per cent, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said in May.

According to the latest CAAS figures, budget carriers now account for 9 per cent of Changi's scheduled weekly flights, operating 179 flights to 17 cities. It is a dramatic increase from just six months ago, when they operated only 70 weekly flights to six cities.

The opening of the low-cost terminal may coincide with that of the RM108 million (S$48 million) no-frills terminal at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

The Changi facility will have separate arrival and departure halls with their own duty-free retail outlets. It will, however, not have expensive plasma TVs, travellators or aerobridges.

Passengers will also have to walk 15m to 20m on the tarmac between the terminal and the aircraft.

arthurp@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved

Business Times - 28 Sep 2005

CAAS unit wanted Delhi airport bid to proceed

Champs refutes partner Bharti's claims it pulled out at last minute

By ANGELA TAN

CHANGI Airport Managers and Partners (Champs) - a partner in the consortium that was in the race to run the New Delhi international airport - yesterday dismissed claims by India's Bharti Enterprise that it suddenly pulled out of the project.

Champs - a unit of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), which owns and operates Changi Airport - said it was in fact prepared to proceed with the bid.

The CAAS unit was responding to consortium partner Bharti Enterprise's assertion in a BT report yesterday that Champs had withdrawn from the project suddenly. In an interview with BT on Monday, Rajan Mittal, joint managing director of Bharti Enterprise, said he was 'very disillusioned and surprised' by Champs' last minute withdrawal.

In a reply to BT query, Champs yesterday reiterated that it was prepared to proceed with the bid.

'Champs recommended that the consortium submit a bid based on what Champs viewed as a project time-line and service quality requirements that the consortium would be able to meet,' Champs said, adding: 'Champs believes that it is preferable to state at the time of the submission of the bid what in its view the consortium would be able to deliver and successfully complete within the time-line. This would minimise subsequent disputes, especially for a major iconic project such as this.'

Earlier this month, Bharti said Champs informed its partners that it would not be able to fulfil the conditions laid down by the Indian government. Without Champs, both Bharti and its other partner, India's real-estate group DLF, cannot proceed with the bid as it is an essential qualification criterion to have an airport operator participate in the bidding.

Champs said in an earlier statement that on Sept 9, when all bidders were required to confirm their acceptance of the final bid documents, Bharti decided to seek an extension of the time-lines for the bid submission from the authorities in order for the consortium to present its views on the concerns.

It added then: 'Champs has just learnt that Bharti and the DLF group have decided not to proceed with the bid. Champs regrets that the consortium is not able to bid for this prestigious airport project after working on the bid process over the last two years.'

Champs partnered Bharti and DLF to form Bharti Changi Consortium to bid for the right to modernise and upgrade the Delhi airport. Champs had said it joined the consortium as a proposed minority equity partner and that its role would be that of the proposed airport operator to the consortium. 'As in most large scale projects, it is not uncommon for the terms and conditions of the bid to differ from the expectations of the bidders,' Champs added.

Bharti and Champs had divergent views over how the consortium should address the outstanding critical issues and the approach taken to resolve them. These include the stipulated project time-line for the new terminal, service quality requirements and in particular, conditions in one of the key bid documents which cast a significant portion of the obligations of managing and operating the airport on the airport operator along with a stipulated performance bank guarantee.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Keeping fees fair

Air hub fund extended for 3 years with increased budget

Friday • September 30, 2005

Tor Ching Li
chingli@newstoday.com.sg

AIRLINES landing in Singapore can continue to enjoy savings until 2008, as the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will be extending and enlarging its Air Hub Development Fund.

The fund was due to expire at the end of the year.

A CAAS spokesperson told Today that the $210 million fund — which was introduced in 2002 to reinforce Singapore's air hub status — will continue for another three years at an increased budget of $300 million.

This represents a substantial mark-up of 43 per cent.

The fund, which allows airlines to enjoy discounts on landing fees and gives rental discounts to airport tenants, is intended to tide the aviation industry over turbulent times.

When it was introduced in 2002, the industry was reeling from the 911 terrorist attacks and Sars.

Regional competition was also heating up, with several new airports opening in Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Bangkok and Seoul.

Said OCBC investment research manager Rohan Suppiah: "Now, the air hub competition is just as intense, if not more so.

"Airline operation costs have also escalated, primarily due to fuel costs.

"This move can be seen as Changi wanting to cement its position as an air hub of the region, and to help the aviation industry recover."

Under the fund, the more than 80 airlines that land at Changi and Seletar airports enjoy a 15-per-cent discount on aircraft landing fees.

Based on the three-hour average turnaround time for an aircraft, this means that an airline operating a Boeing 747-400 aircraft will pay a total landing fee of $3,732 instead of $4,334 — resulting in a savings of $602.

The landing fee for an Airbus A320-200 will be $701 instead of $796, resulting in savings of $95.

Over the past three years, the fund has generated about $90 million in savings for the airlines using Changi Airport.

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 30 Sep 2005

S'pore to offer transit visitors with free city tour

SINGAPORE - Singapore will offer free city tours and airport shower facilities to transit passengers in a bid to enhance its position as a regional travel hub, the Singapore Tourism Board said on Friday.

From Saturday, passengers in transit at Changi Airport can hop on a free shuttle bus that will bring them to three popular destinations -- Suntec City shopping mall, Little India and Parkway Parade near the beach, it said.

Visitors preferring to move around on their own would be given a 'tourist day pass'.

This will entitle them to free rides within a 24-hour period on the subway train system, which connects the airport to the rest of the city-state.

'On their return to the airport, transit passengers can choose to freshen up with a choice of a food or drink voucher or a complimentary use of airport shower facilities,' STB said in a statement.

More than five million transit passengers pass through Singapore's Changi Airport annually.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

cool................

04 October 2005

Changi Airport to launch self-service kiosks for check-in next year
By Jeana Wong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Do-it-yourself check in will be available at Changi Airport from next year.

Tech-savvy travellers will be able to check themselves in at self-service kiosks.

And if you have baggage with you, the Civil Aviation Authority says provisions will be made so such passengers can use the kiosks too.

Globally, passenger traffic grew almost 9 percent in the first half of the year, due in part to an increasing number of first-time travellers.

This rapid growth brings challenges to the travel industry to be more efficient, and CAAS' plans to introduce the kiosks will improve passenger flow. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

From the October edition of Friends of Changi

http://onetarget.oneempower.com/caas/oct05/airline.htm

AIRLINE UPDATES

Adam Air launches flights between Singapore and Jakarta

From October 2005, Indonesia’s private carrier, Adam Air, will offer three daily services between Singapore and Jakarta, operated by Boeing 737-400 aircrafts. Passengers to Jakarta can also enjoy connecting flights to the airline's 15 domestic Indonesian destinations, including Medan, Surabaya and Bali.

Garuda Increases its Shanghai and Denpasar Services, Reduces Medan Services

Garuda Indonesia has increased its services between Singapore and Shanghai from 3 to 4 times a week, departing every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Its services between Singapore and Denpasar have also increased from 7 to 10 times a week, with additional flights departing every Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. However, the carrier has reduced its daily service between Singapore and Medan to 4 weekly services, departing every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. With the change in services, Garuda now operates 98 flights weekly through Singapore.

Emirates Launches Additional Flights through Singapore

Come 30 October 2005, Emirates will offer 6 additional flights weekly through Singapore. Three flights will serve the Dubai to Singapore route, via Jakarta, while another three flights will fly from Singapore to Dubai, via Kuala Lumpur. With the additional services, Emirates now operates 24 weekly services through Singapore.

Cool!

When it comes to an airport with services and amenities which match that of a hotel and a shopping mall, Changi's Airport fits that description very well.

Friday October 7
Changi Airport Auctioning Electronics Goods From Just S$1

SINGAPORE, Oct 7 Asia Pulse - The latest technological and electronic marvels could be yours for as little as S$1 each this month if you're travelling through Changi Airport.

The 'S$1 Gadget Bid,' which is open to those who spend a minimum of S$50 (US$29.70) at any retail or food & beverage outlet at the airport, is the brainchild of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

The unique auction, which will accept bids from as little as S$1, forms part of the airport's annual 'Digital Connection 2005' fair, which showcases the latest photographic equipment, lifestyle electronics and computer products.

"IT and electronic products offered at Changi Airport are very popular especially among the Australians, Chinese, Europeans and Indians travellers," Wong Woon Liong, Director-General of Civil Aviation, CAAS, said in a statement.

"Our shops are among the first to roll out the latest products, such as current hits like the iPod Nano and Panasonic Lumix FX8.

"Departing passengers are also attracted to the 5 per cent Goods & Services Tax (GST) savings on their purchases at the airport, and the international warranty for IT products."

Four auctions are to be conducted daily and some of the items up for bidding include the Apple iPod Nano, Canon Digital IXUS i5 , Panasonic Lumix FX8 digital camera, O2 Xphone II, Toshiba Qosimo notebook and IT accessories like optical mouse and notebook bags.

"Sales for last year's IT show at Changi Airport surpassed 2003's by more than 70 per cent," Wong added.

"We hope that the month-long 'Digital Connection' this year will spur sales further for products in our IT/electronics category.--ASIA PULSE

Copyright © 2005AsiaPulse Pte. Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oct 8, 2005
Electronic goods from $1 at airport
'Gadget Bid' is part of Changi's new push to beat competition from regional rivals

By Arthur Poon

FIRST, there were free showers and city tours. Now, travellers passing through Changi Airport are lured with ultra-cheap electronic goods as the airport keeps up the fight to stay ahead of the competition.

Travellers who spend at least $50 at any retail or food outlet this month can make a bid - starting at $1 - for any of 20 electronic items such as MP3 players, digital cameras and notebook computers auctioned daily.

The move is part of Changi's push to retain its hub status, and fend off competition from regional rivals like Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Bangkok's new US$3.7 billion (S$6.2 billion) Suvarnabhumi Airport expected to be ready next June.

Earlier this month, freebies like two-hour city tours and drinks were dished out by the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) as part of its push to make Singapore 'the World's Biggest Transit Lounge'.

Now, Changi hopes to be a shopping paradise and increase revenue from non-airline charges.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said it is able to keep operating costs of airlines at Changi low and competitive because about 60 per cent of the airport's revenue comes from non-aeronautical sources such as fees from duty-free retail and food and beverage operators.

A spokesman said CAAS has been successful in growing Changi's commercial revenue 'as we are always on the lookout for new ideas to enhance the commercial potential of the airport, be it through offering new retail concepts, or by increasing the revenue streams from existing retail space'.

For the year ended March 31, non-aeronautical revenue was $559 million, up 16 per cent from a year ago.

The '$1 Gadget Bid' will not only generate a buzz among travellers, but also attract them to check out the latest IT and electronic offerings at Changi stores, CAAS director-general Wong Woon Liong said at yesterday's launch of Digital Connection 2005.

The annual fair, held at the airport, showcases the latest electronic equipment.

Mr Wong said IT and electronic products offered at Changi are very popular, 'especially among European, Australian, Indian and Chinese travellers'.

One lucky traveller yesterday was Swede Ted Boman, who walked away with a Creative Zen Touch MP3 music player worth $489, following his winning bid of $230.

The 31-year-old sales manager, who was at Changi for a three-hour transit, loved the auction concept.

Another traveller, Singaporean Koh Kok Leng, 50, paid just $401 for a Panasonic Portable DVD player worth $1,099.

'Having the auction adds vibrancy. It is a better way of attracting passengers, instead of having just rows of shops like other airports,' he said.

More than five million air passengers stopped over in Singapore last year.

Eighty airlines use the airport on 3,900 weekly flights to more than 180 cities in 56 countries.

arthurp@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 11 Oct 2005

Changi Airport: S'pore's premier shopping mall

SINGAPORE - If Singapore is a shopper's paradise, Changi airport must be its golden gate.

With its plush carpeting, smartly dressed sales staff and modern decor, Changi could be mistaken for a chic mall along the Orchard Road shopping belt were it not for the signs pointing to flight boarding gates - and the jumbo jets parked beyond the glass walls.

Globetrotting shopcoholics do not even have to leave the airport premises to buy a staggering range of products, from a diamond ring costing more than US$100,000 to a can of soda worth 70 Singapore cents, or an electronic massage chair than can be delivered to your home.

'Changi is the largest shopping mall in Singapore in terms of sales,' Jeffrey Loke, assistant commercial director of the airport's operator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), told AFP.

CAAS declined to disclose total annual sales, citing competitive reasons, but said one-third of its revenues of more than US$500 million in the year to March 2005 came from shop rentals and a percentage of their receipts.

More than 30,000 square meters of space in Changi's two terminals - a third is under construction - is dedicated to retail and food and beverage concessions.

Tired shoppers with time to spare can go for a foot massage, have their nails done or check into the airport hotel for a nap.

In 2004, Changi enjoyed its busiest year ever, handling a record 30.35 million passengers, and 2005 is shaping up as another strong year. In the eight months to August, 21.12 million passengers passed through Changi, up 7.3 per cent from a year ago.

'About 70 per cent of all travellers buy or eat something in Changi,' Mr Loke of CAAS said in an interview.

Europeans burdened by high taxes at home are the biggest duty-free shoppers in Changi followed closely by Singaporeans and other wealthy Asians.

Including retail and food and beverage earnings, about 60 per cent of CAAS' revenues are derived from 'non-aeronautical' sources, the reverse of the usual revenue ratio for major airports, which earn most of their money from airline-linked services.

More than half of retail sales in Changi are contributed by liquor and perfumes, with watches and tobacco also high on the list of popular items.

In the first six months of 2005, retail sales grew 13.3 per cent over the same period in 2004 and 67 per cent over the same period in 2003, CAAS said.

Following an upgrade launched in 2004, some of the world's most coveted designer brands have opened plush outlets in the airport.

They include Prada, Gucci, Bulgari and Hermes, which sells silk windbreakers for $3,750 and lambskin shoulder bags for $3,000.

Over at a liquor concession, a limited-edition bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac in a special decanter with a diamond embedded in the stopper is priced at more than $8,000. Five bottles have been sold so far.

Singapore competes with other duty-free havens like Hong Kong in Asia and Dubai in the Middle East.

Mr Loke said that among major international airports, Changi enjoys 'one of the highest concession revenues per passenger in the world'.

Singapore is the main hub of the so-called Kangaroo Route - the long-haul travel zone stretching from Australia and New Zealand to Europe - and Changi's shops aim for the busy transit passenger market.

'These are the people who will have more than two to three hours to spend here or are travelling between Europe and the region,' Mr Loke said.

Wealthy people from developing Asian countries are among the most avid shoppers in Changi.

One Indonesian woman spent more than $100,000 at the Lee Hwa jewellery shop while waiting for her flight. Shoppers from China and India, Asia's most dynamic economies, are also becoming key customers at Changi.

'Indonesians don't buy a lot of items, but they buy the very expensive stuff,' said Mr Loke of CAAS.

The Japanese used to be known as the most lavish spenders among Asian travellers but Mr Loke said that 'somehow their spending is not coming back as strongly as other nationalities'.

Singapore Retailers Association executive director Lau Chuen Wei said Changi 'is certainly one of the larger up-market shopping malls in Singapore' and it does not hurt city retailers, some of whom have outlets in the airport.

'So, no, it does not take away very much from the downtown retailers, and especially not those who cater to the mass market,' said Ms Lau.

'And yes, retail sales generated at the airport are still a contribution to Singapore's economy, hence a strong component of Singapore's retail industry.'

With more than eight million visitors entering Singapore every year, tourism accounts for about 5 per cent of the republic's gross domestic product and is being given high priority in long-term development plans.

Singapore, which has only 4.2 million people, aims to double tourist arrivals to 17 million by 2015, and many of them will surely be spending money in Changi airport.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oct 13, 2005
Mega jet to touch down at Changi in Nov
S'pore is first of three stops in Airbus A380's maiden test flight out of Europe

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

THE world's largest-ever passenger aircraft will touch down at Changi Airport next month on its maiden test flight out of Europe.

Singapore has been picked as the first of three stops on the trip for the Airbus A380, which will also touch down in Kuala Lumpur and Sydney.

Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to put the massive new double-decker plane into operation.

SIA has ordered 10, with an option for another 15.

The first few are due to arrive here in November next year - eight months behind schedule - and will initially be put into service on SIA's 'kangaroo route' from London to Sydney.

Though the plane can carry as many as 555 passengers, SIA will configure its A380s with 480 seats.

Sources told The Straits Times that the giant bird will take off from the Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France, in the first half of next month and make a 12-hour non-stop flight to Changi.

So far, the A380 has not flown more than five continuous hours.

Airports worldwide have been gearing up to welcome the new aircraft.

Changi Airport is pumping $68 million into airport infrastructure, including the installation of 19 gates and larger holding rooms capable of handling the A380 and its passengers.

The Asia tour is also a good opportunity for Airbus, which has come under fire recently after announcing delays in deliveries, to generate some positive publicity.

The aircraft was unveiled at a lavish event in Toulouse in January attended by French President Jacques Chirac, outgoing German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero.

Also at the event were the chiefs of 14 airlines that have between them ordered a total of 132 A380s. The airlines include Qantas, Lufthansa and Thai Airways.

Before the A380 can take to the skies commercially, several technical issues will need to be ironed out. Because of the turbulence generated by the aircraft's giant engines, a key area now being studied is how far other planes should fly behind the A380 during departure and arrival.

A working group, which includes representatives from Europe's Joint Aviation Authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States, will make recommendations to the International Civil Aviation Organisation by February next year.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

whoo exciting...........

Can't wait!!!

When exactly will it be here? What are the dates?

Not sure......aiyo that means my travelling plans have to postpone liaoz.....:lol:

I'll already be away for most of November >.<

Oct 15, 2005
Will Qantas renew Sats deal? No signs yet
Aussie team here recently to meet SIA subsidiary and two ground-handling rivals

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

THERE are just two weeks to go before Qantas' passenger and baggage handling contract with Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats) expires and there is still no indication whether it will be renewed.

In August, Singapore Airlines (SIA) decided it would not renew its contract in Australia with Qantas' ground-handling arm and signed up three different companies, including Patrick Air Services, instead.

Naturally, there were suggestions that Qantas might retaliate by cancelling its own contract with Sats, a subsidiary of SIA.

A Qantas team was in Singapore recently to meet with representatives from Sats and its competitors, Swissport and Changi International Airport Services (CIAS), The Straits Times understands.

When contacted, the airline's spokesman in Sydney confirmed that talks with Sats, Swissport and CIAS had taken place, but declined to give details.

The looming deadline does not necessarily mean Qantas needs to decide soon whether it will abandon its 40-year association with Sats, observers said.

A Sats spokesman said: 'We will continue to provide the airline with ground-handling services while negotiations are being finalised.'

Of the 7,100 flights Sats handles at Changi each month, 310 - about four per cent - are Qantas services.

The contract now being negotiated is for passenger and baggage handling. Qantas' other contract with Sats for aircraft maintenance and cargo expires next year. Sats will fiercely defend its turf in both cases.

Even if the airline decides to part ways with Sats, the question is whether Swissport and CIAS would be able to service Qantas.

Swissport entered the scene in June last year and now has three clients, while CIAS has about 20 per cent of the ground-handling market at Changi.

The Australian airline is Changi's second biggest customer after SIA.

An insider said: 'They may not have what it takes to serve Qantas tomorrow, but passenger and baggage handling is not very complicated. If Qantas switches, it would probably take about three months or a little longer for the new service provider to prepare itself.

'If it so wishes, Qantas can always use delaying tactics and Sats really has no choice but to keep serving the airline in the meantime, because don't forget the other contracts are also up for renewal next year, so it makes no sense to burn bridges.'

Will Qantas switch?

Mr Seah Hiang Hong, head of research at stock brokerage Kim Eng Securities, said: 'In this very competitive and difficult climate, airlines go for good service at good prices. At the end of the day, I believe Qantas will make a rational decision.'

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 19 Oct 2005

CAAS surplus jumps 70% to $440m on strong traffic surge

Changi Airport passenger traffic grows 23% to a record 30.1m

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) A strong recovery in air traffic last year enabled the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), which runs Changi Airport, to raise its net surplus by a whopping 70.1 per cent to $439.9 million during the last financial year.

This came on the back of a 24.5 per cent rise in total operating income to $971 million for the year ended March 2005.

As a result, the operator of the world's sixth-busiest airport had an accumulated surplus of $2.74 billion coming into the current financial year. Surplus from operations during the year totalled $349.5 million.

CAAS raked in another $66.9 million from jointly controlled companies and another $123.8 million from net non-operating income (primarily investments with fund managers and interest income).

The results reflect a remarkable change in fortunes for Changi Airport after a difficult 2003 when traffic dived 15 per cent as a result of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (or Sars) pandemic which swept across Asia.

Last year, the airport enjoyed a 23 per cent jump in passenger traffic to a record 30.1 million, compared to 24.7 million in 2003. At the same time, cargo traffic reached highs of 1.78 million tonnes, up 10.2 per cent from the 1.61 million tonnes moved in 2003.

For the first eight months of 2005, the multiple award-winning airport handled a total of 21.12 million passengers, a 7.3 per cent increase compared to the same period last year.

The traffic figures enjoyed by Changi Airport far surpassed the global average, where worldwide passenger traffic rose 15.3 per cent, with the Middle East and Asia Pacific leading the way with growth rates of 24.8 per cent and 20.5 per cent respectively.

Changi Airport is currently served by more than 80 airlines connecting to over 180 cities in more than 50 countries, with more than 3,900 weekly flights.

With traffic set to grow by 4 to 6 per cent a year for the next 10 years, and chased by new airports such as Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport vying for regional hub status, Changi Airport has embarked on an ambitious upgrading programme to stay ahead of the competition.

Major capital expenditure programmes underway include the construction of $1.75 billion Terminal 3, the $45 million low cost airline terminal project, some $240 million to upgrade Terminal 2 and another $68 million to strengthen runway's, taxiways and prepare the terminal facilities to cater for the new giant Airbus 380 planes ordered by Singapore Airlines, Qantas and others.

CAAS is also calling bidders to build a 400-room, four-to-five-star hotel at Terminal 3.

Through its subsidiaries Changi Airport Managers & Partners (Champs) and SCAE Alterra Pte Ltd, CAAS also provides consultancy and has invested in several airport projects around the world, including Juan Santamaria International Airport in Costa Rica, the Jorge Chavez International Airport in Peru and the London Luton Airport.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 20 Oct 2005

Changi airport's passenger traffic up almost 9% in Sept

SINGAPORE - Changi airport handled 2.65 million passengers in September, up 8.7 per cent over the same month last year with the rise due partly to the school holidays, the airport operator said on Thursday.

'The demand for air travel increased during the weekends before as well as after the school holidays between Sept 5 and Sept 10,' the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

Total passenger traffic in the nine months to September totalled 23.8 million, representing a 7.5 per cent jump over the same period in 2004, it said.

Airfreight handled by the airport rose an annual 2.8 per cent to 160,000 tonnes bringing overall volumes in the first nine months of the year to 1.34 million tonnes, up 2 per cent from a year ago.

Changi airport is currently served by more than 80 airlines connecting to more than 181 cities worldwide.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

6.55 million more in the next 3 months to break 2004's record. Do you think CAAS will get that, or much more???

What are the average passenger traffic numbers for the final 3 months of the year from past years?

6.55 million more in the next 3 months to break 2004's record. Do you think CAAS will get that, or much more???

What are the average passenger traffic numbers for the final 3 months of the year from past years?

Ignoramus

October 2004 is 2.56M
November 2004 is 2.71M
December 2004 is 2.96M

6.55 million more in the next 3 months to break 2004's record. Do you think CAAS will get that, or much more???

What are the average passenger traffic numbers for the final 3 months of the year from past years?

I estimate the figure to be around 32 million.....:yes:

21 October 2005

Boeing, A*Star to jointly develop technologies in aerospace
By Chua Chin Chye, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : US aerospace giant Boeing is tapping on research capabilities in Singapore.

It has signed a deal with the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star).

Together, the two partners will develop technologies in areas such as advanced materials, computational science and wireless communications, for use on a wide range of Boeing products and services.

These range from commercial jetliners and military aircraft, to missile defence and satellite communications systems.

The deal with Singapore's A*Star is part of Boeing's effort to reach out worldwide and tap on research capabilities.

That is despite having some 4,000 researchers already in its stable.

Miller Adams, Vice President, Boeing Technology Ventures, said, "We do have lots of very talented researchers in Boeing and in Boeing Phantom Works where I am employed. However it would be somewhat arrogant perhaps for us to think that we are the only people in the world who would have good capabilities from a technology perspective. We embark on an exercise of finding good technology organisations anywhere in the world to supplement what we do internally, and assist us with meeting our expectations"

A*Star says Singapore has a ready pool of researchers, with platform technologies that can be applied to aerospace needs.

Professor Chong Tow Chong, Executive Director, Science and Engineering Research Council, A*Star, said, "Although we talk about aerospace, but aerospace technologies come from manufacturing, come from materials, and of course, in the future, will be more (of a) infocomm type of thing.

"Over the years, we already have these generic platform technologies built up within our research institutes. These are platform technologies. The key is how we apply these platform technologies in different industries. It is not that we start from zero."

Mr Adams added, "What we will be able to do here in Singapore is unique. There are capabilities at A*Star that are very very good in the materials area, in the information and communications area. And we consider them world-class in those areas."

Observers say the outreach will also help Boeing understand its customers in Asia better.

The three-year deal with A*Star will be Boeing's second collaboration in the Asia Pacific, after Australia.

Boeing already has 14 such partnerships worldwide.

No financial details of the deal were given - but both parties say the spin-offs are tangible.

Professor Chong said, "When we develop these technologies, relating to, let's say, new aircraft, new materials, new monitoring, new technologies...We can actually transfer this to our local industry. That in turn will conduct the repair, maintenance and overhaul of aircraft. In that sense, we transfer this technology to our local industry. And they can be competitive, and engage with the airlines."

Singapore's aerospace industry is a significant contributor to the economy.

It employs 13,000 workers in some 100 companies, with wide-ranging operations from aircraft and engine repair and overhaul to avionics and wireless communications.

Annual output amounts to more than S$4 billion. - CNA/ms

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 20 Oct 2005

Changi airport's passenger traffic up almost 9% in Sept

SINGAPORE - Changi airport handled 2.65 million passengers in September, up 8.7 per cent over the same month last year with the rise due partly to the school holidays, the airport operator said on Thursday.

'The demand for air travel increased during the weekends before as well as after the school holidays between Sept 5 and Sept 10,' the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

Total passenger traffic in the nine months to September totalled 23.8 million, representing a 7.5 per cent jump over the same period in 2004, it said.

Airfreight handled by the airport rose an annual 2.8 per cent to 160,000 tonnes bringing overall volumes in the first nine months of the year to 1.34 million tonnes, up 2 per cent from a year ago.

Changi airport is currently served by more than 80 airlines connecting to more than 181 cities worldwide.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.
Interesting...

Hari Raya Decoration at T2

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/7212/pic0418113zr.jpg

babystan03..do u have any deepavali deco for changi?? :)

babystan03..do u have any deepavali deco for changi?? :)

I saw it.....but forgot to take a picture of it.....:yes:

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Changi first non-American airport to take off with this airport security award

Tuesday • October 25, 2005

SECURITY measures at Changi Airport have been given the thumbs-up by Airport Security Report, a United States-based leading publication on airport security.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), which operates and manages Changi Airport, is the first non-American airport to receive the Excellence in Airport Security Award at a major North American aviation event held in Toronto last month.

According to a judging panel of aviation security specialists, Changi Airport won for its good security management practices and infrastructure, well-trained security staff, overall operating efficiency and non-oppressive screening measures.

"In security, it is necessary to be constantly vigilant and not take anything for granted," said CAAS director-general of civil aviation Wong Woon Liong. "The Singapore Police Force and security agencies at Changi Airport have put in commendable efforts to achieve a high level of security here."

Last month, 703,901 visitors passed through the arrival halls at Changi Airport.

This is a 6.9-per cent rise compared to the same period last year.

The top five visitor markets are, in descending order, Indonesia, the People's Republic of China, Australia, Japan and Malaysia.

These markets accounted for half of Changi Airport's total visitor arrivals for the month. — Jasmine Yin

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 25 Oct 2005

Changi Airport wins US award for aviation security

Among criteria is balancing security with operating efficiency

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) Singapore Changi Airport has received an award for its efforts to maintain safety and security of the air travelling public, the first ever winner of the award outside the United States.

US-based publication on airport security, Airport Security Report, conferred Changi with its 'Excellence in Airport Security' award in the International Airport's category.

A judging panel comprising leading aviation security specialists considered various elements of security preparedness, including good security management practices and infrastructure, overall operating efficiency, attention to detail, well-trained security staff and non-oppressive screening measures.

The six basic criteria used to evaluate airports nominated for the award were significant advances in airport security, security effectiveness, security management, leadership, achieving a balance in airport security programmes and airport operations, and maintaining public confidence in air travel.

The award was presented to The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) at the Airports Council International-North America's 14th Annual Conference and Exhibition, held in Toronto, Canada recently.

CAAS director general Wong Woon Liong commended the Singapore Police Force and security agencies at Changi Airport for putting in commendable efforts to achieve a high level of security there.

'CAAS works closely with these organisations to improve aviation security policies and practices on the one hand, while balancing the needs for passenger facilitation and cost efficiency on the other,' he said. 'In security, it is necessary to be constantly vigilant and not take anything for granted.'

This brings to 17, the number of awards Changi Airport has garnered this year. Recently, it also won recognition for passenger comfort from British frequent travellers. For the 18th consecutive year, readers of the Business Traveller (United Kingdom/Europe) magazine voted Changi the 'Best Airport in the World'.

And for the 8th consecutive year, Britain's The Daily Telegraph's reader survey ranked Changi the 'Best International Airport'.

Meanwhile, the latest 'Travel Awards 2005' survey conducted by Selling Long Haul magazine, travel agents in UK and Ireland voted Changi the 'Best Airport in the World'.

Changi, the world's sixth-busiest airport, handled 23.8 million passengers between January and September 2005, representing a 7.5 per cent climb over the corresponding period last year.

Over 30 million passengers passed through Changi last year.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

One of my best friend is in S'pore
Let me see, S'pore is a fine city!

Oct 31, 2005
Aviation shorts

TIGER DOES ROARING BUSINESS ONLINE

TIGER Airways said it has seen an increase of more than 60 per cent in revenue and website visits since it launched its new advertising campaign 'What's New Pussycat?' in July.

About 75 per cent of Tiger's seats are sold on the Internet, with the rest via call centres and airport outlets.

It said last Wednesday that a ranking by online marketing firm Hitwise showed Tiger has the largest Internet share among low-cost carriers' websites visited by users - at 14.9 per cent. This compares with 10.9 per cent for Jetstar Asia, 8.9 per cent for Malaysia's AirAsia and 4.2 per cent for Valuair.

Singapore Airlines, a full-service carrier, has a higher share at 25.6 per cent.

GREAT DEALS FOR SIA TRANSIT PASSENGERS

SINGAPORE Airlines passengers in transit at Changi Airport can now enjoy shopping and dining discounts of up to 50 per cent.

Under the programme - a tie-up with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore - a passenger has to present his boarding pass valid for the same day of travel to enjoy the privileges.

They include a 15 per cent discount at Harry's Bar located at both terminals and Pasta Fresca at Terminal 2.

There is also a 20 per cent discount at Hair Beauty for those who may prefer a wash and blow instead.

The year-long promotion will end on Sept 30 next year.

NEW CARRIER ADAMAIR PLANS TO ADD FLIGHTS

INDONESIA'S AdamAir, which started Singapore-Jakarta flights last Friday, hopes to fly from Changi Airport to Hong Kong and Mumbai in India next year.

A spokesman told The Straits Times the airline will file an application with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore soon.

AdamAir, which calls itself a 'boutique' airline, offers meals on board and assigned seating.

It now flies daily between Jakarta and Singapore but hopes to increase this to three flights a day by year-end.

The carrier also intends to seek a listing in Singapore in 2007, the spokesman said.
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Nov 4, 2005
Changi Airport sees record flights, airlines

SINGAPORE Changi Airport expects more passenger and air cargo traffic along with more airlines operating here.

The airport has received a record 4,000 weekly scheduled flights for the new Northern Winter Season, which spans from 30 Oct 2005 to 25 Mar 2006.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said this is an increase of about 100 flights from some 3,900 weekly scheduled flights in the Northern Summer 2005 season (27 March 2005 - 29 October 2005).

The flight increases are mainly to Southeast Asia and North Asia, with the former contributing to more than half of the increase.

Another record for Changi Airport is the number of airlines setting up shop here - a total of 83 with the addition of 2 new airlines, AdamAir and Yangtze River Express.

A third new airline, LOT Polish, has started serving the Singapore and Warsaw market on 30 October 2005 on a code-sharing basis with Singapore Airlines.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Nov 5, 2005
Changi Airport flying high in traffic volumes
Weekly flights and passenger numbers up and looking good in coming months

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

HIGH fuel prices may be hurting airlines but Changi Airport is still doing brisk business, for now.

According to industry forecasts, Changi should handle a record 4,000 passenger and cargo flights a week between Oct 30 this year and March 25 next year, during the northern hemisphere winter, an 8 per cent increase from last year.

The number of weekly flights in and out of Singapore during the northern hemisphere's summer season, from March 27 to Oct 29, was 3,900, compared with about 3,650 a year earlier.

Changi's passenger volume figures are also looking good. In the first nine months of this year, 23.8 million passengers passed through the airport, a 7.5 per cent rise over the same period last year.

At this rate, passenger traffic for the full year will comfortably exceed 32 million, beating last year's record of 30.4 million passengers handled.

However, the outlook may not be as rosy as these figures suggest.

The International Air Transport Association (Iata), which represents 265 airlines, forecast this week that Singapore will see slower growth in passenger and cargo volumes compared with many other countries in the region.

Iata recently ranked 17 countries in South-east Asia and North-east Asia for international traffic between this year and 2009. Singapore was placed in 11th spot, with an annual projected growth of 6.1 per cent for passenger traffic. For cargo, it was placed in 12th spot, with 4.8 per cent growth.

Predictably, China will see the highest growth rate; 9.6 per cent for passenger traffic and 14.4 per cent for cargo volume.

Growth is also expected to be high in countries like Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, which are expanding air links. The forecast is based on input from airlines.

For now, though, Changi has much to celebrate.

On top of the high number of weekly flights it is expecting this winter, a record number of 83 airlines now fly to the airport.

This year alone, 10 carriers were added to the list, including Jet Airways, AdamAir and Pakistan International Airlines.

Mr Wong Woon Liong, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore's director-general, said in a statement: 'We are encouraged by the strong growth in flight movements at Changi Airport...CAAS will continue to proactively help airlines grow their operations in Singapore and to attract new carriers into the Changi family.'

karam@sph.com.sg
Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

by Nudhi Paricharttanakul

http://www.pbase.com/nudhi/image/39073450.jpg

^ Nice shot of the Changi Airport MRT station.....:yes:

2005 Releases
24 Oct 2005
Singapore Changi Airport Bags Five More Awards

Changi is the first airport outside the United States to receive the 'Excellence in Airport Security Award'

Singapore Changi Airport has received an award for its efforts in looking after the safety and security of the air travelling public. Airport Security Report, a leading publication on airport security based in the United States (US) recently conferred Changi Airport with the 'Excellence in Airport Security Award' in the 'International Airport' category.

Changi Airport is the first ever winner of the International Airport category. Good security management practices and infrastructure, overall operating efficiency, attention to detail, well-trained security staff and non-oppressive screening measures, are some of the attributes that a judging panel comprising leading aviation security specialists considered.

Six basic criteria were used to evaluate airports nominated for the award: significant advances in airport security; security effectiveness; security management; leadership; achieving a balance in airport security programs and airport operations; and maintaining public confidence in air travel.

The award was presented to The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) at the Airports Council International (ACI) - North America's 14 th Annual Conference and Exhibition, held on 20 September 2005 in Toronto, Canada.

"The Singapore Police Force and security agencies at Changi Airport have put in commendable efforts to achieve a high level of security here. CAAS works closely with these organisations to improve aviation security polices and practices on the one hand, while balancing the needs for passenger facilitation and cost efficiency on the other. In security, it is necessary to be constantly vigilant and not take anything for granted," said Mr Wong Woon Liong, Director-General of Civil Aviation, CAAS.

Recently, Changi Airport also won recognition for passenger comfort from British frequent travellers. For the 18 th consecutive year, readers of the Business Traveller [ United Kingdom ( UK )/Europe ] magazine voted Changi the ' Best Airport in the World '. The Daily Telegraph, UK's national broadsheet, also conducted a reader survey this year and ranked Changi the ' Best International Airport ' for the eighth consecutive year since 1998. In addition, in the latest "Travel Awards 2005" survey conducted by Selling Long Haul magazine, travel agents in UK and Ireland voted Changi the ' Best Airport in the World '.

Travel agents in Asia also gave Changi Airport the thumbs up. TTG Asia , a travel trade newspaper, honoured Changi with the ' Travel Hall of Fame - Airport' title at the 16 th Annual Travel Awards held on 13 October 2005. Changi was inducted into the 'Travel Hall of Fame' in 2002 for having won the ' Best Airport of the Year ' award for 13 successive years, since the awards began in 1989.

To date, Changi Airport has garnered 17 awards for this year, including these five awards.

http://www.changi.airport.com.sg/changi/press_release_content.jsp?

Business Times - 09 Nov 2005

European aerospace giant picks S'pore for R&D hub

It's the first outside Europe for parent of Airbus maker

By GEORGE JOSEPH

(SINGAPORE) European aerospace and defence giant EADS - the parent company of aircraft maker Airbus - has chosen Singapore for its first research and technology centre outside Europe.

The centre will be set up in the next few months, employing about 25 people in the first year, EADS chief executive officer Noel Forgeard told BT yesterday.

EADS will invest 'a few million dollars' initially, he said without disclosing the total to be spent in the first year.

'You have well-trained scientists and a government that welcomes researchers from elsewhere,' Mr Forgeard said, adding that EADS is also keen to pursue industrial collaboration and other partnerships with its customers. He said the centre will research commercial aircraft and defence-related products and technologies.

Last month, Airbus' rival Boeing signed a three-year agreement with Singapore's Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) for exploratory studies in technology that the US company could incorporate into its aircraft and aerospace products.

Here on a two-day trip to reassure Singapore and Singapore Airlines of a 'total company commitment' to deliver the first A380 super jet in November next year, Mr Forgeard said it is not unusual to run into delays in a programme of such magnitude.

Airbus has hit snags in making the A380 and it is unable to meet delivery deadlines, upsetting customers including Singapore Airlines.

The A380 is the world's biggest, long-haul jet, and three prototypes are now flying. A test flight, scheduled to touch down in Singapore yesterday, will now arrive on Friday, as the aircraft's engines had to be replaced.

SIA, which was due to receive the world's first A380 in July next year, will now get its first aircraft in November and another in December 2006, as part of an US$8.6 billion order for 10 planes.

Mr Forgeard said Airbus underestimated the work that has to be put in to meet the special needs of airline customers. And vendors and equipment suppliers have had difficulty planning the work for various aircraft now under production.

The delays have caused customers including SIA to seek compensation. 'It's unpleasant but not unusual for a programme of this size,' Mr Forgeard said.

Airbus will follow its contractual obligations and work things out with aggrieved customers, he said, while emphasising that the A380 will be the greatest commercial plane ever, giving operators at least 20 per cent cost savings over Boeing's 747 jets.

Qantas, Emirates, Air France and Malaysian Airline System are among early customers for the A380.

Last month, Airbus also introduced two models of a new A350 - the 257-seat A350-800 and the 297-seat A350-900, which are seen by analysts as a reply to Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. Mr Forgeard said the A350 has an 'unprecedented level of light materials', giving better fuel efficiency and reducing seat mile costs.

With 200 orders in hand, mostly from US, European and Middle East customers, Mr Forgeard hopes to see the A350 catch on in Asia, as both Airbus and Boeing battle for a bigger slice of the huge US$60 billion-a-year market for large commercial planes.

Airbus is 80 per cent owned by EADS, which is based in Paris and Munich, and 20 per cent by BAE Systems of the UK.

EADS is on track for a full-year profit of 2.6 billion euros (S$5.2 billion), after turning in strong first-half earnings of 1.54 billion euros. Its annual revenue is dominated by Airbus, which under Mr Forgeard overtook Boeing to become the world's leading commercial jet supplier last year. EADS also makes helicopters, missiles, fighter jets and space launchers.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

A380 at Changi Airport(11/11/2005)

Some pictures from Clubsnap

By Donchua
http://www.weglet.com/media/1/CRW_9556small.jpg

By Donkuok
http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/500/P1050107_Small_.JPG

http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/500/P1050108_Small_.JPG

http://gallery.clubsnap.com/data/500/P1050118_Small_.JPG

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/juanwy/9571891.jpg


Taken from airliner.net

WOW ZOOM ZOOM

Nov 12, 2005
Changi put through paces by giant A380
Biggest passenger jet flies in on first test flight outside Europe

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

IN AT 10am and out by midnight, the Airbus 380 made its maiden flight to Asia yesterday, with a stopover at Changi Airport for the world's biggest passenger jet.

For the European aircraft manufacturer, the 13-hour flight from Toulouse, France, was the first test flight outside Europe and the furthest the plane has flown so far.

For Changi Airport, which is spending $60 million to be A380-ready as it competes to stay ahead of other air hubs in Bangkok, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, it was a chance to put its upgraded landing, loading and passenger facilities through their paces.

Carrying 30 crew members and engineers, the A380 made a smooth landing on Runway 2, dwarfing the other aircraft at the airport. The double-decker jet, which weighs 560 tonnes, is 72m long and 24m wide.

But instead of the 555 passengers that it can carry in a three-class configuration, the test flight was loaded with giant barrels of water to simulate a full passenger load.

The sight of the behemoth taxiing across one of the two bridges that span the East Coast Expressway, slowed road traffic as well.

After manoeuvring through the taxiways, which had been widened along some stretches by up to 6m to accommodate the A380's larger turning radius, the aircraft docked successfully at Gate F31 at Terminal 2 - one of 19 at Terminals 1 and 2 and the future Terminal 3, which will be A380 compatible.

Also tested was a new aerobridge, a third arm that will take passengers on and off the upper deck of the aircraft.

Mr Wong Woon Liong, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore's director-general of civil aviation, said: 'The arrival of the A380 aircraft today shows that Changi Airport is ready to handle A380 flights, which we have been planning for since the late 1990s.'

Later, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong toured the aircraft.

Singapore Airlines (SIA), which has ordered 10 planes with an option for 15 more, will be the first airline to take delivery of the jet late next year.

So far, Airbus has received 159 firm orders for the A380 and it is confident it will hit the 250 break-even mark with little difficulty.

But there have been hiccups. The plane which was supposed to be here on Tuesday was delayed because of engine trouble.

Some customers, including SIA are also irked and seeking compensation because of an announced delivery delay of up to six months.

Airbus' chief commercial officer John Leahy said at the press event yesterday: 'If the plane does not show up on time, we owe them some pre-agreed liquidated damages to be the amount of days it has been delayed.'

The amount is 'not enormous' he said, 'considering the value of the plane'.

Although it was clearly Airbus' big day, its American rival Boeing could not resist having a dig at the competition.

In a statement entitled A380: Large Airplane, Small Market, Boeing said Airbus' sales projections were flawed, adding that the future passenger will prefer to fly directly to his destination, rather than via capital cities.

It was released a day after the Boeing 777-200LR set a new record for the longest non-stop passenger airline flight, completing a journey of more than 20,000km from Hong Kong to London.

Airbus shrugged off the comments and the A380 stuck to its schedule. The A380 left for Brisbane in Australia at about midnight.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/juanwy/9571891.jpg


Taken from airliner.net

I guess I overestimated its size, cos it looks comparatively small to me.

^ You have to see the real thing to judge.....:yes:

Well.. I might look small to some people but in fact it's the world's biggest today!!
Btw, great photo!!

15 November 2005

SATS must continue to innovate, helps preserve Changi Airport's lead in region

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) must continue to innovate and provide excellent service so as to preserve Changi Airport's lead among the emerging airports in the region.

This is the challenge set by Minister of State for Transport Lim Hwee Hua for SATS, at the company's event on Tuesday.

She says Changi Airport's partnership with SATS will continue to be a winning combination.

"SATS' efforts to leverage on new technologies to upgrade its product and service offerings have played an instrumental role in enhancing the overall user experience of Changi Airport," said Lim.

"Hardware-wise, it has invested some S$23 million in a comprehensive product and service upgrade, including a new dedicated lounge for disabled travellers at Terminal 1. To maintain Changi's standards of excellent service, SATS has started a new service quality campaign called "x-factor", a training programme which champions service excellence among staff," she said.

On Tuesday, SATS launched its new brand image as the premier ground handling and inflight catering service provider.

SATS, a wholly-owned unit of Singapore Airlines, was listed in May 2000.

Its network of ground handling and airline catering operations spans 25 airports, including Changi, in the Asia Pacific region. - CNA /ls

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

What is this "lead" in the region? I thought the regions biggest/largest airport was Bangkok?

What is this "lead" in the region? I thought the regions biggest/largest airport was Bangkok?

Nothing to do with physical size......:yes:

In terms of facilites, I'd have to agree that Changi has a lead over other airports. But there's competition, BKK is getting a brang spanking new airport.

In terms of facilites, I'd have to agree that Changi has a lead over other airports. But there's competition, BKK is getting a brang spanking new airport.

Competition is good....it'll make the whole region better...:yes:..btw there are spanking new airports starting from 1998 in the region till now......;)

Nov 16, 2005
Private jets get set to fly in casino high rollers

By Arthur Poon

PRIVATE jet and charter plane operators are gearing up to cater to an expected influx of international high rollers descending on Singapore's integrated resorts.

Bombardier, the third-largest commercial aircraft manufacturer after Airbus and Boeing, signalled its confidence in the future of the business when it opened its regional office here on Monday.

Mr Christophe Chicandard, the Canadian company's sales director for business aircraft, said: 'The business jets sector here will likely grow with the casinos flying in their first-rate customers from the region or even straight from the US. We are already seeing that in casinos in Macau.'

During the Asian financial crisis and in the aftermath of the Sept 11 attacks on the United States, about five orders for private jets in Singapore were cancelled. Now they are picking up, said Mr Chicandard.

Bombardier, which makes six-seater private jets like Lear 31A and Learjet 40 which cost between US$4 million (S$6.8 million) and US$8.5 million, has sold three planes in Singapore this year.

They are popular toys for the kind of people who will be able to wager millions of dollars each night at the proposed Marina and Sentosa integrated resorts and will not want to be stuck in airport check-in and immigration queues.

These high rollers will have corporate services to whisk them through all the border formalities, said Mr David Ho, executive director of Singapore-based Executive Jets Asia, the region's first fractionally owned jet operator.

Mr Ho's Executive Jets Asia is inviting businessmen and corporations from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia to invest US$500,000 to buy a one-sixth stake in an 11-seater Cessna Citation II private jet. In return, they get 70 hours of travel a year.

Private jets are the ultimate luxury item. Fitted with anything from four to 13 seats, they have well-stocked bars, plush leather seats and mahogany dining tables.

It all comes at a considerable price of course. Flying on a private jet can be 10 to 12 times more costly than a normal commercial flight. Long-range flights can cost as much as US$8,000 an hour per aircraft, while shorter regional flights go for US$3,000 to US$4,000 an hour.

Still, Mr Logan Ravishankar, sole owner of MyJet Asia, which operates mainly chartered flights, expects the private jets and chartered flights business to soar in Singapore.

'Singapore's corporate aviation business has easily grown 10 per cent in the last two years,' said the former corporate jet pilot.

Corporate executives account for 60 per cent of MyJet's business, while leisure travellers, royalty and superstars make up the rest.

Singapore still lags behind Hong Kong and Macau, though, because services at Changi's Business Aviation Centre (BAC) do not provide value for money, Mr Ravishankar said.

It costs a private jet US$3,500 to land at the centre, he said. While Macau charges US$2,000 and Hong Kong's fee is US$3,900, Mr Ravishankar argued that their facilities and service standards are much better than Changi's.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said on average there are about 30 jets using Changi's BAC each month, up from 20 last year.

Mr Ho reckons the market potential for private jets here is huge, given that there are only two private jets available for hire here, both owned by Singapore Technologies. There are four other private jets here owned either by private individuals or corporations.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved

nice

21 November 2005

Singapore prepared to allow more carriers on Singapore-KL route
By Derek Cher, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Singapore hopes to expand bilateral air services with Malaysia, allowing more carriers to operate on the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur route.

This route is currently dominated by Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines.

In Parliament on Monday, the Transport Ministry said the solution to opening up this route was not to re-allocate the air rights but to seek greater air rights.

Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines first entered into a revenue pooling agreement in 1988 to divide the combined revenues of their operations between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Today, the two airlines operate a combined total of 13 return flights per day on this route.

Some other approved carriers, such as Japan Airlines, also operate flights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

But there has been a call to allow more carriers into the sector, and the Transport Ministry says it is not against the idea.

Said Minister of State for Transport Lim Hwee Hua, "Singapore is prepared to allow other carriers from both countries to operate on the Singapore-KL route as well as to other points in Malaysia, but this would require the agreement on the Malaysian side."

Some Members of Parliament feel that more should be done to liberalise the Singapore-KL route.

Asked Tan Soo Khoon, MP for East Coast GRC, "Does the Minister of State believe it is in the interest of travellers between the two countries to allow what is essentially a cartel made up of SIA and MAS to exist?"

Mrs Lim replied, "This is ultimately a question of allocation of air rights to other operators on this route. The solution is not to re-allocate the air rights, but to seek greater air rights so that we can cater to the underlying demand that is currently not satisfied."

Mrs Lim notes that the revenue pooling arrangement between SIA and MAS is strictly a commercial one, similar to code sharing arrangements among airlines.

So it is best for SIA and MAS to decide whether to continue with their arrangement, based on their commercial considerations.

Even though it is now cheaper for passengers to fly from Singapore to Bangkok than from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur, Mrs Lim says pricing is not strictly by distance, but more a question of supply and demand.

So pricing between these two routes is not entirely comparable.

Mrs Lim says the Transport Ministry's policy is to encourage all carriers to operate on the Singapore-Malaysia route.

So she urges both countries to expand their bilateral air services soon for the benefit of travellers. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 24 Nov 2005

Higher passenger traffic through Changi

(SINGAPORE) Passenger traffic through Changi Airport rose 7.3 per cent year-on-year to 2.75 million in October.

And daily traffic hit a record as more than 100,000 passengers passed through the airport on three consecutive days over the long Deepavali weekend.

In total, the airport handled 26.53 million passengers between January and October, a 7.5 per cent increase from the same period in 2004. Changi handled almost 30 million passengers for the whole of 2004.

Freight volume also continued to rise steadily, rising 5.5 per cent year-on-year cent to 170,118 tonnes last month - an 11 per cent from two years back.

Between January and October, Changi handled 1.5 million tonnes of airfreight. This is 2.4 per cent higher than in the same period last year and a 13 per cent jump from 2003.

As at Nov 1, there were 83 airlines connecting Singapore to over 175 cities in more than 57 countries through about 4,000 weekly flights.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 23 Nov 2005

Time to review S'pore-M'sia air pact

The decades-old air services agreement is stuck in a time-warp, even as the advent of low-cost flights revolutionises air transport around the region

By VEN SREENIVASAN

THE issue of opening up the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur air route to more players was aired in Parliament on Monday.

Responding to questions from Nominated MP Ivan Png and Tan Soo Khoon (East Coast GRC), Minister of State for Transport Lim Hwee Hua said that the governments of the two countries will be holding further discussions on liberalising the air services regime that has stood firmly in place for almost three decades.

Currently, Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines service this route almost as a duopoly.

The two national carriers control 85 per cent of more than 200 flights per week between the two destinations, with the remainder served by carriers such as Air Lanka, Air India and Japan Airlines, which exercise their Fifth Freedom rights to pick up passengers at one foreign point and put them down in another foreign point as part of a continuous operation also serving the airline's homeland.

Having just two big players has meant high fares: a round trip between Changi and Sepang costs well over S$300, double the fare between Changi and Bangkok's Don Muang via a low-cost carrier (LCC). In fact, as industry insiders point out, it is actually cheaper to fly from Singapore to KL via Bangkok with an LCC. This is an anachronism at a time when the regional aviation scene is undergoing rapid changes.

In recent months, even India has been adopting a more liberal air traffic regime. Just weeks after India and Singapore signed the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), it surprised many by offering Singapore-based carriers 2,760 extra seats on routes from Singapore to Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata.

Singapore's Air Traffic Rights Committee subsequently granted budget carrier Tiger Airways and its rival Jetstar Asia critically needed new routes to two of these three destinations.

No sooner had this piece of good news sunk in when Indonesia granted Jetstar's sister discount carrier, Valuair, the rights to operate flights to Denpasar in Bali and Surabaya. This was in return for Singapore granting additional capacity and 'fifth freedom' rights to Garuda Indonesia and rights to Indonesia's AdamAir to operate Jakarta-Singapore flights.

It is no secret that LCCs such as Tiger Airways, Valuair, AirAsia and Jetstar Asia would love to get a slice of the potentially huge market for cheap flights between Changi and destinations in Malaysia, which are currently the preserve of MAS, SIA and SilkAir.

During a visit to Malaysia a year ago, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Malaysian counterpart agreed to expand cooperation in air transport. The transport ministers of both countries have also said that the time had come to review the bilateral air services agreement between the two countries. Indeed, conditions are right for Singapore-Malaysia air links to finally come under serious review.

And no single route is more keenly sought after than the highly lucrative - but totally unavailable - 45-minute hop between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. After all, this is the region's fourth busiest route, carrying an estimated eight million passengers last year. So, some industry observers suspect that the regulators will have their work cut out convincing the incumbents - particularly loss-making Malaysia Airlines - to open up one of the region's most lucrative and protected routes to competition.

Even as the advent of low-cost flights revolutionises air transport around the region, the decades-old air services agreement between Malaysia and Singapore is stuck in a time-warp.

While Asean is edging towards limited open skies by 2015, some countries have already 'fast-tracked' this via bilateral agreements. The most prominent example is the Singapore-Thailand free-skies deal. Given their proximity, and economic and cultural links between Malaysia and Singapore, a review of the existing bilateral air services agreement is timely, if not overdue.

It would be even better if Thailand joins in to form a tri-nation pact to free up the skies over the region's three most dynamic economies. There would be no stronger catalyst to speed up an Asean open skies treaty.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nov 26, 2005
Unlimited flights within region possible soon
Asean ministers keen to lift restrictions at the end of next year

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

TRAVELLERS will enjoy more flights within the region two years ahead of schedule if a proposal by the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) bears fruit.

Transport ministers from the 10 states are keen to adopt a Singapore suggestion to lift restrictions at the end of next year, instead of 2008, on the number of point-to-point flights their airlines can operate between any of their cities.

Asean set the 2008 target for unlimited flights last year, and restricted it to routes between member nations' capital cities.

But at the 11th Asean Transport Ministers Meeting in the Laotian capital Vientiane last week, the ministers decided to push for unlimited flights between all cities, saying it would accelerate economic growth and integration.

They have asked Asean's Air Transport Working Group to study the possibility, a spokesman for Singapore's Transport Ministry said, in response to queries from The Straits Times.

Unlimited point to point flights between, for example, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok and Manila, equal more choice and should help reduce fares, especially if more budget airlines are allowed to enter the game.

Asean's longer-term goal is for a limited open skies agreement between all cities in member countries by 2010. That would mean for example, that Singapore Airlines can pick up passengers in Kuala Lumpur and then fly to Bangkok or any other Asean destination, but not to a destination outside the region.

Singapore's Transport Ministry welcomed the commitment to work towards unlimited flights by the end of next year, said the spokesman.

'This would facilitate more flights and improve intra-Asean connectivity, thereby boosting Asean's attractiveness as a tourist destination and strengthening its economic competitiveness,' she said.

'It would also signal Asean's growing commitment to fast-track economic integration, and build investor confidence.'

Last year, a record 44 million travellers visited Asean destinations, a jump of more than 35 per cent from 2003.

Within the group, Singapore, Brunei and Thailand already have an arrangement - inked last year - which lets their airlines operate unlimited passenger services on any route within the three countries.

Asean is not alone in aiming for open skies.

Last week, the European Union (EU) and the United States signed a preliminary accord which will serve as the foundation for a full open skies deal, which could happen by next October.

Commenting on Asean's latest move, Mr Peter Harbison, head of the Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, said: 'It is a very positive sign and will definitely help to push policies through.'

Still, he wondered if the deadline was a tad too optimistic, given the 'protectionist tendencies of some of the governments involved.'

On the bilateral level, there are also issues to resolve.

For example, Singapore-Malaysia air links, which came up in Parliament here this week, could be a sticky issue.

MPs complained that the route was monopolised by SIA and Malaysia Airlines, and the resulting high fares hurt consumers. It can even be cheaper to fly to KL via Bangkok, travellers complain.

Singapore is very keen to expand air links and is waiting for Malaysia to come back with an agreed date for talks, said the Transport Ministry's spokesman.

But even if all restrictions were lifted, it does not necessarily mean budget carriers can rush in and fares will tumble. It would still up to the respective governments to decide which carriers can fly where.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Nov 26, 2005
Expanding S'pore-KL air rights the way forward

I REFER to the commentary, 'Open up the Singapore-KL shuttle route' (ST, Nov 23), by Professor Ivan Png.

The Singapore-Malaysia Air Services Agreement (ASA) was concluded in 1980 and since then all air-traffic rights between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (KL) under the ASA have been fully used up, with none left for new Singapore and Malaysian carriers to enter the market. Although Singapore would like to expand the ASA, this requires Malaysia's agreement.

The writer claims that the Ministry of Transport supports the 'revenue pool' agreement between Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS). We wish to clarify that the 'revenue pool' is a commercial arrangement between SIA and MAS, which allows both airlines to operate more flights between Singapore and KL than otherwise allowed for under the current ASA.

In the absence of further ASA liberalisation, removal of this commercial arrangement may result in a reduction of services, which is not to the benefit of consumers.

We agree with the writer that there could be more competition on the Singapore-KL route, and we would be happy to see more carriers, including low-cost carriers, offer services on this route.

However, this would require Malaysia to agree to liberalise the ASA to allow more carriers and flights by both sides. In this regard, Singapore has proposed, and looks forward to, meeting Malaysia to discuss the expansion of the ASA.

We hope to be able to liberalise the ASA ahead of Asean's commitment to lift all restrictions on passenger flights between Asean capital cities by 2008.

Multi-mode travel between Singapore and Malaysia, such as by bus and air, is not as convenient as direct air services. Hence, allowing direct competition to SIA and MAS on Singapore-Malaysia routes through a liberal aviation regime, rather than multi-mode travel, would best serve the interest of consumers.

This is also consistent with our objective of promoting Changi as an aviation hub.

Singapore has always practised a liberal air-transport policy. We warmly welcome all foreign airlines, including Air Asia, to fly to Singapore, in open competition with our own carriers.

Cindy Lim (Ms)
Assistant Director (Head)
Corporate Communications
Ministry of Transport

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

30 November 2005

Changi Airport among the first in world to offer VoIP phone services
By Thomas Cho, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Passengers at Singapore's Changi Airport can now enjoy cheaper international telephone calls.

Together with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, voice over internet protocol or VoIP provider MediaRing is offering budget VoIP telephone calls.

And they are at as much as 80% discount to such services from SingTel and StarHub.

Changi Airport is one of the first airports in the world to offer such budget call services for travellers.

MediaRing has set up two specially-designed lounges at Changi Airport with a total of 23 individual VoIP booths for passengers to try out their services.

Both lounges are located at the transit areas of Terminals 1 and 2.

Koh Boon Hwee, executive director of MediaRing said: "I think it is clear that rates are important. The other important factor is over the last 3 to 5 years, VoIP quality has improved to the level where it is indistinguishable from normal telephone service"

To attract more users to its services, MediaRing is offering seven days of free international calls.

"I telephoned my friend but he wasn't in. I got to his voicemail and it was very good quality," said one traveller.

"Definitely the savings. If it is clear and cheap, we'll use it," said another.

MediaRing says it aims to provide a quick and no-fuss service.

Said MediaRing's CEO: "What we want is to make sure that people can make a phone call in a very fast way. What I mean is, the passenger has to buy a phonecard, then go find a telephone booth to make a phone call.

"With MediaRing services, you can just come in, pay us a fee, sit down and make a phone call. We'll give you any change that's left and you are on the way."

MediaRing views its presence at Changi Airport - the 6th busiest in the world - as a strategic platform to further grow its brand equity globally and locally.

Although it has no concrete plans yet, the VoIP provider is hoping to replicate such services in other airports as well. - CNA /ls

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 01 Dec 2005

S'pore, China sign expanded air services agreement

SINGAPORE - Singapore and China signed an expanded air services agreement removing restrictions on capacity, routing and aircraft type for both passenger and cargo services, the Republic said on Thursday.

The accord was signed in Beijing on Wednesday between Singapore Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong and the Minister for the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China Yang Yuanyuan.

'This is a landmark agreement which has removed all restrictions on direct air services between Singapore and China,' Mr Yeo said in a statement. 'This new pact will pave the way for even more air services to be introduced between our two countries which will in turn lead to greater economic, tourism and social exchanges.'

Singapore and Chinese airlines currently operate more than 170 weekly scheduled passenger and cargo services between Singapore and 18 Chinese cities. This is up from 73 weekly flights five years ago and only six cities in China. -- AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Adam Air from Indonesia

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c121/ylstan01/DSC004261.jpg

Skytrax: THE WORLDS BEST AIRPORTS 2005

ADDITIONAL AWARD HEADLINES

Best Airports - Duty Free Shopping
1.Dubai Int'l

2.Singapore Changi

3.Bahrain Int'l

Best Airports - International Transit

1.Singapore Changi

2.Seoul Incheon

3.Amsterdam Schiphol

Best Airports - Dining Standards

1.Singapore Changi

2.Copenhagen

3.Hong kong

Best Airports - Cleanest Washrooms

1.Seoul Incheon

2.Kansai

3.Singapore Changi

Best Airports - Security Processing

1.Helsinki Vantaa

2.Seoul Incheon

3. Hong kong

Best Airports - Friendliest Airport staff

1.Cape Town

2.Venice

3.Perth Int'l

http://www.airlinequality.com/2005/airport-05-regional.htm

Dec 6, 2005
Aviation pundits see bright future for Changi Airport
Out of its top 10 markets, only one is long-haul, so impact of long-haul carriers low

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

KUALA LUMPUR - SINGAPORE'S aviation industry will have to deal with new long-range aircraft that can bypass major hubs and Middle East carriers expanding rapidly.

But aviation pundits do not expect this to have a big negative impact on Changi Airport or Singapore Airlines (SIA).

This is mainly because out of Changi's top 10 busiest markets, only one - Singapore-London - is long-haul.

The other nine key markets are Bangkok, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sydney, Taipei and Melbourne.

In October, the top 10 accounted for six in 10 flights out of Changi, according to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation.

'Rumours of my demise are exaggerated' was the cheeky title of a paper on Changi Airport prepared by the centre and distributed yesterday, at the start of the two-day Asia-Pacific and Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit 2006 in Kuala Lumpur.

The centre, which provides consultancy services, organised the conference attended by about 150 people.

Its paper said: 'Aircraft with extended mission capabilities - such as the Boeing 777-200LR and the Airbus 340-500 - together with the emergence of competing hubs mean that airlines and their passengers have a wider choice in travel.'

But while 'scepticism over Singapore's future is understandable...we see a fairly bright future for the airport for a number of reasons'.

First, the bulk of Changi's business is centred in the Asia-Pacific region, which is less likely to be affected by long-range aircraft.

Also, the airport has good support from SIA and its regional subsidiary SilkAir which account for close to 40 per cent of its activity.

And while long-range aircraft can fly virtually anywhere, many people do not want to be stuck in a plane for more than 20 hours, said Mr Paul Behnke, director (economics) at Airports Council Internation (ACI), which has 569 members operating over 1,640 airports in 177 countries.

Mr Behnke, who is also at the conference, told The Straits Times: 'People want to get off, walk around, take a shower.

'I once did a quick poll of about 30 people in a room and asked how many of them would fly direct from Sydney to London if the 20-hour service was available. Only one person said yes.'

Another plus for Changi is the foresight to build ahead of capacity, which means it can avoid the problem of serious congestion and continue to provide good service to airlines and travellers, he said.

While there is still surplus capacity at Changi, landing slots are getting tougher to find from about 3pm to midnight, which is usually when long-haul services from Europe are either landing or taking off, said the Centre for Asia-Pacific Aviation.

'It is this shortage of handling capacity around peak hours that is driving the airport's expansion plans.'

When Terminal 3 is ready in 2008, Changi will be able to handle 64 million passengers a year, which should be enough until 2020.

The Airbus 380 jumbo jet is also good news for Changi, said the aviation think-tank.

It is not a long-range aircraft, which means the plane will have to stop at major gateways - and 'few are equipped to handle Airbus' new behemoth in the way that Changi Airport has planned'.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is spending $60 million to upgrade its facilities, including building bigger gates and passenger holding rooms, and adding a third arm to the aerobridge so that it can serve the upper level of the jumbo jet.

As for SIA and other Asia-Pacific carriers, while they will have to compete with Emirates, Ethihad and other fast-growing Middle East airlines, the Association of Asia-Pacific Airlines does not expect this to be a serious problem.

Its director-general, Mr Andrew Herdman, told reporters: 'Clearly, they are going to compete for business not just with carriers in this region but also with European and American airlines.

'In the end, the most efficient carriers will be those that can offer value for money.'

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Dec 7, 2005
New S'pore-Europe air links: Prospects not good

DO NOT expect many more new flights between Singapore and Europe any time soon.

Mr Klaus Geil, of the European Commission's air transport agreements unit, said Singapore is still on the group's radar but member states see better value in expanding air links with China, Russia, India, Australia, New Zealand, Chile and Ukraine.

He told The Straits Times yesterday the European Commission had suggested to the Council of Transport Ministers in March that Singapore is a good candidate for expansion of air links.

The council did not agree.

Why?

'You would have to ask member states that,' said Mr Geil, who was in Kuala Lumpur for the two-day Asia-Pacific and Middle East Aviation Outlook Summit 2006, which ended yesterday.

'I think they want to see added value for their carriers and in this case, they may feel the added value has not been sufficiently demonstrated.'

He also confirmed that talks which started in 2003 between Singapore, Australia and New Zealand as a group and the European Commission ended earlier this year, with no deal made for expanded air links.

Mr Stanley Kuppusamy, vice-president for international relations at Singapore Airlines (SIA), who was also at the conference, told The Straits Times negotiations failed when Australia and New Zealand decided to go their separate ways.

He said: 'When that happened, Singapore had no choice but to do the same.'

In the end, all three countries signed separate deals with the European Commission, which Mr Kuppusamy said, 'gave Singapore nothing'.

There are no provisions in the agreement for more flights or more capacity, he said, adding: 'All it does is allow the European Commission to achieve its own political goal - which is a united Europe.'

Under the new agreement, if Singapore and France, for example, decide to expand bilateral air links and add more flights between the two countries, any other European carrier - even if it is not based in France - can operate the new services.

But the reverse is not true - SIA, for example, cannot operate in the other airline's base country unless Singapore already has air links with that country.

Mr Kuppusamy said: 'The European Commission is forcing you to accept this agreement by sowing in your mind the uncertainty of the legal position of all your bilateral agreements with European countries.'

Not true, said Mr Geil.

He explained that under European Union laws, companies - airlines included - that operate in one country have the right to do the same in another country within the group.

To avoid legal complications in future, the European Commission is signing new deals with countries that have bilateral air service agreements with its member states.

On the agreement signed with Singapore, he said: 'There are no additional air rights in it for us either, which is why Singapore has agreed to the new agreement.'

KARAMJIT KAUR

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

08 December 2005

Jet Airways launches daily flights between Singapore and Chennai
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

Jet Airways has launched a daily flight between Singapore and Chennai.

The Indian carrier, which started the Singapore-Mumbai route earlier this year, has its sights now set on Delhi by the first quarter of next year.

These three Indian cities form the bulk of the air traffic between Singapore and India.

The carrier also plans to expand to flights between Singapore and other South Indian cities such as Hyderabad and Bangalore within two years.

With the airline fares between Singapore and Chennai averaging $900 before taxes for a 3 hour-plus flight, per kilometre travelled, the Singapore-Chennai route is probably one of the most expensive here.

Jet Airways is offering to fly this route at a more competitive rate.

Jet Airways' vice-president for Asia-Pacific, V Raja, said: "It's been a sellers' market but with supply increasing, I am sure prices will stabilise. It is very hazardous to take a guess by what percentage prices will drop because these are governed by so many other market conditions." - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Hop on a Jet Airways flight to Delhi from June

Friday • December 9, 2005

— Dow Jones

Jet Airways of India said yesterday that it was aiming to start flying the Delhi-Singapore route by June next year as part of its network expansion plans.

"We should be starting flights between Delhi and Singapore, and flights between Bangalore and Singapore should start after that," executive director Saroj K Datta said at a briefing in Singapore.

Jet Airways, India's biggest domestic airline by marketshare, started flights between Chennai and Singapore on Wednesday, marking the carrier's second Singapore route after it began flights from Mumbai to the Republic in April.

A return Club Premiere ticket to Chennai is priced at $1,500 and the economy class return fare is $600 for tickets purchased before Dec 15 for journeys that must commence by Dec 31.

The airline expects to break even on the Mumbai-Singapore and Chennai-Singapore routes within a year of operations, Mr Datta said.

Jet Airways currently fills about 72 per cent to 73 per cent of its passenger capacity on its Mumbai-Singapore flights.

Apart from Singapore, Jet Airways' other overseas destinations include Colombo, Kathmandu, Kuala Lumpur and London.

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dec 10, 2005
Singapore-China air cargo volume doubles

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

AIR cargo traffic between Singapore and China is taking off.

In the five years from the start of 2000 to the end of last year, air freight volume between the two countries jumped 110 per cent, with an average annual growth of about 20 per cent.

The upswing comes as Singapore's trade with booming China continues to grow, and as the Republic plays an increasingly vital role as a distribution centre for goods airfreighted from there.

And that lucrative pie will become even bigger, said Mr Ng Wee Hiong, deputy director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

Speaking at an event yesterday to officially welcome Yangtze River Express, China's first exclusively freight airline to fly to Changi Airport, he said: 'The entry of a dedicated Chinese freighter carrier like Yangtze River Express will no doubt contribute even more to the growth of the Singapore-China market.'

The Shanghai-based carrier, which started flying here on Nov 1, operates 12 flights a week between Shanghai and Singapore via Nanning.

Mr Zhang Qiang, the airline's assistant general manager, was equally upbeat about the prospects for China-Singapore cargo traffic.

He said: 'Singapore is a very important air cargo distribution centre in the Asia-Pacific area and in the world.

'There will be many more opportunities for air cargo cooperation between China and Singapore.'

And for other airlines from China and Singapore that want to launch new or extra freight services, getting the necessary air rights will not be a problem.

Last week, Singapore and China concluded an expanded air services agreement, which allows major carriers from both countries an unlimited number of flights to destinations in the other country.

The deal was signed in Beijing by Singapore Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong and Chinese Civil Aviation Minister Yang Yuanyuan.

The introduction of new freight services comes as even more passenger services are being added in and out of Changi, to cope with increased demand during the holiday season.

In a statement yesterday, Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it will add more flights to New Delhi and Amritsar in India, and Perth in Australia, to cater to year-end demand.

The airline, which now flies seven times a week to New Delhi, will add an extra flight on Saturdays, starting later this month.

Next month, another two flights will be available for passengers to the Indian capital, bringing to 10 the total number of weekly services.

An extra service will also be added next month to Amritsar - which Singapore Airlines now serves three times a week.

Last month, two extra flights a week were added to Perth. There are now 21 services each week.

Travellers can also look forward to more services to Taiwan and Malaysia during the coming Chinese New Year holiday. Details will be announced later.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

15 December 2005

Singapore's air freight sector seen benefiting from China trade
By Anjana Menon, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : There has been a growing demand for air cargo services between Singapore and China.

While that is largely due to the current boom in the Chinese economy, analysts say part of the reason for the growth is that China has been importing more electronics products from Singapore.

Last year Singapore exported US$14 billion worth of goods to China, a trend that is likely to be sustained.

Logistics companies have been benefiting from the boom in China, including companies in the air freight sector.

Last month, Yangtze River Express Airlines became the latest air-freight carrier to ply the China-Singapore trade route.

Analysts say the change in the nature of shipments is one key reason for the growing demand for air cargo services between the two countries.

Said Song Seng Wun, regional economist at CIMB-GK Research, "If you look at the pattern of Singapore's trade with China, 15 years ago, 60 percent of what we sent over to China was really related to the oil sector and mineral fuels; that share has now declined to 15 percent. Now we're seeing more parts and components being sent from Singapore for final assembly in China. The small bits and pieces are being shipped mostly by air because of the time-sensitive nature of the tech sector itself.''

According to statistics from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, air freight volumes between Singapore and China have more than doubled since 2000, with an average annual growth rate of 21 percent.

Two key players on the route are SIA Cargo and Federal Express, which together operate 15 flights a week between the two countries.

And analysts say there is room for even higher demand.

Said Mr Song, "I think we still have room to grow in terms of mineral-related chemical products, and electronic parts and components will continue to be supplied by the various multi-national companies with operations in Singapore. I think the trade will continue to expand at a fairly brisk pace."

SIA Cargo recently became the first foreign carrier to be granted permission to carry flammable goods to China.

Yangtze River Express is starting off by offering 12 flights a week between Singapore and China.

But it is expecting to double that number by adding flights to other Chinese cities by the second quarter of 2006. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

15 December 2005

Online boarding passes to help cut down waiting time at Changi Airport
By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : If you are one of those who hates waiting in queues, the increasing use of technology by airlines and airports to speed things up should cheer you up.

Come January, passengers can not only check-in online and choose their seat, they can also print out their own boarding pass, if they are travelling on British Airways.

The carrier is targeting to be the first main service airline to introduce this at Changi in January.

This means shorter waiting time, because passengers can check in as much as an hour later - since they only need to drop off and tag your luggage at designated points, before flying off.

Other carriers like Singapore Airlines are also planning to introduce online boarding passes by the first half of next year - starting with selected routes.

But it is not just the airlines that are working to cut down waiting time.

Changi Airport is working on bringing in self-service kiosks for check-in - scheduled for the first half of next year. - CNA/ms

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

21 October 2005

Airport becomes Singapore's premier shopping mall

Roberto Coloma | Singapore

If Singapore is a shopper's paradise, Changi airport must be its golden gate.

With its plush carpeting, smartly dressed sales staff and modern decor, Changi could be mistaken for a chic mall along the Orchard Road shopping belt were it not for the signs pointing to flight boarding gates -- and the jumbo jets parked beyond the glass walls.

Globetrotting shopaholics do not even have to leave the airport premises to buy a staggering range of products, from a diamond ring costing more than $100 000 to a can of soda worth 70 cents, or an electronic massage chair than can be delivered to your home.

"Changi is the largest shopping mall in Singapore in terms of sales," Jeffrey Loke, assistant commercial director of the airport's operator, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), said.

The CAAS declined to disclose total annual sales, citing competitive reasons, but said one-third of its revenues of more than $500-million in the year to March 2005 came from shop rentals and a percentage of their receipts.

More than 30 000 square metres of space in Changi's two terminals -- a third is under construction -- are dedicated to retail and food and beverage concessions.

Tired shoppers with time to spare can go for a foot massage, have their nails done or check into the airport hotel for a nap.

Business booming

In 2004, Changi enjoyed its busiest year yet, handling a record 30,35-million passengers, and 2005 is shaping up as another strong year. In the eight months to August, 21,12-million passengers passed through Changi, up 7,3% from a year ago.

"About 70% of all travellers buy or eat something in Changi," Loke, of the CAAS, said in an interview.

Europeans burdened by high taxes at home are the biggest duty-free shoppers in Changi, followed closely by Singaporeans and other wealthy Asians.

Including retail and food and beverage earnings, about 60% of the CAAS's revenues are derived from "non-aeronautical" sources, the reverse of the usual revenue ratio for major airports, which earn most of their money from airline-linked services.

More than half of retail sales in Changi are contributed by liquor and perfumes, with watches and tobacco also high on the list of popular items.

In the first six months of this year, retail sales grew 13,3% over the same period in 2004 and 67% over the same period in 2003, the CAAS said.

Following an upgrade launched in 2004, some of the world's most-coveted designer brands have opened plush outlets in the airport.

They include Prada, Gucci, Bulgari and Hermes, which sells silk windbreakers for $3 750 and lambskin shoulder bags for $3 000.

Over at a liquor concession, a limited-edition bottle of Remy Martin Louis XIII cognac in a special decanter with a diamond embedded in the stopper is priced at more than $8 000. Five bottles have been sold so far.

Competition

Singapore competes with other duty-free havens such as Hong Kong in Asia and Dubai in the Middle East.

Loke said that among major international airports, Changi enjoys "one of the highest concession revenues per passenger in the world".

Singapore is the main hub of the so-called Kangaroo Route -- the long-haul travel zone stretching from Australia and New Zealand to Europe -- and Changi's shops aim for the busy transit-passenger market.

"These are the people who will have more than two to three hours to spend here or are travelling between Europe and the region," Loke said.

Wealthy people from developing Asian countries are among the most avid shoppers in Changi.

One Indonesian woman spent more than $100 000 at the Lee Hwa jewellery shop while waiting for her flight. Shoppers from China and India, Asia's most dynamic economies, are also becoming key customers at Changi.

"Indonesians don't buy a lot of items, but they buy the very expensive stuff," said Loke.

The Japanese used to be known as the most lavish spenders among Asian travellers, but Loke said that "somehow their spending is not coming back as strongly as other nationalities".

Singapore Retailers' Association executive director Lau Chuen Wei said Changi "is certainly one of the larger up-market shopping malls in Singapore" and it does not hurt city retailers, some of whom have outlets in the airport.

"So, no, it does not take away very much from the downtown retailers, and especially not those who cater to the mass market," said Lau. "And yes, retail sales generated at the airport are still a contribution to Singapore's economy, hence a strong component of Singapore's retail industry."

With more than eight million visitors entering Singapore every year, tourism accounts for about 5% of the city-state's gross domestic product and is being given high priority in long-term development plans.

Singapore, which has only 4,2-million people, aims to double tourist arrivals to 17-million by 2015, and many of them will surely be spending money in Changi airport. -- AFP

Business Times - 27 Dec 2005

Singapore's Changi airport passenger traffic up 3.3% in Nov

SINGAPORE - Singapore's Changi Airport handled 2.8 million passengers in November, up 3.3 per cent from a year ago, the airport operator said on Tuesday.

Last month's volume was the second highest for the year so far and brings total passengers handled in the first 11 months of 2005 to more than 29 million, up 7 per cent from last year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said. 'Further growth in passenger traffic is expected over the upcoming festive and holiday season,' it said.

For air freight, volumes handled in November totalled 160,357 tonnes, an increase of 7.4 per cent from the same period last year, raising total cargo processed by the airport in the 11 months to November to 1.6 million tonnes, up 2.8 per cent on the year.

Changi Airport is currently served by more than 80 airlines connecting to more than 175 cities worldwide. -- AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

29 December 2005

MM Lee says govt's strategy is to protect hub position, not SIA
By S Ramesh/Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has again emphasised that the government's strategy is to protect Singapore's position as an aviation hub and not Singapore Airlines or its subsidiaries.

He was speaking at his fourth dialogue session with SIA's management and unions on Thursday.

MM Lee also urged SIA to stress on leadership renewal.

In the last two years since the problems brewed between SIA's management and unions, MM Lee had met the groups three times in open dialogue and several more times in separate groups.

Thursday's meeting was to consolidate the gains made so far.

Mr Lee emphasised that trust and confidence between SIA's management and unions is crucial.

Otherwise SIA will not be able to operate flexibly and emerge victorious in the ever-changing global aviation scene.

Mr Lee said that in the next 10 years, the dynamic growth in passenger traffic will come not from the developed countries but from fast-growing economies like China, India, the Gulf area, Russia and Eastern Europe.

He said: "There is nothing we do that they cannot do. They have the talent pool, they have the management, they will hire the trainers, they will study what we do, what the top airlines are doing, they can reproduce. What they cannot reproduce is a cohesive team that puts the whole thing together into one. That is why I believe we stand a chance."

On union leaders, he said, they must keep morale up but prepare their members for change and moderate their expectations.

And he hopes SIA's new chairman Stephen Lee, who takes over in January, will improve communication and trust.

Mr Stephen Lee, who has been on the SIA Board for the last one-and-a-half years, said what's critical is to get the fundamentals right.

He said: "Management and workers working together as one team. This is absolutely necessary for SIA as it faces more intense competition in the years to come. We will have to spend less time internally bargaining, then management can concentrate their efforts in facing up to competition."

Concluding his 3-hour session at the Istana, the Minister Mentor urged unionists to take an important message back to their members.

He said: "What I am asking you is to continue to make it different. Don't make it retrograde. We have got here and we can go higher. There is no reason why we cannot.

"We have got the best educated workforce in the whole region. We made the right decisions, have the confidence that despite all these changes - whether it is Dubai, Qatar or Abu Dhabi or KLIA or whatever - we will be in the business.

"The total experience in SIA and Singapore airport and the Singapore city is what will make us the outstanding centre in this part of the world which we must remain and which can remain.

"You take that message back. You tell them, I have not lived till 82 to be defeatist. We are going to fight and win."

Following the dialogue, there was a question-and-answer session.

Victor Pang, a union leader from the SATS Workers Union, asked that "whatever we help management, there must be some equality to reward us because we won't know what is going on behind the scene."

Responding, MM Lee reassured union leaders that if they perform and increase profitability, then the bargain made will be kept. Profits will also not just go to shareholders.

"It is the business of the government, the NTUC and the arbitration court to make sure there is fair play. I haven't gone into this just to rescue SIA. I've got into this to make sure Singapore has the maximum number of aviation industry jobs and SIA is part of that industry," MM Lee said.

But Mr Lee cautioned against losing sight of the bigger picture by just focusing on wages and allowances.

Staff attrition was another issue raised.

For example, a question was raised about those who left for other airlines and countries.

"I don't want them to leave. I want them to stay. So we have to make conditions conducive for them to consider staying and making SIA their home," said Captain Mok Hin Choon, president of the Airline Pilots Association of Singapore.

MM Lee said that with a well-educated work force, poaching is inevitable but as long as a core of 80 to 90 per cent is kept, the SIA spine will be strong.

Others issues raised were: the need to hive off certain sections of SIA to remain competitive and the re-hiring of workers beyond 62.

Chew Choon Seng, SIA's CEO, said: "The extended employment beyond 62 has to be based on the job being there and needed. Secondly, on terms and conditions that would not make the company uncompetitive on cost." - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2005 MCN International Pte Ltd

Dec 31, 2005
S'pore keen to improve air links with more nations

FIRST, China. Now, the rest of the world. After inking a deal last month for unlimited flights between Singapore and China, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong has his sights on other countries.

The aim is to enhance Singapore's connectivity so that it can boost its air hub status.

As he said during Thursday's Istana meeting that Cabinet ministers had with Singapore Airlines (SIA) manage- ment and unions: 'The greater the connectivity, the better transfer point we become.'

The pact with China opens up the fast-growing China aviation market to SIA, allowing it and its sister airline, SilkAir, to fly to any city in China.

Now, SIA and SilkAir operate 81 weekly passenger flights to nine cities in China.

While admitting that other countries are not likely to be as 'liberal' and 'generous' as China, Mr Yeo believes similar agreements can be signed.

'I think many countries are also realising that if they want their tourism sector to grow, if they want their economies to grow, they must liberalise their aviation regime,' he said.

'So we are working on them. We're telling them that, 'look, Singapore is a good partner because we have a lot of tourists coming through Singapore. If you liberalise with us, you can tap into the market that we have'.'

The air services agreements are part of a larger plan to enhance Changi's position as an air hub.

Besides China, Singapore is also keen to increase air links with India, Australia and parts of Europe.

In addition, Changi Airport will continue to be improved, so that 'the Changi experience for passengers is something that we're not going to find elsewhere in the world'.

After Terminal 2's upgrading is completed, it will be Terminal 1's turn for a facelift, said Mr Yeo.

In the meantime, Terminal 3 is scheduled to be completed in 2008, and he promised that it will be 'unsurpassed' in service and comfort level.

The Government's $300 million fund, announced in Parliament in March this year, will also kick in during the new year to boost its partnership with airlines and draw even more carriers here.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Jan 2, 2006
Take the cover off KL-S'pore route

By Cassey Lee and Ivan Png

THE Malaysian government began a new chapter in the liberalisation of its domestic passenger air travel market when it allowed the budget airline AirAsia to operate in 2002.

There is little doubt that consumers in Malaysia have benefited significantly from this. The relatively low fares offered by AirAsia meant that more consumers can afford to fly both on domestic as well as on a few international routes.

Today, AirAsia's share in the Malaysian domestic market is estimated to be 25 per cent. While some of AirAsia's market share may have come at the expense of national carrier Malaysia Airlines (MAS), most of it is likely to come from the creation of 'new demand' in response to the low fares offered - consumers who would not otherwise have travelled by air.

To the Kuala Lumpur government's credit, both airlines have been allowed to compete. However, there is room for further improvement.

One issue that has been debated in the Singapore Parliament, which then prompted heated discussion in Malaysia's media, is further liberalisation of the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore shuttle route.

Several interesting facts have emerged from this debate.

First, the air fare for this route is relatively high - around RM713 (S$310) for a round-trip between KL and Singapore.

Second, under the 1980 Air Services Agreement (ASA) signed by Malaysia and Singapore, all net revenues of MAS and Singapore Airlines are shared 50:50, with each airline bearing its own operating costs.

Third, both airlines have a dominant position in the KL-Singapore shuttle route. The combined market share of both airlines in this sector is estimated to be 85 per cent.

Singapore's Transport Ministry has stated that it is in favour of opening up the KL-Singapore route to more competition, but that this is only possible if Malaysia agrees to liberalise the ASA. However, in a recent Malaysian media report, KL's Transport Ministry was quoted as not being in favour of changing the present arrangements.

We do not know whether this is an official view of the ministry. We believe the Malaysian government should seriously consider liberalising the KL-Singapore shuttle route by adopting an open skies policy for the route.

The main issue that prevents this appears to be the perception that Singapore will gain more than Malaysia if such a policy is adopted, since MAS has only one destination - Singapore - whereas SIA/SilkAir has many destinations - the major cities in Malaysia. However, this reasoning is too narrow.

First, in estimating the 'national' welfare gains, Malaysia needs to expand its list of 'domestic carriers' to include AirAsia in the ASA negotiations. This implies including airlines that are substantially owned by Malaysians and not just those owned by the Malaysian government (69 per cent of MAS' equity is owned by Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Malaysia's Minister of Finance Inc).

Furthermore, liberalising the sector by allowing new entrants does not entail any subsidy on the part of the KL government. It merely expands business opportunities for Malaysian companies and makes the sector more competitive.

Second, liberalisation will enhance consumer welfare, in the form of benefits arising from more affordable air transport and shorter travel time. Greater competition within this sector would significantly lower fares.

Aside from benefiting local consumers in Malaysia and Singapore, it would also boost tourism in both countries.

The KL-Singapore route is perhaps the busiest of all air passenger routes between Malaysia and other countries. Singapore is also the most important source of Malaysia's tourist arrivals: Some 9.5 million people from Singapore visited Malaysia in 2004.

Furthermore, business will also benefit from lower air transportation costs. Cost-effective transport is key to Kuala Lumpur's role as a regional business hub. More choice and lower fares on the KL-Singapore route will benefit Malaysian business.

Third, there is a commitment among Asean member countries to fully liberalise direct passenger services among member nations by 2008. In December 2004, Brunei, Thailand and Singapore signed an open skies pact to liberalise their air transport sectors ahead of the 2008 deadline. Malaysia will benefit from 'first mover advantages' that would arise from joining such a network of low fare airlines.

In sum, the Malaysian government should seriously consider liberalising the KL-Singapore shuttle route by adopting an open skies policy for this sector. Holding back competition will only forestall the development of Malaysia's airline industry. Sure, there will be adjustment costs in the short run, but these should not prevent Malaysia from adopting policies that will make its economy more competitive in the long run.

Cassey Lee is an associate professor at the University of Malaya. Ivan Png is Kwan Im Thoong Hood Cho Temple Professor at the National University of Singapore and a Nominated MP.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

nice airport, T1 looks old, but still really good, anymore pics?


:okay:

Jan 16, 2006
Record 32m pass through Changi Airport
A sterling year for airport, thanks to new airlines, more flights and attractive fares

By Karamjit Kaur
Transport Correspondent

NEW airlines, more flights and attractive fares combined to make 2005 a record-breaking year for Changi Airport.

More than 32 million passengers passed through Changi last year - a more than 5 per cent jump from the previous record of 30.35 million set in 2004, The Straits Times understands.

The amount of freight handled is also expected to exceed 2004's record 1.78 million tonnes by 2 to 3 per cent, inching past the 1.8 million tonne mark, sources indicate.

Official numbers are expected to be released by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) tomorrow.

Industry players are not surprised Changi had a good year.

Traffic rose for two reasons:

More airlines and flights - As of Dec 1 last year, the airport was served by 83 airlines operating a total of 3,986 flights a week to 179 cities in 57 countries.

In 2004, 74 airlines flew to Changi, operating 3,728 weekly flights to 174 cities in 55 countries.

New carriers that started flying to Singapore last year include China's Yangtze River Express, Adam Air from Indonesia, Pakistan International Airlines and two private Indian carriers - Jet Airways and Air Sahara.

The entry of low-cost carriers like Tiger Airways and Jetstar Asia reduced airfares to regional destinations like Bangkok, Jakarta and Hong Kong.

Depending on the destination and time of travel, airlines were cutting prices by about 20 to 40 per cent to grab market share, said Ms Alicia Seah, general manager of SA Tours.

Boosting traffic were impulse travellers flying out of Singapore on the spur of the moment, said Mr Philip Ho, general manager of travel portal Zuji Singapore, which saw online sales grow by 115 per cent last year over 2004.

More passengers means better business for airport retailers like Nuance-Watson, which operates 16 outlets at the two terminals, selling cosmetics and perfumes.

Executive general manager Ken Tse said that sales last year should hit $185 million, up from 2004's $170 million.

'We especially saw a big jump in sales to Australian, Chinese and Indian travellers,' he said.

'For the last three months of 2005, the Indians overtook the Japanese in terms of total amount spent.'

An optimistic Mr Tse expects passenger traffic this year to continue to grow, by about 8 per cent.

Changi's strong performance last year is consistent with global trends. The International Air Transport Association, which represents 264 airlines, expects passenger traffic for the year to have grown by about 7.8 per cent.

And with strong government backing, Changi aims to stay ahead of the competition from regional air hubs, and meet the threat of new long-range aircraft that can bypass Singapore.

This year, the airport authorities were given $300 million spread over three years, to boost its partnership with airlines and lure even more carriers to Singapore.

Millions are also being spent on upgrading the two existing passenger terminals; building a third to be ready by 2008; constructing a budget terminal for low-cost carriers, which opens in March; and readying airport infrastructure for the world's biggest commercial aircraft, the Airbus 380.

With the government's continued backing of Changi's strategic role, Mr Shukor Yusof, Standard & Poor's aviation editor, said: 'Any potential downside risk for Changi is limited, given the favourable market demand, efficient operations, a strong competitive position and a solid financial profile.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

18 Jan 2006
Singapore Changi Airport Wins 23 Awards in 2005

Changi also sets new records in passenger, cargo and air connectivity numbers

In the year 2005, Singapore Changi Airport was honoured to continue to win commendations from travellers and organisations helping it garner 23 best airport awards. These awards were bestowed upon Changi Airport by international publications and trade organisations. Changi Airport also celebrated another record-breaking year as passenger and cargo numbers hit 32.43 million movements and 1.83 million tonnes respectively in 2005.

Changi Airport's most recent awards came from German and American travellers. Readers of the prestigious Business Traveller ( Germany ) magazine voted Changi the 'Best Airport in the World' and 'Best Airport in Asia Pacific', for the 13th and 4th consecutive year respectively. The two awards were presented to Changi Airport on 17 January 2006 in Frankfurt. In the latest survey conducted by the Global Traveler magazine, the American travelling community voted Changi as the world's best airport. The publication presented the award to Changi Airport on 18 January 2006 in New York.

"Every award Changi Airport wins is a boost to the morale of all airport staff and a recognition of their efforts and commitment to quality service. At the same time, it is a reminder to us not to rest on our laurels. While celebrating a bountiful harvest of 23 awards, we thank Changi's passengers for their support and assure them that our airport staff will remain steadfast in their service commitment", said Mr Wong Woon Liong, Director-General of Civil Aviation, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

"Global Traveler readers have selected Singapore Changi Airport as the 'Best Airport in the World'. It's no wonder, with its beautiful facilities and smooth operations, frequent travellers find that this is not an airport they want to rush through, but enjoy," said Mr Francis X. Gallagher, Publisher & CEO of Global Traveler magazine.

The 32.43 million passenger movements handled by Changi Airport in 2005 represents an increase of 7% over the 30.35 million passenger movements achieved in 2004. Air cargo movement at Changi Airport also continued to perform well last year, with the airport handling a record 1.83 million tonnes of airfreight, a 3.3% growth over the 1.78 million tonnes handled in 2004.

Apart from awards and traffic, Changi Airport's air connectivity reached an all-time high, with 83 airlines operating over 4,000 weekly scheduled flights to 180 cities in 57 countries as at 1 January 2006. In particular, weekly scheduled flights grew by 7% compared to about 3,700 weekly scheduled flights operating at the beginning of 2005. Changi's air network also expanded, with four new airlines joining the family in 2005 - Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Adam Air and Yangtze River Express. Changi Airport also welcomed the return of Pakistan International Airlines and Merpati Nusantara Airlines.

Commenting on future growth, Mr Wong said, "Changi Airport expects its weekly flight frequencies to continue to grow in the first quarter of 2006, with most of these increases coming from Singapore carriers". Singapore Airlines has announced new services to Karachi and Lahore in February 2006 as well as to Abu Dhabi , Dubai and Moscow in March 2006. On 10 January 2006, Tiger Airways commenced 3 weekly services to Danang while Jetstar Asia and Valuair will launch new services to Bangalore and Bali respectively in the first quarter of 2006. "These frequency increases will further enhance Changi's connectivity within Asia, as well as further destinations in the Middle East and Russia ," Mr Wong continued.

http://www.changi.airport.com.sg/changi/press_release_content.jsp?DYNAMIC_FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9853823208128583&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10135298184839546&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302024733&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181068&bmUID=1137599570226

01 February 2006

SATS wins PIA tender to manage Karachi flight kitchen
By Loh Kim Chin, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airport Terminal Services has signed an agreement to provide technical services to Pakistan International Airlines, or PIA.

The services include the management of PIA's flight kitchen at Karachi, as well as to establish quality management systems and improve processes.

SATS will also help PIA to improve and develop its inflight meals.

For the second phase of the collaboration agreement, SATS and PIA will set up a joint venture to provide inflight catering services at airports in Pakistan.

The joint venture company's business will be managed by SATS.

The Singapore ground handler and airline catering services provider was selected after a comprehensive tender and evaluation exercise. - CNA /ct

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 14 Feb 2006

Major management revamp at CAAS unit

New chairman, CEO among changes at subsidiary that develops airport projects abroad

By GEORGE JOSEPH

(SINGAPORE) The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) unit set up to develop and manage airport projects overseas has undergone some key management changes.

The moves come soon after Changi Airport Managers and Partners (S'pore) Pte Ltd (Champs) - a wholly owned subsidiary of CAAS - pulled out at the last minute last September from a bid to build and run New Delhi's international airport.

CAAS, which owns and operates Changi Airport, last month appointed veteran property and construction consultant Chow Kok Fong chief executive officer of Champs - a post that had been vacant for a while.

Just two months earlier in November, corporate veteran and former KPMG partner Bobby Chin Yoke Choong was appointed chairman of the company, replacing Boon Swan Foo.

Sources say there have been other changes in the company's senior management, and that more private sector executives have joined following some resignations.

Besides a chairman and a CEO, Champs is run by general manager James Yip and about 20 senior managers, including several formerly from CAAS.

Mr Chin comes to Champs after many years as global accounting firm KPMG's top man in Singapore operations. He is also chairman of the Urban Redevelopment Authority and a board member of OCBC Bank. He was managing partner of KPMG Singapore from 1992 until his retirement last September and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2003.

New CEO Mr Chow has been with property developers and construction companies for more than 20 years. He spent several years as a senior executive with the CapitaLand group, and used to head the former Construction Industry Development Board.

CAAS formed subsidiaries to capitalise on a global move to upgrade airports, especially in Asia, Latin America and Africa. It was also envisaged that CAAS companies could tap the expertise within CAAS and draw on the track record of Changi Airport as one of the world's best airports.

With airport infrastructure being used to the limit in many parts of the world, airport development and upgrading is growing into a big industry.

According to the Airports Council International, airports spent US$31 billion on new infrastructure in 2004 and another US$36 billion is scheduled to be spent this year.

But the CAAS units have not yet entered the big league of airport developers and operators. They are seen as not aggressive enough in bidding for overseas projects or investing globally.

Champs was recently in the news over its withdrawal from the tender for the privatisation and construction of Delhi airport, following differences of opinion with Indian partner Bharti Enterprises. Champs maintained it needed more than the stipulated time to do a good job with the project, while Bharti was prepared to go ahead with the bid.

The pullout caused some anxiety and unhappiness in India, and this was made known to government leaders. The flap drew a comment from Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew that Singapore would have to change its style if it wanted to remain a major hub amid rising competition from emerging players.

'I think we must learn to take more risks,' he said in November, following a visit to the Middle East and India, singling out the Bharti-Changi consortium as an example of how an opportunity was lost as a result of trying to protect the Singapore brand name.

India is pushing ahead with reforms in the aviation sector to ease foreign ownership limits on airlines and open its skies to foreign airlines. It is also inviting foreign equity participation in the building and running of airports. And so is China, which started its reforms earlier. Together, the Asian giants offer the best opportunities in airport infrastructure investments.

In the past 20 years, there have been more greenfield airport projects in Asia than anywhere else, according to the Geneva-based International Air Transport Association (Iata).

'Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Guanzhou, Shanghai, Osaka and Nagoya have opened completely new facilities. Bangkok will open a new facility sometime in the near future. Major terminal expansions are underway or completed in Singapore, Manila, Taipei, Beijing and so on,' Iata's director of communications Tony Concil told BT.

'At the same time, we face a critical situation in India where investments are lagging behind traffic development. In October, we called for emergency measures in Delhi and Mumbai to address the capacity concerns, as well as a long-term plan for airport development. If not, then the US$12 billion in aircraft orders placed by Indian carriers last year will have no place to operate from when they are delivered. Adherence to safety and global standards will be critical,' said Mr Concil.

The plan to privatise and redevelop Mumbai and Delhi airports was at the forefront of India's ambitious hopes to revitalise air travel and cope with rising demand. India is spending US$150 billion to improve transport infrastructure.

Changi Airport, through its subsidiaries, is also looking at opportunities in China. Through Champs and another subsidiary, Singapore Changi Airport Enterprise (SCAE), it provides consultancy and has invested in airport projects around the world, including Costa Rica, Peru and London's Luton Airport.

More recently, SCAE signed a memorandum of understanding with Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport to provide training and consultancy services to Hangzhou Airport, and for the two airports to explore commercial opportunities jointly.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

^Hmm....seems like they are busy expanding their network....:yes:

March 6, 2006
Seletar bursting at the seams, say firms
If expansion decision is not made soon, they may shift overseas

By Karamjit Kaur
Aviation Correspondent

SINGAPORE'S aerospace industry is booming and companies located around Seletar Airport are desperate to expand facilities that are bursting at the seams.

But for more than two years, repeated requests for expansion have been rejected, they say, because the Government has not decided whether Seletar should be developed for the aerospace industry.

Seletar - Singapore's first airport and a former military airbase and which opened in 1929 - mostly houses aircraft maintenance and repair companies, flight training schools, private chartered flight operators, and medical evacuation services.

Insiders warned that if a decision is not announced soon, Singapore could end up the loser.

It is believed that Senai Airport in Johor, which is controlled by Malaysian tycoon Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary, has offered some of the companies based at Seletar free land if they relocate for the long term.

The Straits Times understands that another option being considered is moving the Seletar companies to a new location near Changi Airport's Runway 3, currently used mostly by the military.

Asked if there were plans to upgrade Seletar Airport and the land around it where about 30 companies are located, the Economic Development Board's director for logistics and transport, Mr Manohar Khiatani, said: 'We are studying all options to ensure that there is sufficient land for aerospace industry growth.'

Many of the Seletar companies prefer to remain in Singapore.

Among these are Australian-based Hawker Pacific, which opened its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility at Seletar Airport in 1973.

'From a strategic point of view, Singapore is the place to be,' said the company's senior vice-president, Mr Rene Frandsen. 'It has the right hub status, the right image and is economically well-driven.

'With the upcoming integrated resorts, we also foresee an increase in corporate and private jet activities.'

But his company here, which maintains Dassault Falcon and Raytheon-manufactured corporate and business aircraft, needs to be upgraded, Mr Frandsen said, adding that with enough facilities, Hawker Pacific could double its business.

'We are prepared to invest $10 million to $15 million in a new facility, but we need a clear indication from the Government on its plans for Seletar,' he said.

'As much as we would like to stay here, if we cannot expand, we will have to consider moving our regional headquarters to, for example, Malaysia, or another neighbouring country.'

Hawker Pacific, which has two hangars in Manila and offices in Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Beijing, is prepared to move to a new location near Changi Airport if necessary, he said.

Jet Aviation, an authorised service centre for Bombardier, Cessna, Gulfstream and Boeing business jets, has seen its business double in the last 12 months, said general manager Thomas Ruedisuehli.

The company's hangar at Seletar can handle up to eight business jets at a time and it has been operating at capacity for the last two years. 'There is more activity in the region, the general economy has improved, and we get more private jets coming in for maintenance and other works.'

Singapore's aerospace industry, with its approximately 100 companies, posted a record $5.2 billion in output last year, up from $4.4 billion in 2004.

Apart from Seletar Airport, companies are also located at Paya Lebar Airport, Loyang and Changi. p> ST Aerospace, which accounted for almost a quarter of the industry's output last year, is also keen to expand operations at Seletar because there is little room for growth at the other locations, said its president Tay Kok Khiang.

'Even the hangars we just built are well-utilised,' he said. 'The point is, we are full and our customer base requires us to support them with more capacity.'

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

March 11, 2006
Outgoing air force boss to be CAAS No. 2
He will assume post in civil aviation authority from May 2

By Karamjit Kaur
Aviation Correspondent

OUTGOING air force chief Major-General Lim Kim Choon is moving to civil aviation after a 30-year career in the military.

Maj-Gen Lim, 48, will be appointed as the second highest-ranking official at the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) from May 2, the CAAS has confirmed in response to queries from The Straits Times.

He will serve as senior deputy director-general. There are two other deputies to the director-general but none is in a senior position.

A CAAS spokesman said Maj-Gen Lim's appointment is 'to strengthen the CAAS' senior management team'.

Sources said it is also to allow him to understudy Mr Wong Woon Liong, who became direc tor-general in 1992, and eventually take over the top job.

Maj-Gen Lim is not new to civil aviation. He joined the CAAS board in May 2001, occupying the seat typically reserved for the air force chief.

He stepped down in August last year to make way for his air force successor, Brigadier-General Ng Chee Khern, who was then director (joint operations and planning directorate).

Mindef said last week that Brig-Gen Ng, now Chief of Staff (Air Staff), will become the next air chief on March 24.

Maj-Gen Lim is joining the CAAS at a time when Changi Airport is fighting fiercely to reinforce its status as one of Asia's busiest and key airports, as it competes with regional heavyweights like Hong Kong, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur.

Last year, Changi handled a record of more than 32 million passengers and more than 1.8 million tonnes of freight.

In two weeks, it will open a new terminal for budget airlines.

Competition is tough.

Kuala Lumpur International Airport built its own low-cost carrier terminal in under nine months and will open it on March 23, just three days before Changi's opening.

Maj-Gen Lim is out of town and could not be reached for comment.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Seems like they are going to open the new skytrain in 2006!!!! :eek:

Here's a model on display at T2
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Budget%20Terminal/DSC023861.jpg

What's on display
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Budget%20Terminal/DSC023821.jpg

The technical info
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Budget%20Terminal/DSC023711.jpg

Route Map
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Budget%20Terminal/DSC023731.jpg

March 16, 2006
Changi's handling fees drop by 10-15%
Airport ground-handling charges down after new player Swissport comes on board

By Karamjit Kaur
Aviation Correspondent

ADDED competition has brought down ground-handling charges at Changi Airport by about 10 to 15 per cent since global giant Swissport started offering passenger check-in, baggage and cargo services last March.

The Swiss-based company, which won the licence to be Changi's third ground-handler in June 2004, now services six airlines including Thai AirAsia, Adam Air and Swiss World Cargo.

Two more - Northwest Airlines currently handled by Changi International Airport Services (CIAS) and Tiger Airways now served by Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats) - will soon be added to the list.

Swissport, which operates in 174 airports in 40 countries, handled 2 million flights and 3.5 million tonnes of cargo last year, with an estimated revenue of $1.85 billion.

The company, which officially opened its 17,600 sq m warehouse at Changi Airport's air freight terminal yesterday, is keen to expand its presence in Asia with Singapore as the regional centre, said Swissport executive vice-president for cargo Ludwig Bertsch.

Capable of handling 250,000 tonnes of cargo a year, the facility will increase Changi's cargo handling capacity to 3 million tonnes.

The Government decided to award the third ground-handling licence to have more competition and lower fees for airlines, enhancing Changi's position as an aviation hub competing with Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Dubai.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong, who officiated at the warehouse opening, was asked by reporters if he was satisfied with the 10 per cent to 15 per cent drop in rates so far.

He said: 'I think it is within the range that we expected. However, we still expect the competition to further intensify and how each of them (the three ground-handlers) will react will be left to be seen.'

Mr Yeo was also asked for an update on the Government's plans for the close to 30 aerospace companies located at Seletar Airport.

Many are frustrated because they have not been allowed to expand their facilities for several years now and have not been told if they will be able to stay at Seletar for the long term.

The Transport Ministry is working with the Economic Development Board (EDB) on how Seletar Airport can be further improved, Mr Yeo said, adding that while one option being considered is to move the companies to a new location near Changi Airport, it has cost implications.

He said: 'Many of the companies have already invested quite a fair bit of money in Seletar.' He added that the development of the land around Seletar Airport comes under the purview of the EDB.

On the issue of Singapore-Australia air rights, he said there has been no official word on Australia's decision more than three weeks ago not to grant Singapore Airlines trans-Pacific rights.

While Singapore will continue to press for a more liberal air services agreement, Mr Yeo said: 'I think they owe us the courtesy of telling us officially about the outcome of our talks.'

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

March 23, 2006
Changi rolls out part of new train system
It's ferrying transit travellers between 2 terminals; open to public next year

By Karamjit Kaur
Aviation Correspondent

CHANGI Airport's new $135 million People Mover System started operating last week to ferry transit passengers between Terminals 1 and 2.

The train, which travels faster than the 16-year-old existing Skytrain, opens to the public early next year. The Skytrain will then cease to operate.

By then, plasma television screens at the stations will announce when the next train is due - a feature not available on the existing system. The train's cabins will also have flight information on liquid crystal display (LCD) screens.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) started work on the new system in 2002. By the time Terminal 3 is ready in 2008, trains running on 6.5km of tracks - compared to about 1.5km now - will be zipping people between the three terminals in minutes. The entire system will have seven stations, up from just two now.

But those heading for Changi's new Budget Terminal - which opens this Sunday - will have to be content with free shuttle buses. A CAAS spokesman told The Straits Times that the People Mover System would not be including that terminal on its route to 'keep costs low' for airlines and passengers.

The Mitsubishi consortium building the system is also working on several other airport train projects in Dubai, the United States and South Korea among others, said Mr Ozaki Takahid, who manages the machinery department at Mitsubishi Corporation.

Other big airports like Kuala Lumpur International Airport and London's Heathrow also use trains to ferry people between the different terminals. Such systems are 'indispensable to any major airport', said the CAAS spokesman, as passengers may have to catch connecting flights in different terminals.

Terminal 2 is now being upgraded at the cost of $250 million, which will add restaurants and shops for both passengers and visitors, among other new facilities.

The $1.75 billion Terminal 3 is also starting to take shape. The main building's physical structure is almost completed.

A passenger on the People Mover System which debuted on Thursday in the restricted area said he looked forward to its onboard flight information features which will come onstream early next year.

Marine engineer Anthony Samarasekera, 50, who lives in Sri Lanka and was catching a flight to Brisbane in Australia, said: 'If you're moving from one terminal to another to catch a flight, you want to know when the boarding gate will close, for example.'

He had one grouse. Although the train was faster - 60kmh compared to the Skytrain's 48kmh - it was a jerkier ride as the train picked up speed to leave a station and decelerated quickly to stop.

CAAS said these glitches will be ironed out.

Retired teacher Alfred Wong, 67, is looking forward to the trains running around the clock instead of from 6am to 1.30am now. He said: 'Planes take off and land 24/7.'

The People Mover System will operate 24 hours by 2008, CAAS said.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-03-23/train.pdf

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Skytrax is a biased agency and always award Chek Lap Kok without any reason. No doubt, CLK is among the best airports but Skytrax loves this airport and hence its always on the top of their charts

March 23, 2006
Changi rolls out part of new train system
It's ferrying transit travellers between 2 terminals; open to public next year

By Karamjit Kaur
Aviation Correspondent

CHANGI Airport's new $135 million People Mover System started operating last week to ferry transit passengers between Terminals 1 and 2.

The train, which travels faster than the 16-year-old existing Skytrain, opens to the public early next year. The Skytrain will then cease to operate.

By then, plasma television screens at the stations will announce when the next train is due - a feature not available on the existing system. The train's cabins will also have flight information on liquid crystal display (LCD) screens.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) started work on the new system in 2002. By the time Terminal 3 is ready in 2008, trains running on 6.5km of tracks - compared to about 1.5km now - will be zipping people between the three terminals in minutes. The entire system will have seven stations, up from just two now.

But those heading for Changi's new Budget Terminal - which opens this Sunday - will have to be content with free shuttle buses. A CAAS spokesman told The Straits Times that the People Mover System would not be including that terminal on its route to 'keep costs low' for airlines and passengers.

The Mitsubishi consortium building the system is also working on several other airport train projects in Dubai, the United States and South Korea among others, said Mr Ozaki Takahid, who manages the machinery department at Mitsubishi Corporation.

Other big airports like Kuala Lumpur International Airport and London's Heathrow also use trains to ferry people between the different terminals. Such systems are 'indispensable to any major airport', said the CAAS spokesman, as passengers may have to catch connecting flights in different terminals.

Terminal 2 is now being upgraded at the cost of $250 million, which will add restaurants and shops for both passengers and visitors, among other new facilities.

The $1.75 billion Terminal 3 is also starting to take shape. The main building's physical structure is almost completed.

A passenger on the People Mover System which debuted on Thursday in the restricted area said he looked forward to its onboard flight information features which will come onstream early next year.

Marine engineer Anthony Samarasekera, 50, who lives in Sri Lanka and was catching a flight to Brisbane in Australia, said: 'If you're moving from one terminal to another to catch a flight, you want to know when the boarding gate will close, for example.'

He had one grouse. Although the train was faster - 60kmh compared to the Skytrain's 48kmh - it was a jerkier ride as the train picked up speed to leave a station and decelerated quickly to stop.

CAAS said these glitches will be ironed out.

Retired teacher Alfred Wong, 67, is looking forward to the trains running around the clock instead of from 6am to 1.30am now. He said: 'Planes take off and land 24/7.'

The People Mover System will operate 24 hours by 2008, CAAS said.

http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/mnt/media/image/launched/2006-03-23/train.pdf

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Since I can't try it when I leave (or maybe I could if time permits), I guess I could try squeezing out a little time like 5 mins or so upon my arrival at Terminal 1 in 5 weeks time to try out the new system (anyone knows how long Changi Airport allows you to stay in the transit area before you must pass through immigration?).

Since I can't try it when I leave (or maybe I could if time permits), I guess I could try squeezing out a little time like 5 mins or so upon my arrival at Terminal 1 in 5 weeks time to try out the new system (anyone knows how long Changi Airport allows you to stay in the transit area before you must pass through immigration?).

Actually according to lianhe zaobao, the public line is opening next friday......:yes:

If lianhe did not get it wrong, it could mean that the current public platform will be closed by next friday for reconstruction works and public passengers will have to board the new trains from a temporary platform across the new track from the new transit platform till the new public platform is completed. Public passengers would be separated from transit passengers by means of them being in separate cars. Speculation....

new transit platform
------------------new tracks---------
temporary public platform
------------------old tracks--------------
old public platform

Or if lianhe got it wrong it would just mean the public will have to take shuttle buses to and from T1 and T2 (I read it in some publication from the system's planner some time ago that it was a possibility) till the new public platform is ready.

If lianhe did not get it wrong, it could mean that the current public platform will be closed by next friday for reconstruction works and public passengers will have to board the new trains from a temporary platform across the new track from the new transit platform till the new public platform is completed. Public passengers would be separated from transit passengers by means of them being in separate cars. Speculation....

new transit platform
------------------new tracks---------
temporary public platform
------------------old tracks--------------
old public platform

Or if lianhe got it wrong it would just mean the public will have to take shuttle buses to and from T1 and T2 (I read it in some publication from the system's planner some time ago that it was a possibility) till the new public platform is ready.

I'm not sure who's right or wrong......maybe we can e-mail CAAS to find out.....:yes:

Those trains look great:D

Since I can't try it when I leave (or maybe I could if time permits), I guess I could try squeezing out a little time like 5 mins or so upon my arrival at Terminal 1 in 5 weeks time to try out the new system (anyone knows how long Changi Airport allows you to stay in the transit area before you must pass through immigration?).

And pictures if you do. :)

I doubt public lines will open soon.

1) Trains have not been tested on this route

2) Track is still hanging in the air, heheh.

24 March 2006

SATS in cargo handling joint venture in China

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) is forming a joint venture with China Aviation Qingdao Liuting Airport.

They are setting up a company called Qingdao Airport Cargo Service to provide cargo handling services to domestic and international airlines at Qingdao Liuting International Airport.

The deal is part of efforts by SATS to boost its investments overseas and establish itself as a leading airport ground-handling player in the Asia-Pacific region.

SATS will initially hold a 49 percent stake in the JV - with its Chinese partner holding the remaining 51 percent.

The shareholdings will be adjusted should a third partner be admitted into the the joint venture.

Qingdao Airport Cargo Service will have an initial registered capital of almost 78.5 million renminbi or about S$16 million.

It will take over the operations of the existing cargo terminal in the airport - as well as construct and operate a new international cargo terminal.

Liuting International Airport is the main commercial airport in China's Shandong province.

Authorities there are aiming to position Qingdao as a premier air cargo hub and encourage further trade in the Shandong region. - CNA/ms

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

April 12, 2006
Sats-Air India group wins Bangalore airport deal

By Karamjit Kaur
Aviation Correspondent

A SINGAPORE Airport Terminal Services (Sats) and Air India consortium has bagged one of two contracts to build and operate a cargo terminal at Bangalore's new international airport, which opens in 2008.

The agreement is expected to be signed before the end of the month. It will be the first cargo contract for the Singapore Airlines (SIA) subsidiary in India.

Sats already provides in-flight catering at four other Indian airports - Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi and Kolkata - through its two joint ventures, Taj-Sats Air Catering and Taj Madras Flight Kitchen.

Bangalore International Airport Limited is due to announce a winner in the ground-handling category. The Sats-Air India team is also competing for this contract, a spokesman told The Straits Times yesterday.

Sats has 15 ground-handling and catering joint ventures in eight markets, including China, Vietnam, Taiwan and Indonesia.

Opportunities are plenty, especially in the region, said a Citigroup aviation analyst, adding that Sats has a better chance of strengthening its foothold overseas if it is de-linked from SIA.

In a paper released on Monday, Ms Corrine Png said that as an independent company, Sats will have better chances to work with airlines and other airports that may not want to partner an SIA-linked company for competitive reasons.

The issue of SIA hiving off Sats and its engineering arm - SIA Engineering Company - was first mooted by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, then-Senior Minister, in April 2004.

Between April and December last year, Sats' earnings from overseas ventures came to $46.9 million, 17.25 per cent more than the $40 million it notched up in the year before.

Growth in this area will continue, 'given the wave of airport upgrades and construction and significant airline capacity expansion in Asia', said Ms Png.

She added that Sats is well-placed to benefit from this, 'given its first-mover advantage and large portfolio of successful joint ventures in Asia'.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 17 Apr 2006

Changi Airport passenger traffic up in Q1

SINGAPORE - Singapore's Changi Airport handled 2.85 million passengers in March, up 8.3 per cent from the previous year and 11.76 per cent higher than in February, the airport operator said on Monday.

This brought the number of passengers passing through Changi to 8.2 million in the three months to March, up 10.2 per cent from the same quarter last year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said.

The March school holidays in the city-state contributed to the volume, with daily passenger traffic exceeding 100,000 during the two weekends at the start and end of the month.

Cargo volumes at Changi also increased 13.5 per cent in March from the year before. For the three months to March, the airport handled 463,000 tonnes of cargo, up 9 per cent. -- AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 18 Apr 2006

Changi passenger traffic highest in March

(SINGAPORE) Some 2.85 million passengers passed through the gates of Changi Airport last month, its highest passenger traffic numbers for the year so far.

The figure was 8.3 per cent higher than that for the same month last year, and also up compared to February 2006's 2.55 million, according to data released by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) yesterday.

Daily passenger traffic numbers surpassed 100,000 during the two weekends of March 11-12 and March 18-19, which marked the beginning and end of the March school holidays.

March's numbers brings the total passenger traffic for the first three months to 8.2 million, which is a 10.2 per cent rise from the first quarter of 2005.

Airfreight movement through Changi was also buoyant in March, with the airport handling 13.5 per cent more freight by tonnage during the month compared to a year earlier. For the first three months of 2006, Changi Airport handled 463,000 tonnes of cargo, an increase of 9 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Changi Airport is Asia's sixth busiest airport, serving 80 airlines with about 4,100 weekly scheduled flights connecting to more than 180 cities in 55 countries.

The airport last month opened its $45 million Budget Terminal to cater for airlines which want to pay lower ground services charges. Currently, only budget carrier Tiger Airways is using it.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 19 Apr 2006

SATS eyes Qantas catering arm

It awaits airline's decision on renewal of Changi ground services contract

SINGAPORE Airport Terminal Services (SATS) is bidding to buy Qantas catering operations in Australia, even as it awaits the Australian airline's decision to renew its ground services contract here in Singapore.

SATS chief executive Ng Chin Hwee declined to comment when contacted yesterday but Dow Jones Newswires quoted unnamed sources as saying that SATS is in the list of potential bidders for Qantas Flight Catering Holdings (QFCH). 'The initial bid was made late last year and recently they went into the next round of bidding,' this person said.

Grant Fenn, Qantas executive manager of associated businesses, confirmed that negotiations with potential buyers were ongoing. 'We are looking at a number of options that include both restructuring and selling,' he was quoted as saying. 'Regarding the sale option, we have had discussions with various players in the industry. No decision has been made regarding the possible sale of these businesses.'

QFCH is a wholly owned subsidiary of the airline which operates two catering businesses - Qantas Flight Catering Ltd and Caterair Airport Services. QFCH has catering centres in five Australian cities - Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. It employs around 3,900 people and reported revenues of A$552.1 million for the year ended June 2005, compared with A$537.2 million a year earlier.

SATS, which controls 80 per cent of the in-flight catering and ground handling services at Singapore's Changi Airport, has been aggressively expanding its global footprint in the lead-up to its potential divestment by parent Singapore Airlines (SIA) and in the face of increasing competition at Changi.

SIA, which owns about 83 per cent of SATS, is expected to make a decision on whether and when to sell SATS - and its other listed subsidiary, SIA Engineering Company - early next month.

The latest news about its Qantas venture comes even as SATS awaits the Australian airline's decision to renew its ground services contract at Changi.

The Qantas contract with SATS for apron and passenger handling contract ended in October, and no deal is yet in sight. Qantas also has a catering contract with SATS which expires this year, while its cargo handling contract has four years to run.

Meanwhile, SATS is moving full steam ahead to become a pan-Asian, if not global, player.

Last year, SATS got about $50.5 million or 23 per cent of its pre-tax profit from its 15 overseas ventures in 10 countries around the Asia-Pacific.

For the first nine months to December 2005, SATS' earnings from overseas ventures totalled $46.9 million, 17.3 per cent more than the $40 million for the year-earlier period.

SATS and the SIA group will be reporting their full year earnings on May 9.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Am flying into changi with tiger air. I assume it will land in the budget terminal. Is there an airport bus to the city and/or taxis or do I have to transfer to terminal1/2"?

Am flying into changi with tiger air. I assume it will land in the budget terminal. Is there an airport bus to the city and/or taxis or do I have to transfer to terminal1/2"?

You can take the free bus to Terminal 2 then transfer to metro or take a cab to the city directly....:yes:

Business Times - 04 May 2006

Changi to improve but keep costs reasonable: Cheow Tong

CAAS honours for the first time, Singapore's top 10 airline customers

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) Changi Airport will continue to improve its products and services while keeping costs reasonable, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said yesterday at a ceremony honouring for the first time, Singapore's top 10 airline customers.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) recognised the 10 with its first-ever Changi Airline Awards.

At a glitzy dinner event at the Marriott Hotel, the CAAS commended British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Garuda Indonesia, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, SilkAir, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and Tiger Airways (in alphabetical order) for carrying the highest passenger loads through Changi Airport in 2005.

The Top 10 airlines recognised for cargo carriage were Cathay Pacific Airways, China Airlines, EVA Airways, Federal Express, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Northwest Airlines, Qantas Airways and Singapore Airlines Cargo.

CAAS also acknowledged 10 airlines which experienced the strongest growth in passenger and cargo movements in 2005, over the previous year.

Accolades were also bestowed on Bangkok Airways, Qatar Airways, SriLankan Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Xiamen Airlines for being the Top 5 Airlines by Growth in Passenger Carriage in 2005.

The Top 5 airlines recognised for growth in cargo carriage in 2005 were Air China, China Eastern Airlines, Qatar Airways, United Parcel Services and Xiamen Airlines.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Yeo noted that an airport's success was not solely determined by its infrastructure or technical excellence.

Rather, it was the quality of an airport's relationship with its partners that distinguished outstanding airports from mediocre ones.

'Like any other healthy relationship, the relationship between an airport and its airline partners is a two-way street,' he said. 'At Changi Airport, we believe in creating a conducive environment for airline growth, through minimising the operating costs of airlines wherever possible. I can assure you that, in today's intensely competitive environment of rising fuel and other operational costs, CAAS is committed to constantly improving its product offerings to airlines, while ensuring costs remain reasonable.'

He noted that airlines at Changi Airport already enjoy the lowest fuel costs in the region, and the second lowest aeronautical charges in Asia.

Mr Yeo pointed out that CAAS had proven its commitment to working closely with airlines during the crisis-ridden 2003, when the industry was hit by a Sars-induced slowdown. That was when the government started rolling out various schemes to help airlines reduce operating costs and improve efficiency at Changi Airport.

It first started with the $210 million Air Hub Development Fund and $40 million Growth Incentive Schemes in 2003.

These schemes were renewed this year with an injection of another $300 million for the next three years.

'Most notably, the renewed scheme features enhancements such as a doubling of landing rebates for expansion of services from Changi to less well-served destinations. Come June 2006, airlines can also enjoy cost-savings on their flight operations at Changi. Based on Iata's feedback, CAAS has reviewed its procedures for the management of air traffic in Changi's airspace. The new procedures, to be implemented in June 2006, will enable air traffic controllers to enhance efficiency and airspace capacity.'

Changi Airport - the sixth busiest in Asia - served 32.4 million passengers and handled 1.83 tonnes of cargo in 2005.

As at April 1 2006, there are 82 scheduled airlines in Changi Airport's network, operating more than 4,000 weekly scheduled flights to 181 cities in 57 countries.

The airport has won dozens of accolades from various global organisations, airline groups and passenger polls for operational efficiency, convenience, ambience, customer friendliness and cost effectiveness.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

May 8, 2006
Changi seeks shopping and dining ideas to boost revenue

By Karamjit Kaur
Aviation Correspondent

IN A bid to boost non-airline earnings, Changi Airport is stepping up efforts to strengthen its position as one of the best duty-free shopping and dining airports in the region.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is conducting face-to-face interviews with travellers to help decide on the mix of shops and food and beverage outlets for a new terminal under construction.

Feedback from more than 1,000 passengers will be used to plan Terminal 3, which opens in 2008.

Improvements may also be made to Terminal 1 and 2, based on the ideas received, a CAAS spokesman told The Straits Times.

The CAAS hopes that by increasing revenues from shopping and food, it can afford to slash the rates it charges airlines to use the airport.

Twenty years ago, 60 per cent of the airport's revenue came from airlines, including landing and parking fees and fees for aerobridge use. Today, 60 per cent - or $559 million of the $970 million earned by the CAAS in the year ended March last year - comes from the more than 160 retail and 60 food and beverage outlets at the airport.

Last year, shopping and dining receipts totalled almost $1 billion - 16 per cent higher than the takings in 2004.

To encourage even more spending, regular price checks are done to ensure airport prices are not higher than those charged in city shops and in other regional airports.

The CAAS is also on a drive to create more awareness among shoppers of the airport's guarantee schemes, the spokesman said.

For example, all shops now display signs promising customers that if they find the same item cheaper at any major department store or selected fixed-price shops in the city, they will be refunded two times the price difference if they produce the relevant receipts within 30 days.

Customers dissatisfied with purchases for any reason can also get refunds - no questions asked - as long as they produce their receipts and return the product in good condition.

Brochures with details of the two schemes are distributed to all shoppers.

Changi Airport tenants support the initiatives, said Mr Ken Tse, general manager of Nuance Watson, which runs more than 15 cosmetic and perfume outlets at the airport.

He said: 'Every month, we check the prices of our products - more than 7,500 items - against those offered by other airports in the region to ensure that we are the cheapest.

'But some travellers, especially those from the United States and Europe, have the impression that airport shopping is expensive. This is not good for business and needs to be corrected so we totally support the CAAS drive to create awareness on the price guarantee schemes we offer.'

The CAAS is also catering for those who visit the airport but do not fly. In the last few years, it has opened new shops and restaurants in the public area of Terminals 1 and 2.

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

08 May 2006

Changi Airport wins Best Airport Asia Award for 20th consecutive year
By Nur Azira Aziz, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Changi Airport continues to be a favourite among its users.

It has bagged the Asian Freight & Supply Chain's 'Best Airport Asia' award for the 20th consecutive year.

The award is based on an annual survey conducted by Hong Kong-based publication CargoNews Asia which polled international shippers, airlines and cargo industry players.

The airport says it also received two other awards in recent months.

DestinAsian magazine, a luxury travel publication, named Changi the 'Best Airport in Asia Pacific' while readers of Business Traveller Middle East voted Changi as the 'Best Airport in the World' for the third consecutive year.

In March this year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, which manages and operates the airport, was also voted the "Airport Authority with the Most Supportive Approach to Travel Retail' at the Global Travel Retails Awards.
- CNA /ls

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

Aiya, Singapore is just a dot on the world map la !
But Changi is a greeatt airport !

Thanks a lot baby stan actually outside of budget terminal is a taxi stand similar to the main terminal 1 an 2 with the old men who meet and greet. no problem. tks.

budget terminal is great , my daughter was quite impressed with it (when we got in the main hall), very colorful if sparse.

Business Times - 09 May 2006

Seletar Airport headed for major upgrading

Area is currently home to some 30 companies in aviation industry

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) The Economic Development Board (EDB) will soon unveil plans to upgrade Seletar Airport and its affiliated facilities.

Industry insiders say that among the proposals being considered are plans to expand the Seletar base area into a second aerospace/aviation hub, rivalling the existing Changi Loyang and the Paya Lebar hubs.

Responding to calls from numerous users of Seletar Airport in recent years to upgrade the facilities amid increasing congestion and rising traffic, the EDB has been working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority to come up with proposals for the redevelopment and upgrading of the area.

The proposals are believed to have been submitted to the Cabinet for approval last year.

Built during the colonial era as a British military airbase, Seletar Airport was taken over by the Singapore government in 1965, when Singapore gained independence. It was handed over to the CAAS in 1972.

Currently some 30 companies - including private air charterers, aircraft component suppliers, flying clubs, logistics and offshore supplies specialists as well as aircraft maintenance and repair (MRO) companies - occupy the airport and its affiliated facilities.

One of the largest companies is ST Aerospace, which services and maintains planes of clients such as AirAsia and Merpati.

Also present at Seletar are Australian aircraft maintenance firm Hawker Pacific and business jets MRO specialist Jet Aviation.

The CAAS oversees the tenants around the airport.

In recent years, many of these companies have indicated that they want to expand their presence at Seletar, but added that they would do so only if there were concrete long-term plans for the redevelopment and upgrading of the airport and the facilities affiliated with it.

However, some charter service operators BT spoke to suggested that the challenge facing Seletar goes beyond just ageing physical facilities and space constraints.

'We face congestion, not just on the ground but also in the skies because of flights heading to or originating from Senai (in Johor), Changi and even Kuala Lumpur,' said an expatriate pilot who works for a multinational air charter and supplies company based in Seletar. 'We happen to be smack centre of a very busy highway in the sky.'

Nevertheless, he conceded that the physical upgrading of the place, including existing facilities, would be a welcome development for an area which has remained somewhat of a sleepy hollow tucked away largely unnoticed on the north-eastern corner of Singapore.

The redevelopment and upgrading of Seletar would be in line with the government's increasing emphasis on making Singapore a premier Asian aerospace and air services hub.

Aerospace is one of the fastest growing industries here.

The industry had an output of $4.5 billion in 2004, accounting for 2.35 per cent of gross domestic product.

More than 30 SMEs are working alongside about 100 multinational companies within the aerospace industry, which employs some 14,000 people.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 18 May 2006

S'pore to open luxury facility at Changi airport

SINGAPORE - Want your private drive-up entrance, check-in, immigration, customs and security counters at the airport?

Throw in a five-star lounge, private rest areas, a business centre equipped with conference rooms and a gym, and relax while being driven in a limousine to your waiting aircraft.

Only if you are a CIP, or a commercially important person.

A 2,000 sq-m facility for exclusive use by CIPs travelling on commercial or private jets will open at Singapore's Changi Airport in August, the developer announced on Thursday.

JetQuay, the joint venture firm which will develop and manage the facility, said in a statement it will be the first of its kind in Asia catering to the CIP market, which includes business executives and wealthy individuals.

The members-only facility will be next to Terminal 2.

Transit passengers who want to meet local guests at the airport will have a meeting room, JetQuay said.

Only an average of 50 passengers a day are expected to use the facility as usage will be based on membership, the statement said without giving details of the cost of membership.

JetQuay is a joint venture involving France-based airport and terminal services company Worldwide Flight Services and two other firms. -- AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved

Some Terminal 2 pictures
1.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Wide%20lens%20Airport/DSC_0012.jpg

2.
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e126/ylstan02/Wide%20lens%20Airport/DSC_0025.jpg

^^nice! Here's mine
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/2543/10016924xo.jpg
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7973/10016930ib.jpg
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3491/10016954kv.jpg

Singapore Airlines, Philippine Airlines and EVA Air
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/2760/10014783ff.jpg

strange... they're not changing the check in counters?

Looks refreshing after the ungrading

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Changi to become more taxi-friendly

New Taxi Management System to be launched next year will cut down queues, waiting time

Monday • May 29, 2006

cheow Xin Yi
xinyic@newstoday.com.sg

ANYONE who has been to Changi Airport will find the sight of taxi queues snaking all the way to the highway a familiar sight.

In a bid to ease this situation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will introduce a new Taxi Management System (TMS) come early next year.

Capable of tracking the entry and exit at the designated taxi holding areas at the Changi Airport, the system will flash information on the number of taxis in the holding areas at all the terminal buildings on an LED display screen, not unlike those showing the number of available lots in car parks.

A CAAS spokesperson said the system, besides helping drivers to make better informed decisions about the queue situation, is also meant to gather "operational data" so as to improve the "level of service and efficiency in the management of taxi requirements at Changi Airport" with other parties such as taxi companies in the future.

"Taxi drivers can decide whether to leave the queue or to divert to another taxi queue if the waiting time is longer. This in turn helps to cut down unnecessary waiting time," he said.

Some taxi drivers told Today that the taxi queues at the airport are a result of their love-hate relationship with waiting at the airport.

While commenting that waiting can be a waste of time, they admitted that most drivers are there to queue for passengers so as to earn the additional $3 airport surcharge, which increases to $5 during peak hours. Many, however, are sceptical whether the system will prove useful.

Said a 39-year-old driver who did not wish to be named: "The taxi queues will always be there, with or without a system. There are quite a number of drivers who are already familiar with the trend of the flight schedules. The schedules are usually fixed, and they will know the period of time when there'll be a number flights in the next two hours, so no matter what, they will still wait. Once the passengers arrive, the queues will usually clear in a short while."

Others, like 60-year-old Mr Leong Y M, does not need the future LED displays to be acquainted with the long queues.

He says he chooses to avoid Changi Airport altogether, even though he "makes it a routine" to check teletext for flight arrival times before starting his shift everyday.

"Sometimes you have to wait up to two hours before you get one passenger who only wants to go to Loyang or Pasir Ris, what's the point? Time is money to taxi drivers."

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

$1.75b Changi Airport's Terminal 3 will be ready in 2008

SINGAPORE: Changi Airport's Terminal 3 will be ready in 2 years and there are more plans to take the "Changi Experience" to a new high said Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong at the $1.75 terminal's topping out ceremony.

This was Mr Yeo's last official event before he relinquished his Cabinet portfolio on Tuesday.

Located just across Changi Airport's Terminal 2, the new Terminal 3 is the largest of the lot - comparable to 63 football fields.

Its architecture and design concepts are also different, employing an environmentally-friendly theme.

The unique roof - the first in an airport - features 900 skylights fitted with reflector panels to regulate lighting within the terminal, and it is expected to help cut electricity bills by $500,000 a year.

"We constructed a mock up of the actual dimension, a 15m long, 15m wide and 18m high mock up to test the concept of the butterfly lourves and the skylight we planned to use at Terminal 3. That mock up proved successful and we tested it for a year, the lighting quality and the ambience in the mock up was very suitable and meet our requirements," said Koh Ming Sue, Senior Engineer, Airport Planning Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

Another highlight is a 5-storey high vertical garden called the "Green Wall".

Upon completion, there will be trains shuttling between 7 stations within the 3 airport terminals and a high-speed baggage transfer system.

Some 70 percent of the project has been completed but the road to realising Terminal 3 hasn't been a smooth one.

Incidents like the financial crisis, September 11 attacks and SARS affected the progress of construction.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said the next step is to upgrade Terminal 1, and he did not rule out the prospect of having a Terminal 4.

The topping out ceremony of Terminal 3 also has a special place in his heart.

"This has been one of my favourite babies, even though I am out of office and no longer a minister, I'll make sure I watch the baby grow up and I'll be back, either to visit or as a user," said Mr Yeo.

Terminal 3 will have a handling capacity of 20 million passengers a year, boosting Changi Airport's capacity to 64 million passengers in 2008. - CNA /dt

Nice Pics!
My fave airport in the world!

Man, I've been to this airport once during my trip to the US - all I can say is that the airport is totally amazing (these pics don't do it any justice! you ought to be there to experience it yourself) and the city of Singapore is like the most beautiful place on earth.

where i shall get the best coffee in SIN? please recommend one.

depends on what kinda coffee you like

Starbucks or kopi at the local coffeeshop?

03 June 2006

Changi Airport celebrates 25th anniversary with shopping festival

SINGAPORE : Changi Airport is celebrating its birthday in a big way.

From now till July 1, passengers at Changi Airport can win $2.5 million worth of prizes in a Jackpot game.

This is part of a 25-week Shopping Festival to celebrate the airport's 25th anniversary.

More than 30,000 passengers have already tried their hands at the jackpot and won shopping vouchers ranging from $250 to $25,000.

They also had a go at other prizes including a sports car.

Many items are also being sold at half-price, as part of the "Changi WOW Weekends" promotion.

Airport authorities will also distribute birthday presents at both the public and transit areas on July 1.

And if it's your birthday on that day, you can collect a limited edition Changi Airport Sasha Bear.

There will also be a travelling exhibition that will showcase Changi Airport's achievements over the last 25 years.

It will be displayed at Changi Airport till July 31, after which it will travel to other locations such as community libraries and tertiary institutions.
- CNA /ls

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

16 June 2006

Shanghai Airlines flies cargo into Singapore for first time
By Jeana Wong, Channel NewsAsia

The demand for air cargo services between China and Singapore will see tremendous growth, according to Shanghai Airlines.

The carrier launched its inaugural cargo flight from Shanghai to Singapore on Friday.

The airline also hopes to start passenger flights between Singapore and Shanghai next year.

Shanghai Airlines commands 40 percent of the Singapore-China air cargo market.

But it is set to be a key player in the sector.

Shanghai Airlines has scheduled 16 flights a week between the two countries, more than any of the other players in the sector.

The other players are Singapore Airlines Cargo, with 15 flights; Yangtze River Express, with eight; and FedEx, with one.

The newcomer says that Shanghai's air cargo volume is growing strongly, making up nearly half of China's total volume last year.

The air freight throughput between Singapore and China amounted to nearly 130,000 tonnes in 2005, representing a 17 percent jump over 2004.

And the air cargo volume between Singapore and Shanghai grew an even stronger 20 percent on year.

Shanghai Airlines says it also has plans to grow its operations in Singapore, the first of which is to start daily passenger flights to Singapore.

Ding Xingguo, senior vice-president of Shanghai Airlines, said: "Singapore is a key air travel and cargo hub. Our company very much hopes to set up a Shanghai-Singapore passenger flight soon....We have started applying for the rights.

"China Eastern Airlines, China Airlines and Singapore Airlines now ply this route and their network coverage is pretty wide. So it's an issue of air rights. Once the rights are approved, we're ready to come in."

Shanghai Airlines is hoping to become a full member of the Star Alliance in a year's time.

It says that will open up opportunities for the carrier to work with Singapore Airlines on pilot training and aircraft maintenance programmes.

Altogether, there are 13 airlines flying between Singapore and 19 cities in China. - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

The sexy grand prize for the Changi Shopping Sale....:cool:

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/730/dsc00071mm.jpg

A lady trying out the beautiful Maserati GranSport Spyder
http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/7389/dsc00080pg.jpg

Singapore Changi International Airport is indeed an amazing airport. Where else can you see an airport with a swimming pool and and orchid garden? I mean, the airport epitomizes sustainable and eco-friendly airport development.

The airport's terminals, unlike the ultra-modern looks of: Seoul Incheon Inbternational Airport, Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport, Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and Beijing-Capital International Airport's (soon to completed) Terminal 3; Changi's terminals blend perfectly with the green environment outside. This further enhances it's claim as a "garden city".

This airport does not have the big-hub or monstrous feel of the afformentioned airports. And for that, I am happy for and extremely jealous at the Lion City.

Some description about the Changi T1 upgrading.....:yes: (from Straits Times 1/7/06, Changi Airport 25th year anniversary specials section)
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8285/dsc0004changi3tt.jpg

July 2, 2006
Just three planes on the tarmac on Changi's first night
25 staff members who have worked at Changi Airport for the past 25 years honoured

By Karamjit Kaur


THE day before Changi Airport opened on July 1, 1981, Mr Sim Kee Boon, then permanent secretary at the Ministry of Communications, spent the night there.

Tasked to build Singapore's new $1.5 billion airport, he had spent the previous six years on the project and wanted to make sure nothing went wrong on the big day.

He told The Sunday Times: 'We had done all the trial runs and I was confident it would all go well but still, I wanted to be there when the airport actually opened - just to be sure.'

Except for a temporary computer glitch in the flight information system, everything else went smoothly, said Mr Sim who left the ministry in 1984.

He is chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) executive committee on airport development.

Mr Sim, who joined about 1,000 other guests at Swissotel The Stamford to celebrate Changi Airport's 25th birthday yesterday, credits the airport's success mainly to its culture of always putting the customer first.

He said: 'This culture has not changed after all these years.'

No detail is overlooked in the quest for excellence.

So if one bulb on a display panel blows, all the lights are turned off until that one bulb is replaced so that the passenger is spared 'an untidy sight'.

At the end of the day, it is to the credit of every member of the Changi family that the airport has grown from strength to strength, Mr Sim said.

They include people like engineering supervisor Mr Lim Kong Chuan, whose first job was as an apprentice at the old Paya Lebar airport, wiping grease off aeroplane parts.

His pay: $53 a month.

More than 40 years later, he is now a supervisor at SIA Engineering, earning about $3,000 a month. He remembers the airport's first night in 1981 when only three aeroplanes were parked on the tarmac.

'The airport was so huge and there were only three planes. That night, I wondered how we were ever going to fill up the airport. It seemed impossible. But look at Changi now. Whoever thought it was going to be this busy?' said Mr Lim, now a 60-year-old father of two grown-up children.

He was among 25 airport staff who were honoured at yesterday's celebrations. These people have worked at Changi Airport for the past 25 years.

Another recipient, Mr Abdul Hamid Ahmad, 56, remembers the public excitement when the first commercial flight landed on Changi's tarmac on opening day.

'The viewing gallery was crowded with people, both staff and members of the public. It was a novelty to see the plane touch the runway because there were no viewing galleries at Paya Lebar,' said Mr Abdul Hamid, a duty manager for cargo and flight operations at German airline company Lufthansa.

Mr Tay Kim Seng, a supervisor with the airport's meteorological station for 42 years, remembers the first few critical hours when the airport took over operations from Paya Lebar.

'We were under great pressure...Many of us worked late that night to make sure things went smoothly,' said the 59-year-old.

Old-timers like him have no plans to leave their jobs at the airport, which has become their home and their source of pride. Said Mr Tay: 'We're all very proud to have contributed in one way or other to its progress, no matter how little we've done.'

ndianah@sph.com.sg

karam@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

July 27, 2006
S'pore among top centres of air travel

LONDON - SINGAPORE figures among the top three centres of global air travel, with five of the world's top 10 fastest growing long-haul routes going through the Republic's airport, says a new report.

Singapore is second only to London, which accounts for six of the top 10 routes, while Dubai is No. 3 with two routes.

The analysis by Ascend, a leading provider of consultancy services in the global aerospace industry, reaffirms Singapore's position as a top destination, despite growing competition in the aviation sector.

'The rise in importance of Dubai and Singapore to global aviation reflects the liberal regulatory approach to the airline industry taken by their respective governments,' said Ascend managing director Gehan Talwatte.

Several government leaders have said that establishing Changi's position and links with other major hubs is critical to its success, and securing this aim is more important that protecting domestic carriers such as Singapore Airlines from competition.

The London-Dubai route, which has grown faster than any other in the past 10 years, takes the top spot in the London-based company's report.

The second fastest-growing route is that between London and Chicago, while the third spot is taken up by the London-Hong Kong route.

Singapore figures in the fourth and fifth places with its links to Melbourne and Sydney, respectively.

The number of available seats between Melbourne and Singapore has more than doubled over the last decade, with about 770,000 seats in the first half of this year, says the report.

Somewhat similar was the Singapore-Sydney route, with more than 900,000 seats now available in the first half of this year, compared to slightly more than 500,000 in the first half of 1996.

The Republic is also part of three other growing long-haul routes that link it to London, Dubai and Brisbane that are in the top 10 rankings.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

thats good news for the airport ^^^

Aug 1, 2006
Changi serves 9.1% more passengers in 1st half 2006

By Straits Times Interactive, Ng Ai Lian

MORE passengers and cargoes are flying through Changi Airport from January to June, registering a higher traffic than the same period last year.

A total of 16.84 million passengers have passed through the airport in the first six months, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in a statement on Tuesday.

This is a 9.1 per cent increase over the first half of 2005, it said.

June saw the highest passenger movements, with more than 100,000 travellers every weekend.

On the air cargo front, Changi Airport handled over 930,000 tonnes of air freight in the first half this year, registering a 6.9 per cent year-on-year growth.

CAAS attributed the traffic growth to increase in flights from new ones launched by both foreign and local carriers.

New city links were also added to Changi Airport's network. Between July 1 last year and June 30 this year, new destinations to Islamabad, Lahore, Abu Dhabi, Haikou and Tianjin were opened up.

'CAAS is continuously working with our airline partners to mount new flights to and through Changi Airport,' said the Director-General of Civil Aviation, Mr Wong Woon Liong.

'We also appreciate that the airline industry is currently operating in a very difficult and challenging business environment, specifically the record-high fuel prices which have suppressed yields,' he said.

In December last year, Adam Air commenced with 14 weekly flights between Jakarta and Singapore.

Existing airlines that introduced new routes included Jet Airways' 14 weekly flights to Chennai, Shanghai Airlines' 16 weekly cargo flights to Shanghai and Tiger Airways, with its new flights to Guangzhou, Haikou and Shenzhen. Budget airline Jetstar Asia also launched new flights to Bangalore.

Local carriers added to the traffic with their increased flight frequencies. Singapore Airlines mounted more flights to Adelaide, Hong Kong, Ho Chi Minh, Penang, Guangzhou and Taipei. SilkAir upped frequencies to Shenzhen, Xiamen, Chengdu and Chongqing, as well as Medan and Phuket.

As at July 1, Changi Airport is served by more than 80 airlines with over 4,000 flights connecting to more than 180 cities in 57 countries.

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

best airpot I have been especially for entertainment :)

^ I see....:)

^ This got me curious ... what do you mean by "especially for entertainment :)" and "I see :)"
Did I miss something special while at Changi? :)

Business Times - 31 Aug 2006

Changi's July passenger traffic up 5.2%

SINGAPORE - Singapore's Changi Airport handled 3.05 million passengers in July, up 5.2 per cent from a year earlier. Some 19.9 million passengers passed through Changi for the first seven months of 2006, up 8.5 per cent from last year, the airport operator said on Thursday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said that cargo throughout rose 2.2 per cent year-on-year growth in July to 158,300 tonnes.

Changi Airport is served by about 80 airlines with routes to over 180 cities. -- AFP

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 02 Sep 2006

Changi, Seletar gear up for the IMF jet set

Bookings up for exec jets, security being tightened for IMF/World Bank meetings

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) Singapore's two commercial airports are set for a rush of private jets in the lead-up to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank meetings.

More than 16,000 delegates and officials from over 180 countries will attend the meetings from Sept 11 to 20 at Suntec Convention Centre. And aviation sources say many VIPs will fly in on executive jets to save time and avoid airport security hassles.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) say they have no official information about arrivals by private jet.

But the recently revamped JetQuay CIP Terminal at Changi which caters to these aircraft is bracing itself to receive plenty of politicians, bankers and corporate chieftains next week.

JetQuay officials declined to comment, citing client confidentiality and security. But sources close to the VIP terminal operator say bookings for private jets have increased in recent days. Across town at Seletar Airport, security is being beefed up - not just to handle an expected increase in passengers but also to protect the numerous Gulfstreams, Bombardier Challengers, Learjets and the French Falcon 900s that could be parked there during the week of the IMF/World Bank meetings.

'A substantial number of these planes will be flying into Singapore, and Seletar is designating parking spaces for many of them,' said a source. 'Security is being significantly tightened.'

Besides delegates who fly in on private jets, many visitors arriving at Changi on commercial flights are expected to hop across to neighbouring cities like Bangkok, Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur to meet clients, business associates and their regional offices.

So private jet operators are gearing up to meet this demand also.

Executive Jets Asia, which operates a fleet of jets for regional hire, has flown in three of its jets to Singapore.

'Many executives want the flexibility and time savings which private jet charter provides,' said executive director David Ho. 'We already have three Learjets on standby for clients who want to take the opportunity to fly to other destinations around the region before heading home to Europe or the Americas.'

Use of executive jets has soared worldwide in recent years, boosted by security concerns, the demand for flexibility and time savings. The biggest increase has been in East Asia, where Beijing, for instance, now handles 100 non-commercial charter flight movements a month - about twice the frequency at Tokyo.

In Europe, the recent bomb scare in London and the subsequent logjams at airports saw a spike in demand for private jets. Operators like Sentient Jet and OneSky Jet Network said business surged between 150 per cent and 300 per cent in the week after the terror alert.

Executive jet operators charge one-way hourly rates ranging from around US$4,000 for five-seat light jets to US$9,800 an hour on 10-seat luxury jets, which can fly almost 6,000 km non-stop.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

03 September 2006
IMF/World Bank delegates can enjoy VVIP treatment at newly opened luxury terminal
By Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia

Some of the IMF/World Bank delegates arriving in Singapore will be among the first to get a taste of the new $10 million luxury terminal at Changi Airport.

Zero waiting time is what the Luxury Terminal JetQuay at Changi Airport claims to offer to departing passengers.

Their luggage and check-in will be handled by the service staff while the guests are whisked away to the lounge where they can enjoy fine dining, surf the Net, go for a run or catch a nap.

The luxury terminal also offers 4 private meeting rooms.

Membership will cost individuals an annual fee of $1,000 over and above a membership application fee of $1,000.

Other charges apply for corporations or small, medium enterprises.

More charges will apply when one utilises its services.

With an extra $1,000, members could get the VVIP treatment - that is to be ferried to your plane in the luxury of a limousine.

The limousine ride will cost non-members $2,000.

Another but less luxurious option is the JetQuay electric cart, which will ferry members to the departure gate at $250.

The price is $500 for non-members.

JetQuay is the first luxury terminal in Asia and its investors say that Germany is the only other place in the world that has such specialised luxury terminals.

JetQuay is a joint venture between local air cargo handler Worldwide Flight Services, VIP club operator Superior Travellers Services, and logistics company Sembawang Kimtrans.

Jeff Bent, Worldwide Flight Services' Director, said: "I think Singapore is a very good market to open a luxury terminal. It is a centre for private banking in Asia and there are a lot of high net worth individuals here. We expect to have over 50 customers per day by the end of the year, over 100 customers a day in the second and third years." - CNA/ir

wicked pictures. i haven't been to terminal 3 before, hopefully it will look spectacular once its been finished. I have not been to terminal 1 for a very long time.

wicked pictures. i haven't been to terminal 3 before, hopefully it will look spectacular once its been finished. I have not been to terminal 1 for a very long time.

Yeah hopefully.....:yes:

Oct 14, 2006
Changi Airport set to beat target of 35m passengers
It saw 7.7% more passengers in the first 9 months this year compared to last year's period

By Lim Wei Chean

CHANGI Airport saw 7.7 per cent more passengers in the first nine months of the year than over the same period last year.

If this keeps up, the year's target of 35 million passengers will be surpassed.

Giving this update yesterday, Minister of State for Finance and Transport, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua said: 'Part of Changi Airport's success is due to its strategy to be more than just a place for passengers to board or disembark from an aircraft.'

Changi aims to provide a 'vibrant airport experience', she said, noting that the new Emirates Lounge which she declared open in Terminal 1 yesterday will contribute to this experience.

The 853 sq m lounge, which caters to First and Business class passengers on board Emirates flights, is the largest of its kind in the carrier's Asia-Pacific network.

Mrs Lim also said that come 2008, with the completion of the $1.75 billion Terminal 3, Changi will be able to handle 64 million passengers every year.

And to build up the Republic's status as an axis for air travel, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore rolled out the $300 million Air Hub Development Fund earlier this year.

All airlines have benefited from the fund, from which come incentives such as a 15-per-cent rebate on landing fees and subsidies for rental of office space.

Among the carriers that have benefited is Emirates airline, which yesterday opened its new $3 million lounge.

The airline's president, Mr Tim Clark, said the investment is 'a further testimony' of its long-term commitment to Singapore.

The carrier waited two years to get the space for the lounge, which overlooks Terminal 1's runway and parking bays.

Designed along the lines of the airline's Dubai lounge, the one here seats 182 passengers and offers them a dining room, business centre, shower amenities and massage chairs.

The airline has set aside US$13 million (S$21 million) to develop lounges worldwide, said Mr Clark. Within the region, the airports in Hong Kong, Melbourne, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok have been identified as locations for the others.

Emirates began with three weekly flights to Singapore in 1990. Its presence here has grown to 42 weekly flights and it now competes head on with Singapore Airlines (SIA) in some of the growing markets.

Commenting on how the airline was hit by delays in the delivery of the Airbus A380, Mr Clark said the plan was to have 156 planes by 2010, but this will now be set back at least two years.

The airline's top priority now is to recapture ground lost on its expansion plans, he said.

And like SIA, Emirates will also look into increasing its number of flights into the region and muscling into the pie in Australia, China and India, he said.

However, unlike SIA, it will not go into low-cost carriers, although its home base, Dubai, welcomes budget airlines.

Mr Clark also said he did not see Emirates' presence at Changi as running counter to its task of growing Dubai as an air hub.

The lounge in Changi, he said, is part of the global service network for Emirates' customers.

weichean@sph.com.sg

Copyright © 2006 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Some pictures taken in July 06

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Business Times - 30 Oct 2006

First Indian budget carrier begins S'pore flights

Air India Express will initially operate 10 flights a week from Chennai

By AMIT ROY CHOUDHURY

(SINGAPORE) Indian budget carrier Air India Express made its inaugural flight to Changi Airport from Chennai yesterday evening. With this, it became the first India-based budget carrier to fly to Singapore. Air India Express is a subsidiary of India's national carrier Air India, and Singapore is the airline's first international destination in the Asia-Pacific region.

Passengers and crew on board the flight were welcomed by the Indian High Commissioner in Singapore, Alok Prasad, and the acting director-general of civil aviation, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Chiang Hai Eng.

Air India Express will initially operate 10 weekly flights between Singapore and Chennai from Changi Airport's Terminal 1.

The flight departs Chennai at 11.55am and arrives in Singapore at 6.20pm. The return flight leaves Singapore at 7.25pm, arriving in Chennai at 8.55pm.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, Mr Chiang said: 'The launch of Air India Express' service to Singapore is indeed very timely, as air traffic between India and Singapore has grown from strength to strength over recent years.'

According to him, in the first nine months of this year, total passenger movements between India and Singapore reached 1.5 million, a growth of 22 per cent, compared to the same period in 2005.

In the first nine months, passenger movements on the Chennai-Singapore sector also saw a very strong 15 per cent year-on-year growth. 'With its low cost, low fare operating model, I am sure that the entry of Air India Express will stimulate even greater people flows between Singapore and Chennai, as well as other parts of South India,' Mr Chiang added.

Also among the VIPs welcoming the budget carrier at Changi Airport was Air India group chairman V Thulasidas.

Speaking to reporters while awaiting the arrival of the inaugural flight at 7pm, Mr Thulasidas revealed that the merger of Air India and sister airline Indian Airlines would be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2007. He said that an initial public offering (IPO) of the enlarged airline was being planned for 2008, but added that there was no firm deadline yet on this.

Mr Thulasidas also revealed that Air India Express would, in time, also start services to Singapore from other southern India destinations such as Hyderabad, Trichy and perhaps Bangalore. But Mumbai and New Delhi were out of the economically effective range of the Boeing 737-8 aircraft, he said.

Mr Thulasidas also stressed that Air India Express' service would be independent of the parent airline and would not replace the latter's full service flights between Singapore and destinations in India.

Some 160 passengers arrived yesterday on the inaugural flight from Chennai.

At present, Jetstar Asia is the only budget airline that now flies between Singapore and India, landing in Bangalore. Jetstar used to fly to Kolkata as well but has stopped doing so for some time now.

Tiger Airways also has landing rights to Kolkata but has yet to operate flights. Full-service airlines that ply the Singapore-Chennai route are Singapore Airlines and Indian carriers Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.

Seats are tough to come by for the four-hour flight, especially during the year-end peak when round-trip fares are jacked up beyond $1,000 with all taxes and surcharges thrown in.

With Air India Express' entry into the Singapore-Chennai route, travellers can expect fares to go down as the budget carrier is expected to charge about 25 per cent less than full-service airlines.

With the addition of Air India Express, Changi Airport now serves 83 scheduled airlines which connect Singapore to more than 180 cities in over 55 countries via more than 4,100 weekly scheduled flights.

Copyright © 2005 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.