by Kazuo Lim Khee Boon

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Do you have an overview of Changi International Airport pics?

Nice pictures nazrey!
These were found by huaiwei:
http://e.1asphost.com/sssc/Aviation/Aviation2.jpg
Taken 2001 Shows the existing airport, with the reclaimed land for expansion at the bottom left. (with my annotations)

http://e.1asphost.com/sssc/Aviation/AirlinersNetPhotoID171015.jpg
Taken 2002 The northern tip of the new runway can be seen.

http://e.1asphost.com/sssc/Aviation/AirlinersNetPhotoID232454.jpg
Taken 2002 The new runway can be clearly seen, with taxiways to be built next.

Em... wow great la.I like it :eek:
Thank you

I'm so excited cos' i'll be one one of those planes looking out the window at the world below tomorrow! I'll take lots of pics, k?

That's lot of thanks if I can see ya .

Originally posted by EyeToEye

I'm so excited cos' i'll be one one of those planes looking out the window at the world below tomorrow! I'll take lots of pics, k? Hm...and where do you happen to be going to? ;)

Airport was used by more travellers last month than in November last year - the first year-on-year increase since March

12 Dec 2003

By Karamjit Kaur And Goh Chin Lian

AFTER eight months of turmoil caused by the Sars outbreak, it's clear skies again for airlines, the latest figures from Changi Airport show.

More passengers used the airport last month than in November a year ago. This is the first year-on-year increase since March this year, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

Last month, Changi handled 2.4 million passengers, 2.3 per cent more than in November last year.

At the height of the Sars scare, the comparable numbers for April and May were down by nearly half.

No wonder CAAS director-general of civil aviation Wong Woon Liong was all smiles when he welcomed Qatar Airways on its first landing at Changi yesterday at 11am.

The CAAS said in a statement: 'The arrival of Qatar Airways marks a double joy for Changi Airport as we also celebrate an increase in our passenger traffic for November, the first year-on-year increase since Sars hit.'

The Sars scare all but emptied many flights, causing Asian carriers to lose more than $2.5 billion and forcing Singapore Airlines to axe more than a third of its flights.

With the arrival of Qatar Airways, Changi's fifth new customer this year, the airport now services 68 airlines and is linked to 150 cities in 51 countries. The other four are Xiamen Airlines, Air Hong Kong, Riau Airlines and Lion Air.

The addition of a new airline and a new link is significant, said the CAAS' Mr Wong, as it 'reinforces Singapore's position as an aviation hub in the region'.

In April, before the full impact of Sars hit, 64 airlines used Changi and connected Singapore to 134 cities. By June, the number had fallen to 56 carriers and 122 cities.

Qatar Airways will fly three times a week between Doha and Singapore.

Changi Airport handled just over 3,200 flights per week last month. It has some catching up to do. The week before Sars hit Singapore, there were 3,400 flights.

Since the CAAS earns its living mostly from food and beverage outlets - about 60 per cent of its revenue - the number of passengers handled is more significant.

Outside the airport, cash registers at restaurants, shops and hotels have also been ringing in the past months.

Since September, restaurants have seen more tourists, mainly from China, Indonesia and Japan, said Restaurant Association of Singapore president Lee Tong Soon.

Hotel Phoenix is 95 per cent full, the best this year, said general manager Noel Hawkes. 'We were chock-a-block with Indonesians during the Hari Raya period and there are a lot of corporate meetings.'

April was the lowest point, when occupancy plunged to 23 per cent.

The outlook for next year is positive, with three major events - Asian Aerospace 2004 in February, Food&HotelAsia 2004 in April and CommunicAsia2004 in June - expected to bring in about 55,000 business travellers.

Said Mr Hawkes: 'People are travelling again - barring any unforeseen circumstances, we'll have to say.'

This a nice propose terminal project .
Hope to see Changi is a bigger
http://e.1asphost.com/sssc/Aviation/Aviation2.jpg

The picture dosent seem to work.......

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/85changi.jpg

SINGAPORE -- Changi Airport's Terminal 2 will get a S$240 million (US$138 million) facelift by 2005 to boost its stature as a regional aviation hub, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (Caas) said on Thursday.

The 13-year-old terminal will sport a new glass facade that will allow natural light into the departure area on completion, Caas said in a statement.

A bigger canopy will also be constructed to shield passengers from the rain when alighting from their vehicles on the departure level.

Its interiors will be reorganised to make it easier for passengers to move around and more space will be alloted for retail, food and beverage shops, landscape and seating facilities.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong, who inspected the renovation work on Thursday, also announced a separate $40-million scheme to reward airlines that increase their passenger traffic to Changi.

The scheme will take effect for two years from Jan 2004.

'We recognise the importance our airline partners play in contributing to the growth of our position as an international hub,' Mr Yeo said. -- AFP

Rendering of kerbside departure
http://www.changiairport.com.sg/media/Changi/images/content/PublicRelations/en/T2Upgrading.jpg

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/imagegallery/store/phpvidqSM.jpg

SINGAPORE : Most Singaporean travellers just zip in and out of Changi Airport.

But if travellers have a few hours to spare, they can find several hidden corners that will entertain you in the transit area.

Imagine a swimming pool right smack in the heart of Changi.

While many may not realise it, that is exactly what one can find in Terminal 1, tucked away just above the Skytrain station.

And while the upgrading for this terminal has not really taken off yet, it has already received a $800,000 Rainforest Lounge that opened officially about two months ago - with jacuzzis and rest beds.

Meanwhile, over at Terminal 2, additions have been made to existing features like a cinema that screens the latest blockbusters.

And there is also a year-old sunflower garden that has become a favourite with many travellers wanting to get out into the open.

And what is a Singapore airport experience without that one staple - shopping.

Airport authorities say that a substantial portion of the $240 million earmarked for Terminal 2's upgrading will go towards allocating more shop space.

This is something they say passengers asked for.

"The facilities are clean, the shopping is quite cheap I only bought cosmetics and it is cheap," said one shopper.

"It's great! Many shops, many lounges, more cafes we can take more time. It's really convenient here compared to the other airports," said another.

cool,
i will be there at the end of the month..
just came through klia and i must say i hate it,,,, sucks compared to singapore and HK

Good if your in transit for a few hours

Changi named world's best airport

It wins 18 top awards from industry organisations, magazines; SIA shares top honours as best airline

By Karamjit Kaur

CHANGI Airport is putting up a tough fight to ward off the competition, bagging 18 of the top awards given out last year by aviation organisations and industry magazines. It was, for example, named the best airport in the world and the Asia-Pacific region, in the Global Airport Monitor of the International Air Transport Association (Iata). Changi beat more than 10 other airports which handle 25 to 40 million passengers, to clinch the top prizes in the surveys done by Iata, which represents more than 250 airlines.

In another key passenger survey, though Changi lost out to Hong Kong, the contest was very close, according to London-based airline consultancy Skytrax Research, which compiled the results. Close to 1.7 million travellers took part in Skytrax's survey which rated airports on different variables, including passenger service standards, ground transport services and security/immigration services. Third after Hong Kong and Changi was Dubai International Airport.

Passengers polled by Skytrax may have rated Changi second, but the consultancy, which is conducting its own airport audits, has awarded five stars to Changi and only to Changi so far, for a high level of service and product delivery. The Skytrax audit covers not just airport staff but also service levels at airport restaurant and shops.

A Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) spokesman said: 'We are very happy Changi Airport is the first and only airport that has been rated '5 stars' in the Skytrax audit. While Changi has performed well in the audit, we have also identified areas for improvement. We will work hard at improving on those areas.' Skytrax is also ranking airlines separately and has given top honours to Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways.

Honours aside, SIA is gearing up for the challenges ahead. In SIA's in-house newsletter, SIA chief executive officer Chew Choon Seng told staff that the airline faces a tough year battling low-cost carriers and increased competition in long-haul travel.

Such challenges, he warned, will come 'thick and fast'. SIA needs to adopt a flexible cost structure that will let it compete effectively and at the same time be responsive to deal with unpredictable rough patches.

18 awards? Thats several fewer then last year's..but does it matter? ;)

Changes a must to keep Changi a premier hub
Upgrading, building Terminal 3 and third ground operator are needed for airport to keep pace with rivals, says minister

7 Feb 2004 By Rebecca Lee

THE retrofitting taking place at Changi Airport will help Singapore maintain its position on the global aviation map, while plans to issue a licence to a third ground handling operator will keep costs at the airport competitive.

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong yesterday listed measures being taken to maintain the unique 'Changi experience' and reduce airlines' cost of operating here, in reply to Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC).

These include building Terminal 3, which is on track to be completed in 2008 at a cost of $1.75 billion. Plans are also under way to upgrade Terminal 1 at the end of next year. The upgrading is scheduled to be completed in 2008. The ministry is also studying the feasibility of a new terminal for low-cost carriers.

The nearly $2 billion being spent to enhance Changi is not too much, he told Non-Constituency MP Steve Chia, who asked if cost reduction should be a priority instead.

Mr Yeo said this was because in the 14 years since Terminal 2 opened in 1990, other airports have caught up. Changi needs to keep pace if it is to remain the airport of choice for passengers.

To further ensure costs are kept low for airlines, a third ground handler will be introduced to enhance competition and make services more price-competitive.

Asked by Madam Ho, a vice-president of human resources at Singapore Airlines Engineering, if passenger traffic supports a third operator, Mr Yeo trotted out some numbers.

Passenger traffic tripled from 8.1 million when Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats) and Changi International Airport Services were set up 20 years ago, to 28 million in 2002. This is expected to grow to about 32 million in the next few years.

He also drew on the experiences of other airports to show there was 'plenty of scope' for a third operator. Hong Kong International Airport, which handled 27.4 million passengers last year, has seven passenger handling companies, three apron handling companies and another three in-flight catering firms.

At Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, whose annual passenger numbers are about 40 million, there are four ground handling companies and three in-flight catering service companies.

Asked by Mr Inderjit Singh (Ang Mo Kio GRC) if foreign players can enter the market - or if the Government is setting up another government-linked company, Mr Yeo said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has invited offshore companies to bid for the new licence.

Originally posted by Trances

Good if your in transit for a few hours Unlike me, who cant seem to get a chance to exprience any of those since I got through the airport too fast?? :D

i think it's amazing that changi can still receive so many accolades and excellent passenger reviews even though its so old and comparatively ugly... impression counts for alot and changi airport's terminals dont relaly give a good impression at first glance

Well. It is good, then that the upgrading works are on-going. They may not be the same as creating a new airport, but if no one have major problems with the traffic flow and so on, then why the need to rebuild everyting? :D

I was passing there this evening and saw that the new glass facade of the new wing of T2 is completed, and also they have completed the first arch for the new facade. (The upgrading works involve designing arches for the facade of the Departure Hall)

a new pillar at t2's customs i think... 09/04/04

http://img16.photobucket.com/albums/v47/sybarite/singapore/IMGP3257.jpg

Geez....is this a retrofitted pillar or a new fake pillar??

maybe just a pillar with new cladding?

maybe just a pillar with new cladding?
Ok....that would be more acceptable....I wont want to see them adding fake pillars and reducing the airy feel of the place!

APRIL 15, 2004 THU
Good news for Changi as flights increase

Airport shows its first jump in weekly flights since Sars struck and rise in passenger traffic is its biggest in a year

By Karamjit Kaur

THE clouds are clearing for Changi Airport, which recorded its first increase in weekly flights last month since Sars hit Singapore a year ago. It handled more than 3,400 flights a week on average, a rise lifted by the extra flights introduced by 12 airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Garuda and Emirates.

As a result, passenger traffic hit 2.37 million - a 6.7 per cent rise over the figure for March last year and the biggest jump in 12 months, said a Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore spokesman. The extra 150,000 passengers last month helped raise the traffic in the first quarter of this year to 7.05 million passengers, a 1.7 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Another boost came from the pick-up in the economy. It raised the volume of cargo moved to 156,000 tonnes, a 7.4 per cent jump over March last year, which helped lift the first quarter's volume to 416,000 tonnes, a 7.5 per cent increase against the same period last year.

These figures were welcomed by analysts such as DBS Vickers aviation analyst Chris Sanda, who said Changi was on the right track in defending its air hub status.

Changi's vulnerability was put in the spotlight recently by Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew, as airports in Thailand and Malaysia and as far away as Dubai seek to wrest away business. The arrival of new ultra-long-range aircraft such as the Airbus A340-500 has also led airlines such as Emirates to bypass Singapore.

Mr Sanda, however, noted that 'Changi has put forward a strong set of incentives to keep Singapore as a transport hub'. These include discounts that have helped Changi's landing, parking and aerobridge charges to be the lowest in the region, after Malaysia's. Still, Mr Lee said recently that Changi needed to cut costs by as much as 15 per cent to stay attractive.

Another challenge was to get budget airlines to fly here, the analysts said. Singapore is considering a low-cost terminal bordering the main Changi terminals and will go ahead if Tiger Airways, a new budget airline being set up by Singapore Airlines with several partners, agrees to use it. The four budget airlines in the works are expected to start flying before the year ends.

Mr Sanda is confident that Changi will benefit from the 'increasing traffic volume that budget airlines will help generate'.

Emirates to build offices, passenger lounge at Changi

DUBAI-BASED Emirates Airline is spending more than $1 million to build a posh new passenger lounge and two new offices at Changi Airport, plus a city office, which shows its long-term confidence in and commitment to Singapore.

The investment is significant and comes more than three months after Emirates started flying non-stop between Dubai and Sydney, bypassing Singapore. In June, it will start direct flights for its Melbourne route as well.

When Emirates started the non-stop Dubai-Sydney service, experts suggested it would hurt Changi Airport in its competition with other regional airports - with Dubai and Bangkok, two of the biggest contenders - to grow its air hub status. But Emirates' area manager for Singapore and Brunei, Mr Stephen Chu, emphasised that the non-stop services do not signal a scaling-down of its operations here.

Speaking to The Straits Times before the official opening of the new city office at Parkview Square in North Bridge Road yesterday, he said that Emirates continues to operate 36 flights a week out of Changi, the same as before the non-stop run to Sydney. 'Out of Dubai, Emirates flies more often to Changi than any other airport in the region,' he said.

Singapore is likely to be a stopover when Emirates starts flying the new jumbo Airbus 380 aircraft in 2006, he said. 'We're still studying the routes but one service being considered is Dubai-Singapore-New Zealand-US-Dubai.' Hong Kong is also being considered.

Mr Chu added: 'As long as Singapore keeps attracting people, we will keep flying here.'

SPEECH BY MR YEO CHEOW TONG MINISTER FOR TRANSPORT AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE EMIRATES AIRLINE OFFICE THURSDAY, 8 APRIL, 7.15 PM, PARKVIEW SQUARE

Mr Asim Mirza Alrahmah, Chargé d’Affaires, UAE Embassy

Mr Richard Vaughan, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, East-Asia & Australasia,

Mr Stephen Chu, Area Manager, Singapore and Brunei,

I am delighted to be here today for the official opening ceremony of Emirates Airline’s new office at Parkview Square.

Open Skies Agreement Between Singapore and the United Arab Emirates

Less than two months ago, the United Arab Emirates Minister of Communications, His Excellency Ahamed Bin Humaid Al-Tayer, and I signed the Open Skies Agreement between Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. It was a significant agreement, and a testament to the positive ties that exist between Singapore and the UAE.

Emirates Airline, the leading airline in the UAE, has made good use of the liberal air services agreement between our two countries. Emirates had humble beginnings. It started operations in 1985 with two leased aircraft. Today, just short of its 20th birthday, it has become one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, with a network that serves more than 70 destinations in over 50 countries.

Emirates’ Growth and Expansion at Changi

In tandem with its global expansion, Emirates has also grown its operations to and through Changi. In 1990, when Emirates first started operations in Singapore, it only had four weekly flights between Dubai and Singapore. Today, it has since grown to become one of Changi’s key airline partners. Emirates currently operates a total of 72 passenger and 2 freight weekly flights to and through Singapore, serving a diverse range of regional destinations such as Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, Colombo, Jakarta and of course Dubai. In the past six months, Emirates has also extended its daily Dubai-Singapore-Melbourne service to Auckland, and introduced another new daily service to Auckland via Singapore and Brisbane.

Singapore’s Commitment to Foreign Airlines

The growth and expansion of Emirates Airline’s operations at Changi is a positive example of Singapore’s commitment to work with all our airlines partners, and help them grow their operations here. Singapore has always placed strong emphasis on building close working relationships between ourselves and our airline partners. Regardless of whether an airline is a large international carrier or a small regional carrier, we believe in providing excellent service to all.

Besides working closely with airlines to facilitate their operations, Changi Airport is also continuously undergoing improvements to ensure that we offer the state-of-the-art facilities and services to our customers. Changi’s Terminal 2 is currently being upgraded and the upgrading of Terminal 1 will start next year. We aim to provide a modern, efficient and pleasant airport environment to all our airlines and passengers regardless which terminal they use.

Furthermore, in recognition of the importance of our airline partners’ contributions to Changi, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has numerous programmes and schemes to encourage airlines to increase their operations at Changi Airport. This includes the 3-year, S$210 million Air Hub Development Fund started in January 2003, as well as the recently launched Growth Incentive Scheme. We welcome feedback from our airline partners on these schemes, as well as ideas on how we can further assist them in their operations here.

Conclusion

Let me conclude by once again congratulating Emirates on the opening of its beautiful and expanded office today as we celebrate the airline’s confidence in the region and its commitment to Singapore. I wish Emirates continued success in the years ahead.

Sci-fi access cards for airport staff

The biometric card expected to be in use early next year will identify a person by his fingerprint, iris or even voice

By Karamjit Kaur

FACING a danger unlike any other, Changi Airport disclosed yesterday that security is going to be further tightened, with an access card that is standard fare in sci-fi and spy movies.

The biometric card, to be introduced early next year, will identify a person by a unique human trait, say his fingerprints, the iris of his eyes or even his voice.

This latest technology will be embedded in the computer-coded cards of about 90,000 airport staff, tenants and contractors, who will use them for entry into restricted areas.

The move was disclosed yesterday by Dr Balaji Sadasivan, Minister of State (Health and Transport), who however stressed that biometric passports for Singaporeans will be long in coming.

These passports, which the United States is likely to require before year-end, would be introduced 'much, much later', and probably given to regular travellers first, said Dr Balaji.

He was talking to reporters yesterday at the opening of Avsec 2004 Conference and Exhibition, a gathering Sats Security holds once in two years for aviation security experts and agencies.

Later, a Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore spokesman told The Straits Times that a tender for the biometric card will be called between July and September but for the moment, the details on what kind of card is preferred are not finalised yet.

The move by Changi Airport would be the first done on such a wide scale in Singapore, as the country, like others, looks at ways and means to fortify aviation security since the Sept 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the US.

Air marshals now fly on selected Singapore Airlines flights and recently, all 5,000 of its cabin crew went through a one-day training programme on how to communicate when passengers become threatening and the defensive tactics to use.

Mr Aaron Le Boutillier, managing director of Conflict Solutions Asia, who did the training, said that 97 per cent of the time, effective communication will solve the problem. His tip: Never tell an angry man to calm down.

'Instead, ask him what the problem is, maybe offer him a drink and try and get him to talk to you,' he said, when speaking at the three-day Avsec conference.

When all else fails, he taught cabin crew how to restrain a passenger - as a team and not alone.

Security is also a priority at Singapore's low-fare start-up Valuair, which has fitted cameras in its two planes.

Said Ms Heather Fitzpatrick, its safety and quality assurance manager in a recent interview with The Straits Times: 'We are a low-cost carrier but we do not compromise on safety.'

The various moves here have won praise from terrorism specialist Rohan Gunaratna, who heads the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism in Singapore.

Speaking to reporters after his keynote address at the conference, he stressed that it is critical for systems and practices to be reviewed and modified regularly to outfox terrorists.

It is not necessary to buy expensive systems every few months. It can be as simple as, say, changing the checkpoint door frequently or even using mobile checkpoints. 'This way, you continually surprise the people who are planning to harm you.'

Homing in on the aviation industry, Dr Gunaratna said the Iraq invasion has heightened the threat as it has 'given a new lease of life to terrorist groups'.

Urging it to be vigilant and proactive, he said: 'Governments are not going to warn you of every impending attack. That is why security measures must be based on your intelligence as well.'

In all this, the public plays a critical role, he added. That is one reason why the US has not fallen victim again to a terror attack since Sept 11, 2001.

Seems that Emirates plans to use Singapore as a hub since theyre investing in new facilities here?

Seems that Emirates plans to use Singapore as a hub since theyre investing in new facilities here?
That may very well be, and lets hope they do intend to keep the hub! I am worried the A345 may render us obsolete to them, but apparently, their mega A380 purchase might end up them having to use us still! :D

Changi is top for passenger satisfaction

Singapore Changi Airport was ranked the highest for passenger satisfaction in the 2003 Global Airport Passenger Satisfaction Study for medium size airports (10 million to 29.9 million passengers per year) for the second consecutive year. The study was conducted by J.D Power and Associates. Hong Kong International Airport was second, followed by Pittsburgh International Airport. For the large airports (30 million passengers or more per year), Frankfurt was top, followed by Dever International and Minneapolis St. Paul International.

The study, which involved more than 12,000 respondents worldwide, ranked 61 airports by their passenger satisfaction. Passengers evaluated the overall airport experience on nine factors: getting to the terminal; leaving the airport; check-in process; baggage claim; airport terminal facilities; security check; gate areas; concessions; and immigration/customs control.

Cool satellite photo:

http://satrec.kaist.ac.kr/k3_image/changi/changi-s1.jpg

Big chart of Changi! :D

(Dosent show Terminal 3 thou)

http://www.bluesky49n.com/SIN2001/SIN_chart.jpg

Cool map!

IA starting 2nd daily S'pore-Chennai flight

26 April 2004


(SINGAPORE) Indian Airlines will launch a second daily flight connecting Singapore and Chennai from next month to meet rising demand.

The new evening flight will deploy an Airbus 320 aircraft and depart Singapore at 8.55 pm, in addition to the existing daily morning service.

Indian Airlines already operates daily flights from Singapore to Bangkok, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai.

Last week Thai Airways announced more services to India. It said it will expand its services between Bangkok and Bangalore due to high demand by IT professionals travelling to the US, via that route.

Indian Airlines, which first flew to Singapore in 1987, announced earlier this month it planned to lease six Airbus A320 and five A319 aircraft this year to boost capacity.

It recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Singapore Airport Terminal Services to manage ground handling at 23 India airports.

State-owned Air India is the only other Indian airline operating between Singapore and the sub-continent, which has seen a surge in air travel in the last two years.

2004-04-30

南航辟南昌飞我国航线

　　本地旅客即日起可直飞中国江西，中国南方航空开辟新航线，每周三次从南昌飞新加坡。

　　这个中国南昌—新加坡国际航线于前天正式开通。由江西省副省长孙刚率领的代表团乘搭首航飞抵本地，昨天在香格里拉大酒店举行江西旅游与新航班的推介会。

　　目前，每年从江西飞抵新加坡的旅客估计有1万人次，飞往江西的新加坡游客，则估计有5000人次。

　　孙刚接受本报访问时表示，来往江西与新加坡之间的旅客人次，与中国其他城市比较不算高，他认为这是因为宣传不够。

　　他希望新的航线能吸引更多旅客，两地的旅游业者也能加强宣传力度。

　　江西省旅游局也有兴趣开发以新加坡游客为对象的古文化旅游线，满足我国旅客对古迹旅游点的兴趣。

　　另外，江西省旅游局也会留意新加坡旅客对一些基本设施的需求，例如改善公共厕所的设施。

　　从南昌飞新加坡（经停广州）的班机是每周一、三、五，飞抵新加坡时间是晚上11时零5分。

　　新加坡飞南昌（经停广州）的班机则是每周二、四、六，起飞时间上午8时35分，下午3时20分飞抵南昌。

Business Times - 01 May 2004

By CORINNE KERK

SK-II opening counters at Changi Airport may not seem like a big deal to the man in the street. But not so to the folks at the airport, who have apparently been trying to get the skincare brand into its duty free shopping scene in the last few years.

In fact, it is apparently with some glee that Nuance-Watson, operator of the perfumes and cosmetics concessions at Changi Airport, got SK-II before Hong Kong International Airport did, making Changi the first airport in South-east Asia to do so and third in the world, after Japan's Narita and Korea's Incheon.

So, the question is, what's so great about SK-II that gets airports all excited?

Well, its success - despite a relatively short presence on the skincare scene.

The brand was born in 1980 in a Max Factor unit in Japan. Its core ingredient is Pitera, a yeast derivative found in sake, which promises to enhance the skin's natural renewal cycle of 28 days.

Despite being fairly pricey - from $21 for a Facial Treatment Mask to $230 for a Facial Treatment Concentrate Cream - figures from the Association of Perfumes and Cosmetics Distributors show that SK-II is currently the number one prestige skincare and cosmetics brand in department stores here.

Its counter sales of $20 to $25 million last year, even exceed those of brands which include revenue from fragrances - a product category SK-II doesn't have.

Indeed, since it entered the local market in late 1999, sales have doubled every year, and Chip Bergh, president of SK-II's parent company Procter & Gamble (Asean, Australasia and India), expects the sterling growth to continue this year.

But why is it that a simply packaged, high-price product can have such a lure? Is it because of celebrity endorsers who claim to be true SK-II fans even before they were paid to tout its wares?

'The product really works,' claims Mr Bergh, who uses it himself and is happy to plug its efficacy. 'And when we talk to SK-II users, that's the first thing they say.'

On top of that, its personalised service, high-tech skin analyser and good relationship with its customers - it has a loyalty card base of some 50,000 here - also help.

The fact that SK-II is an incredible moneyspinner isn't lost on opportunists either. The company is battling parallel imports as well as something more sinister - counterfeit products.

'We've caught people in Singapore selling counterfeit products,' says Mr Bergh. 'So the message to consumers is, if you want the real SK-II, buy from our counters.'

As for Changi, it was chosen, says Mr Bergh, because it's a 'prestige airport' and one of the top airports in the world.

The airport counters - unique for featuring revolving carousels and boasting skin analysis machines - will eventually contribute an estimated 20 per cent of total SK-II sales in Singapore.

But Mr Bergh is confident this won't come at the expense of department store ones. He cites the example of its inflight duty free sales on Singapore Airlines (SIA), where the five products it offers are also the airline's topsellers in the cosmetic and fragrance category.

'There were some concerns when we launched on SIA in September 2002 that it will cannibalise department store sales, but we saw no such effect,' explains Mr Bergh. 'It was all incremental business.'

Also, unlike some other brands which may sell at big discounts of up to 40 per cent compared with downtown stores, the price difference for SK-II at the airport is just the Goods and Services Tax, that is, 5 per cent.

Globally, SK-II sales total US$500 million - which is not bad at all for what was just 'a tiny brand' when P&G bought it over back in 1991.

'P&G has 13 US$1 billion brands,' says Mr Bergh. 'And we feel SK-II has the potential to become one of these brands in the next few years.'

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

SK-II? So transit passengers are going to choose to fly through this airport just to buy their products?

SK-II? So transit passengers are going to choose to fly through this airport just to buy their products?

Well if you are a frequent user of SKII, and you know you can get it duty free in changi plus you are a frequent traveller(or who always transit in Changi), why not??? :D

Well if you are a frequent user of SKII, and you know you can get it duty free in changi plus you are a frequent traveller(or who always transit in Changi), why not??? :D
Funny way of getting passenger traffic..but it works? :D

Are there any other speciality shops in Changi worth visiting?

Funny way of getting passenger traffic..but it works? :D

Are there any other speciality shops in Changi worth visiting?

Taken from Changi website

1.The first Mercedes-Benz boutique in Asia Pacific. offers a wide selection of exclusive Mercedes-Benz trendy gifts items. Expect no less than the Mercedes-Benz standard of quality and design that is made famous by the three-pointed star. On display will be model cars, formula-one items, children's toys, golf and lifestyle accessories.

2. Ten Ren's Tea
In this quaint yet modern Chinese teashop, you'll find shelves decked with giant urns containing varieties of tea leaves, and pretty ceramic teapots on display (yes, they're for sale). The Taiwanese Ten Ren Tea Company is one of the largest in Asia. You can get all varieties of tea leaves here, especially King's Tea, a Ten Ren exclusive. It's a high-quality blend of Oolong and ginseng that leaves a sweet aftertaste. Don't know your Oolong from your Jasmine? Don't worry, the knowledgeable sales staff will fix you a brew. Fancy a nibble of some green tea? You'll be tickled by our green tea snacks, candy, pumpkin seeds,and soft chewy sweets.

For more information, refer to http://www.changi.airport.com.sg/changi/level3_external_no_header.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302023743&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181065&bmUID=1083661799361

新闻：新加坡 2004-05-05

● 林顺华

　　你在出国公干前突然有一股想吃本地著名老字号陈福记炒饭的冲动？或是慕名的外国朋友在我国转机时想品尝这道新加坡招牌炒饭？

　　民航局为让人人拥有非常难忘美好的樟宜经历(Changi Experience)，把这些本地美食品牌引入机场，好让国人能寻获到熟悉的口味，外国游客则能齿颊留香，心满意足地飞离我国。

　　樟宜机场第二搭客大厦过境厅内的“樟宜美食街”(Taste of Changi)，吸引陈福记“入伙”，让众人可在登机前享受一碟远近驰名的金黄炒饭。

　　民航局高级商业经理陆善行指出,刚从去年9月陆续传出美食香味的美食街，所占面积比以前的食阁大了一倍。如今，食街有七家餐馆，无论是汉堡包王快餐、日本元气寿司或是印度素食等，都是搭客或机场员工大快朵颐的理想场所。

　　“新加坡是个美食天堂，但以前的食阁只售卖本地食物。我们要把本地老字号或国际知名美食品牌集中在一起，为顾客提供更多不同的选择。”

　　他透露，当第一搭客大厦进行翻新时，民航局也考虑把类似的美食街概念推广开去。

　　陈福记是在Select Service Partner(SSP)穿针引线下，在机场内设立第五家分店。SSP是一家英国公司，在全球145个机场内经营各类餐馆，也在各地火车站或游轮中心有类似业务。

　　SSP（新加坡）私人有限公司总经理李为民指出，公司愿意配合民航局的计划，把更多本地著名美食品牌带入机场。所以即使新店铺是以面食为主，但陈福记的十道招牌菜也都列在菜单内。

　　他说：“陈福记专门调了一名厨师在这里一年，除烹煮原汁原味佳肴，也培训接班人。由于机场营业时间长，随时也可能有顾客进出面家，所以我们注重现点现卖，以确保食物的品质。”

　　他指出，陈福记自上月开张后，营业额令人鼓舞，吸引不少外国游客和国人捧场，其中不乏日本游客。

　　铺满新鲜蟹肉和鲜虾的金黄色陈福记炒饭，自50年由陈家两姐妹创造出来后大受国内外顾客欢迎。日本人尤其喜欢她们的炒饭，从此两人的名声不胫而走，以致每碟炒饭曾一度叫价25元，但仍吸引不少饕客的支持。

　　炒饭师傅杨铭（27岁）指出，即使在机场厨房里，炒饭选用的材料、准备工作和火候掌控功夫都不可马虎，以维持水准。但在准备其他食物时，由于转机搭客等候时间有限，所以厨师的速度要更快。

　　赶着搭飞机到印尼的当麻明纪（37岁，广告业人士）品尝炒饭后说：“把饭和蟹肉结合在一起炒，感觉上很怪，但吃了之后却发现味道很特别，让人非常着迷。”

Taken from Changi website

1.The first Mercedes-Benz boutique in Asia Pacific. offers a wide selection of exclusive Mercedes-Benz trendy gifts items. Expect no less than the Mercedes-Benz standard of quality and design that is made famous by the three-pointed star. On display will be model cars, formula-one items, children's toys, golf and lifestyle accessories.
Now this is something I have never heard of! :D

Now this is something I have never heard of! :D

I suppose that's why they call it a specialty shop??? :D

doesnt sound like a shop that i'd go to...

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 05 May 2004 1804 hrs

By Dominique Loh, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Changi Airport has been voted the Best Airport in the World by readers of Business Traveller.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore accepted the award on Wednesday in Dubai.

In another survey conducted by the International Air Transport Association and the Airports Council International, Changi Airport was also voted the best in Asia.

More than 50,000 passengers from 35 major international airports participated in the survey.

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

doesnt sound like a shop that i'd go to...
But I suppose the Tea shop should be much more palatable to you er? :D

i guesss.. but i dont bother about shopping in changi? i wonder if haagen dazs there is cheaper...

i guesss.. but i dont bother about shopping in changi? i wonder if haagen dazs there is cheaper...
Haagan dazz in the airport as well???

I dont think airport stuff over here are particularly cheap...unless u r in the transit area! :D

yeah, thnx for the excellent pics!!! wow nice spectacular view. I always had a fascination for Singapore's Changi Airport. I haven't been to Terminal 1 for ages. Want to go back there some day. Been to Terminal 2 tho this year and in late 2002. Its just nice and easy to get to from checking in luggage to boarding flight to destination.

its good that Singapore is reclaiming more land for another runway. it will have face stiffer competition from the new bangkok airport.

duty free haagen dazs?

1.The first Mercedes-Benz boutique in Asia Pacific. offers a wide selection of exclusive Mercedes-Benz trendy gifts items. Expect no less than the Mercedes-Benz standard of quality and design that is made famous by the three-pointed star. On display will be model cars, formula-one items, children's toys, golf and lifestyle accessories.




yeah....I remember seeing this when I was on transit at Changi a couple of years back......I am a big Mercedes fan! :D

Temasek seeks buyer for Changi ground handler

Move to sell CIAS comes hot on heels of news that two foreign firms have put in bids to become third operator at airport

By Nicholas Fang

A SHAKE-UP among the ground handlers at Changi Airport is gaining pace after Temasek Holdings announced yesterday that one of the two existing operators - Changi International Airport Services (CIAS) - is up for sale.

This sale - which analysts suggest could raise about $400 million - comes just two days after news that two foreign firms have sent in bids to become the third ground-handling operator at Changi Airport.

And it comes a month after Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew said Singapore Airlines may need to sell the No. 1 operator, Singapore Airport Terminal Services (Sats) in the carrier's push to become more competitive.

Already, there has been considerable interest in the sale from both foreign and local potential buyers, according to Deutsche Bank, appointed as financial advisers on the sale.

CIAS is a joint venture between five airlines - China Airlines, Garuda, Lufthansa, Air France and KLM - European aviation services provider GlobeGround and Temasek. It is held under Temasek's wholly owned unit Hazeltree Holdings. Temasek owns 78.4 per cent in CIAS.

The other shareholders had agreed to sell the remaining 21.6 per cent stake as part of the sale of the business, a Temasek spokesman said yesterday.

She said the CIAS sale was part of the ongoing active management of the Singapore investment company's investment portfolio.

It continuously reviewed its portfolio to identify opportunities to realise value in investments, she added. One of the key objectives of the CIAS sale was to identify a value-adding shareholder that is 'committed to the continual growth and success of CIAS'.

It was too soon to say how much the sale of CIAS might raise, she said. But analysts say the sale could fetch about $400 million, given that CIAS' operations amounted to about 20 per cent those of Sats', which have been valued at about $2 billion.

Sats has about 80 per cent of the ground-handling and catering business at Changi Airport, while CIAS holds the remaining share.

Deutsche Bank said there has already been significant interest from both foreign and local companies.

Deutsche Bank Singapore managing director Jeffrey Speke said yesterday: 'The news has been in the market for a while and we have been approached by a number of companies.' He declined to name the companies.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said earlier this week that it had received one bid for a flight catering licence at Changi Airport and two bids for a ground-handling licence at the close of its tender exercise last month.

Lufthansa subsidiary LSG Catering Hong Kong had bid to set up Singapore's third flight-catering operation, while Swissport International and Worldwide Flight Services are competing to be the third ground-handling operator at Changi Airport.

CAAS said the tenders will be awarded by July. The tenders were called earlier this year to give Sats and CIAS more competition in a bid to drive down charges. This was to make Changi Airport more competitive than regional rivals such as Bangkok, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.

There have been increasing fears that Changi Airport's status as one of Asia's top air hubs will be challenged by the emergence of new longer-range aircraft that can bypass Singapore and budget carriers which prefer to use cheaper regional airports.

Analysts said yesterday that the subdued response to the tender and Temasek's latest move to sell CIAS could be seen as indications that the market was over-saturated and viewed as unprofitable for an additional operator.

Kim Eng research head Seah Hiang Hong said: 'The market here is too saturated already and it is a mature market. A third operator would have no choice but to compete by cutting prices, and this will make it harder for all the operators here.

'It would have made more sense to buy CIAS as it already has the infrastructure and an existing share of the market.

'Now we need to see if those companies can retract their bids or if they can still make a bid to buy CIAS.'

A CAAS spokesman said in response to Straits Times queries yesterday: 'As in all tenders, the tenderers have the option to withdraw their bids, subject to the provisions of the tender.'

5 May 2004

Changi Airport's 72nd Airline takes flight

Singapore's fourth flag carrier, Valuair, commenced scheduled operations at Changi Airport today. With Valuair joining Changi Airport's family of airlines, Changi is served by 72 airlines with more than 3,400 flights to 164 cities in 53 countries.

A send-off ceremony was organized for the 162 passengers on Valuair's inaugural commercial flight. Mr Wong Woon Liong, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), and Mr Lim Chin Beng, Chairman of Valuair, were on hand to send off the passengers, who were bound for Bangkok.

"At Changi Airport, we believe in working closely with our airline partners to achieve a win-win outcome - we will do what we can to create a conducive environment for our airline partners to make profits, and they in turn help to enhance Changi's status as an aviation hub. We warmly welcome Valuair as the newest member of the Changi Airport community, and look forward to growing a strong partnership with them", said Mr Wong.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information, please contact:

Mr Albert Tjoeng
Senior Manager (Public & International Relations)
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Tel : (65) 6541 2320
Pager : (65) 9801 0079
Email : albert_tjoeng@caas.gov.sg

Ms Constanze Chia
Assistant Manager (Public Relations)
Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
Tel : (65) 6541 2086
Pager : (65) 9492 6514
Email : constanze_chia@caas.gov.sg

Fax : (65) 6545 6222

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 10 May 2004 1758 hrs

SINGAPORE : Passenger traffic at Singapore's Changi airport more than doubled in April compared with a year ago, airport authorities said Monday, rounding off the aviation hub's recovery from the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) crisis.

Passenger traffic rose 102.9 percent to 2.37 million in April from 1.17 million in the same period last year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

Cargo traffic last month was 9.9 percent higher at 142,000 tonnes, it said.

Last year's SARS outbreak, which caused almost 800 deaths worldwide from some 8,000 infections, triggered a region-wide slump in commercial air traffic, with Changi airport among the hardest hit.

Passenger traffic in 2003 at the airport fell 14.9 percent to 24.7 million passengers, while cargo volumes were down 1.6 percent to 1.61 million tonnes, reflecting the overall impact of SARS.

The aviation authority also said Monday it would announce the successful bidders for extra licenses for the airport's ground handling and inflight catering services in July.

LSG Catering Hong Kong Ltd has submitted a bid for the inflight catering licence while two European industry heavyweights, Swissport International Ltd and Worldwide Flight Service, are vying for the ground handling licence, CAAS said.

Singapore Airport Terminal Services and Changi International Airport Services are currently the only ground handler and inflight caterers at Changi airport. - AFP

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Traffic doubling from a year ago really shows how screwed-up the airline business was in SEA last year with the SARS thingy.

Traffic doubling from a year ago really shows how screwed-up the airline business was in SEA last year with the SARS thingy.
Yeap! It was a really low base to start with, and all these talk about huge % jumps wont really matter as much as raw numbers! :)

We should perhaps compare traffic with 2002 then, before SARS

We should perhaps compare traffic with 2002 then, before SARS
But actually, even 2002's figures were not that high as the economy wasent doing well, if I remember correctly?

But actually, even 2002's figures were not that high as the economy wasent doing well, if I remember correctly?

yup. which is why I think there was real excitement in the latest figures. I read it in some article. I am sure with the growth of budget travel the numbers will be even greater now:)

yup. which is why I think there was real excitement in the latest figures. I read it in some article. I am sure with the growth of budget travel the numbers will be even greater now:)
The budget aviation sector is still in its infancy thou. I wonder how big the impact will be before they start to cut each other out. Any news about the Budget Terminal?

More skylights at Changi Terminal 2(picture taken on 26/5/04)........

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/Airport/DSCN0334.jpg

http://img73.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/Airport/DSCN0337.jpg

Business Times - 31 May 2004

(SINGAPORE) Singapore and China beefed up their air links with a fifth passenger airline from the mainland starting flights to the Republic.

Shandong Airlines flew its maiden international flight into Singapore's Changi Airport on Saturday afternoon. It will be followed by a twice-weekly service, according to a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

The frequency of flights to Singapore from China has mushroomed in recent years as the country's economy booms and its millions of citizens are more able to stretch their wings.

China's government has made it easier for its citizens to get passports and foreign currency, and it has increased the number of approved destinations for Chinese tour parties.

Additionally, many countries have eased restrictions on visas for Chinese nationals.

Singapore, with its majority ethnic Chinese population, has become a popular overseas destination for Chinese travellers.

In 1998, 293,000 Chinese visited Singapore. By 2002, Chinese arrivals had more than doubled to 670,000, according to data from the Singapore Tourist Board.

The CAAS said there are now eight passenger airlines at Changi flying to 12 cities in China.

Shandong Airlines will fly twice-weekly services between Jinan and Singapore via Shenzhen. - AP

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 03 June 2004 1835 hrs

By N K Chan, Channelnewsasia.com

SINGAPORE : Austrian Airlines has started flying non-stop to Singapore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said on Thursday.

The thrice-weekly service connects Vienna to Singapore and onward to the Australian city of Melbourne, CAAS said in a statement.

The first direct Austrian Airlines flight landed in Singapore's Changi Airport on Thursday.

The CAAS said in a statement that Austrian Airlines' latest service establishes Vienna as a direct city link for Singapore, and enhances Changi Airport's connectivity to central and eastern Europe.

Mr Vagn Sorensen, the airline's CEO said, "Singapore is not only an excellent hub but also a very interesting target destination for both business people and tourists."

Mr Chiang Hai Eng, Deputy Director-General (Operations), Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, said the latest air link "augurs well for greater trade, tourism and investment flows between Austria and Singapore and for the respective regions as well."

Since the start of the year, Changi Airport has seen five airlines commence operations.

Currently, Changi Airport is served by over 70 airlines with some 3,400 weekly scheduled flights linking Singapore to more than 160 cities around the world.-CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

JUNE 5, 2004

Pact on unlimited access for passenger services between the Republic, Brunei and Thailand is expected in 2 to 3 months

By Karamjit Kaur

SINGAPORE, Brunei and Thailand are in talks to expand their air links for passenger services, a key stepping stone to the lifting of all restrictions within Asean and which will boost business for Changi Airport.

According to the Transport Ministry here, which has long championed an open skies policy and greater competition between airlines, the deal is expected to be sealed in two to three months' time.

The trio's regional agreement will give their national carriers the right to fly to any point within their territories, with no limits on the frequency of flights and number of passengers they can carry.

The airlines will also be able to use the three countries as springboards to destinations in other states.

Currently, Singapore carriers can fly to a specific number of destinations from Thailand, although the two countries have a deal which allows unlimited two-way services between them.

For example, Singapore Airlines has a daily Singapore-Bangkok-Osaka service and flies five times a week from Singapore to Seoul via Bangkok.

However, the Republic already has an open skies policy with Brunei. The sultanate, in turn, has an existing agreement with Thailand that allows for a maximum of 14 flights a week between the two countries.

For travellers, the new deal should result in more choice of flights and carriers and, with greater competition, cheaper fares. But the real benefits will come when more Asean member countries join in, and that is what Singapore's Transport Ministry is gunning for.

'We encourage as many countries to join in as and when they are ready to do so,' said its spokesman.

As for the current proposed deal, lifting all restrictions between the three countries is significant as it opens the door for more airlines to fly here and will hopefully encourage more countries to be as liberal in their air service agreements.

So far, Singapore has inked open skies deals with the United States, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Brunei, Chile, Peru and the United Arab Emirates. The more countries it secures deals with, the better. But progress at the negotiating table can be slow as governments worry about their national carriers' bottom lines in an open market.

The Singapore-Brunei-Thailand open skies pact will be the second such deal since last October's proposal by the Singapore and Thai prime ministers to let any Asean-initiated policy or proposal proceed as long as it is backed by any two member countries.

In February, the same three countries inked an agreement allowing their airlines to operate unlimited all-cargo services on any route between them.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Those skylight pictures.....I saw them too didnt I?

Those skylight pictures.....I saw them too didnt I?

Yes....nice and clear......and it won't be too long to see the whole terminal refurbished with those roof(that lets in skylight)...... :)

Yes....nice and clear......and it won't be too long to see the whole terminal refurbished with those roof(that lets in skylight)...... :)
But are you sure the WHOLE roof will be like that soon? It dosent look like it is physically possible?

But are you sure the WHOLE roof will be like that soon? It dosent look like it is physically possible?

I mean those parts of the roof that are able to convert to those glass roof...haha, not really WHOLE roof...:D....I think those not possible one....they'll refurbish the ceiling with other things........ :)

with what? art installations? interesting lighting?

with what? art installations? interesting lighting?

I think something about the lighting......not very sure at this point...... :dunno:

with what? art installations? interesting lighting?
Er...I just done think the entire ceiling cant become skylights because I see some parts have a second level suspended above?

Business Times - 07 Jun 2004
IATA World Summit 2004
The customer always comes first at Changi

The airport is constantly upgrading to provide better facilities for travellers while at the same time helping airlines to tide over difficult times

SINGAPORE Changi Airport has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1981.

With its two terminals, Changi currently has a handling capacity of 44 million passengers a year. The Changi Airfreight Centre, with a capacity of 2.5 million tonnes, also provides round-the-clock services in a Free Trade Zone. An Airport Logistics Park has also been established to facilitate the distribution and rapid turnaround of goods. Today, there are over 70 airlines serving more than 3,400 weekly scheduled flights to 162 cities in 52 countries.

As an aviation hub in the region, Changi Airport is widely recognised as one of the best in the world, receiving a total of 20 awards and accolades from international organisations and publications.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), which manages Changi Airport, is the conductor behind the success of Changi. CAAS adopts a customer-centric approach in serving the needs of its airline partners and air travellers.

It aims to create a conducive environment for its airline partners to operate profitably, while at the same time pampering air travellers, who will enjoy spending time at Changi.

The partnership approach towards airlines can be seen in the manner CAAS responded during difficult times. Following the Asian financial crisis in 1998, CAAS introduced a 10 per cent rebate in aircraft landing fees in 1999. Following the slowdown in the world economy and the Sept 11 incident in 2001, CAAS introduced a $210 million Air Hub Development Fund (AHDF).

The AHDF, effective from January last year to end-2005, saw the introduction of a 15 per cent rebate in aircraft landing fees and office and warehouse rents. Funds were also set aside for joint marketing activities. The AHDF has brought down Changi's aeronautical charges to be the second lowest in the region.

The outbreak of Sars last year saw airlines suffer when the demand for air travel plummetted as travellers were afraid of catching the virus. CAAS acted swiftly to provide assistance to airlines, introducing a $114 million Sars relief package from May to December 2003 to lessen the financial burdens on its airline partners. The relief package brought aircraft landing fees down by another 30 per cent to a total of 45 per cent, and office and warehouse rents by another 10 per cent to a total of 25 per cent.

CAAS also introduced a four-month $10 million Air Traffic Development Scheme to help airlines boost traffic recovery after Singapore was removed for the World Health Organisation's (WHO) list of Sars-affected areas.

After the Sars relief package expired in December last year, CAAS introduced a $40 million Growth Incentive Scheme (GIS), which is effective from January this year to end-2005. The GIS rewards airlines for increasing their passenger traffic to and through Changi Airport. Under this performance-based scheme, airlines will enjoy incentives according to the traffic growth they manage to achieve at Changi Airport. For example, if an airline's 2004 passenger traffic exceeds that in 2003, it will receive incentives for the incremental passenger traffic.

For 2005, the airlines will similarly receive incentives if they show positive results over the previous years. Recognising that ground handling charges make up a significant portion of an airline's costs in an airport, CAAS is also issuing a third licence for ground handling and inflight catering. This will give airlines more choices and lower their ground handling costs at the same time.

Changi Airport's customer-centric approach also applies to the air traveller. At Changi Airport, travellers will find it a breeze to pass their time.

For those who are in a hurry, Changi is efficient, with travellers being able to pass through the various airport processes with ease. For example, an arriving passenger would take about 30 minutes from the time he leaves the aircraft to the time he collects his baggage and clears through customs checks.

For those who have some time to spare before their flight, they will find a myriad of facilities and services that will help them enjoy their stay in Changi. Those who are interested in health and fitness activities can make use of the rooftop swimming pool, the gym, or get a much needed massage at the Shower, Fitness and Lifestyle centre, the Rainforest By SATS or at the Chair Spa.

Travellers who are nature lovers have a choice of gardens to bask in the tranquility of nature, including a cactus garden, an orchid garden, a sunflower garden and a palm and fern garden. For entertainment, travellers can catch a movie at the movie theatre, watch various programmes at the many television lounges, or even join the Free Singapore Tour if they have at least five hours in transit.

And for those who want some form of IT or business facilities, there are more than 200 PCs located throughout the two terminals offering free Internet access to travellers. This is especially useful for those who wish to check their e-mail or surf the Internet.

Travellers with their own laptops or personal digital assistants can connect to the Internet easily, as the whole airport has a wireless network providing broadband connection.

Besides such facilities, Changi also organises events to entertain air travellers. Currently, Changi is organising an auction, the first of its kind in an airport.

In the Changi auction - What's Your Bid - travellers get to bid for selected retail items available at the airport. The starting bids for these items can start as low as 50 per cent off airport retail prices.

This means participating travellers can get a good bargain if no one manages to outbid them. Some of the items up for auction include a Risis Egg (retail price: S$81, starting bid: S$35), a pair of Risis chopsticks (retail price: S$86, starting bid: S$35), a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses (retail price: S$152.35, starting bid: S$76), and a Bonia black leather handbag (retail price: S$299.90, starting bid: S$150).

The Changi auction is held four times - every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening - and ends on June 25.

The annual Changi Sale is also on until June 25. The sale comprises discounts and special offers from over 90 outlets at both terminals.

For example, passengers can enjoy up to 15 per cent off all books, 50 per cent off jewellery, 15 per cent off toys, among other discounts. There are also gifts with purchase offers such as a Levi's windbreaker, a Swarovski tote bag and a pair of Raoul polycarbonate cufflinks.

Changi Airport opened with one terminal in 1981. Today, it has two passenger terminal buildings with the construction of a third underway. Terminal 3 is expected to be completed in 2008. This will add another 20 million passengers to the handling capacity, bringing the total to about 64 million passengers a year by then.

Terminal 2 is also currently undergoing a $240 million upgrading, which will see significant improvements to its design, making it even more user-friendly to airport users and businesses. The upgrading will also add capacity to the departure/transit lounge, enhancing Changi's position as a regional aviation hub.

When completed, the upgraded Terminal 2 will have a new glass facade bringing natural light into the departure hall.

A new canopy above the kerbside at the departure hall will be extended outwards to ensure that airport users are shielded from the rain when alighting from their vehicles. The interior of the terminal will also be re-organised to make it easier for airport users to find their way around.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Hub status takes top priority: PM Goh
Tuesday • June 8, 2004

The Government will not protect Singapore Airlines (SIA) at the expense of Changi Airport's hub status, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said yesterday. He told an airline industry conference here that Singapore's connectivity and hub status were of higher national priority.

"We have never protected Singapore Airlines. We will continue to welcome foreign carriers to fly here in open competition with our national carriers. Where our national carriers lose through lack of protection, Changi Airport gains," said Mr Goh, who urged the international community to liberalise aviation rules.

Noting that many countries protected their national airlines jealously by restricting market access to foreign carriers, he said: "By depriving their people and visitors of extensive air links, these countries are losing out on spin-off benefits from the air travel industry. The result is a loss of valuable investment and tourism dollars."

But for now, Asian airlines face entrenched protective measures from countries in the region.

One senior executive at an Indian airline said getting licences for take-off and landing slots for his airline in other countries has been difficult.

Agreeing, SIA chief executive Chew Choon Seng told the forum that SIA has faced difficulties in getting "desired" airline slots as well, in cities such as Hyderabad in India. — Kevin Tan

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 08 Jun 2004

Austrian Air wants to go big in Asia with daily services
By GEORGE JOSEPH

(SINGAPORE) If Austrian Airlines CEO Vagn Sorensen has his way, the latest airline to fly here will have 'double-daily' flights through Changi in no time.

That is his plan for Austrian Air's future operations here, after the airline started a thrice weekly service to Singapore last week. The non-stop flights from Vienna arrive early in the morning and go onward to Melbourne.

Mr Sorensen said he aims to see all the carrier's services in Asia, including in Singapore, going daily both ways as soon as possible and he is confident of achieving it as he considers Australia as one of the European airline's niche markets.

'There's a large community of Eastern European ethnic migrants to Australia for whom we are a popular carrier and we are stepping up our services (to Australia) to nine daily flights,' he said.

Japan is another niche market as more Japanese visit the 'cultural' destinations in Europe.

Austria is well known for its concert halls and theatres and capital Vienna is known as the 'city of the sound of music'.

The airline, a member of the Star Alliance, is going 'pretty big' in Asia, Mr Sorensen told BT, while here for the International Air Transport Association annual general meeting.

He added that Singapore is an 'interesting target' for both tourists and business people from Europe, who can also use Changi as an 'excellent hub' for onward travel to other Asian cities.

'Singapore is a Star Alliance hub for us, and so we can code share and develop joint products with our airline partners,' he said.

Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Thai Airways are among prominent airline members of the grouping which this week announced it is taking in three more partners, South African Airways, TAP Air Portugal and Finland's Blue1.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Austrian Air's latest service establishes Vienna as a direct link city for Singapore, enhancing Changi Airport's connectivity to central and eastern Europe.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

wah Austrian Airlines is so ambitious!

Interesting to note that Austrian owns Lauda Air, which flies nonstop from Vienna to Bangkok but not to Singapore.

JUNE 10, 2004

Changi passenger traffic doubles on year in May

SINGAPORE - Passenger traffic at Singapore's Changi Airport more than doubled in May against the same month last year when the Republic was reeling from the effects of the war in Iraq and the Sars outbreak, the aviation authority said on Thursday.

Asia's fourth-busiest air hub handled 2.38 million passengers last month, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

In May 2003, the number of passengers fell to just 1 million from 2.39 million in 2002, as the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome decimated air travel across Asia. The war in Iraq prompted a drop in global air passenger numbers.

The virus killed 33 from 238 infected in Singapore and killed 774 of over 8,000 sickened worldwide.

The Singapore airport said it handled 17.3 per cent more air cargo volumes last month at 147,718 tonnes compared with 125,909 tonnes in May 2003.

Singapore's aviation industry accounts for around 9 per cent of the Republic's US$95 billion economy. -- AP

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

JUNE 11, 2004
Numbers suggest a bumper year for Changi
With the airport actively wooing carriers, passenger, cargo and flight volumes are on an upswing, surpassing pre-Sars levels

By Karamjit Kaur

CHANGI AIRPORT should end the year strongly, as key performance indicators - passenger traffic, cargo volume, number of airlines and city links - have surpassed even pre-Sars levels.

And the number of flights a week is back to what it was before the virus hit.

In the first five months of the year, Changi handled 11.8 million passengers, or 30 per cent more than in the comparable period last year.

This is 1 per cent more than in January to May 2002, the first five months of what was a record year.

If the trend holds, this could be a bumper year, with passenger traffic expected to exceed 30 million.

Last month alone, Changi handled 2.38 million passengers, more than double the one million registered in May last year.

In 2002, the year before Sars hit, it handled 29 million passengers, the most since its opening in 1981, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said yesterday.

The cargo business is also doing well, with January-to-May traffic reaching 706,603 tonnes, 10 per cent higher than a year ago, and more than 8 per cent higher than for the same spell in 2002. Last month, the airport dealt with 147,718 tonnes of cargo, 17.3 per cent more than in May last year.

The number of flights handled per week - another key indicator - has exceeded 3,400, on par with the pre-Sars level.

The numbers look promising for Changi as it competes with airports such as those in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai and Hong Kong to be the premier Asian air hub.

What they show is that the incentives offered to attract more airlines to fly here are working.

Take, for example, last October's announcement of cash rewards for airlines that bring extra travellers to Changi Airport. More than $40 million has been set aside for this scheme, which began in January.

Since the year started, Cambodia Airlines, Valuair, Thai AirAsia, Shandong Airlines and Austrian Airlines have started flights from Singapore.

That's five in five months, compared with five in the whole of last year.

The additions bring to 71 the number of carriers flying out of Changi, compared with a pre-Sars total of 64.

This gives passengers more options for connecting flights, because Changi is now linked to 162 cities, compared with 134 in April last year before the full impact of the virus was felt.

The rest of the year looks just as promising, said DBS Vickers aviation analyst Chris Sanda, noting that consumer sentiments are high and private-sector forecasts are predicting the economy will grow by 7 per cent this year.

He said: 'The current numbers are encouraging and a stong economy brings with it good prospects for growth in business travel.'

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

If the number hits beyond 30 million, it will be a trully impressive feat!! :eek:

Business Times - 15 Jun 2004

S'pore boosts air and tourism links with Chongqing city

SINGAPORE - Singapore is now linked to the bustling city of Chongqing in southwest China as SilkAir operates a non-stop twice weekly service to the Chinese city.

The new connection to Chongqing will further boost air, tourism and trade ties between Singapore and China.

With Chongqing, Changi Airport is now linked to 14 cities in China.

Mr Wong Woon Liong, Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said China is one of the fastest growing segments for Changi in terms of the number of weekly services with 144 services a week between Changi and the various Chinese cities.

Visitor arrivals from China jumped 17 per cent in April 2004 when compared to the corresponding period in 2002.

Since 2002, approximately 8,000 people from Chongqing visit Singapore each year for tour, business and education.

The Singapore Tourism Board has also eased the visa application process for Chongqing visitors by authorising Chongqing Yangtze International Travel Service and Chongqing Overseas Tourist Corp Ltd to issue Singapore visas in Chongqing.

Previously, Chongqing visitors had to first travel to another city to apply for visa and take flights to Singapore.

Chongqing is often described as southwest China's commercial capital.

The city is China's fourth municipality and comes under the direct control of the central government.

It is the major port of the upper Yangtze River and the gateway to the famous Three Gorges region, making the city a significant centre of tourism.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

14 cities....and counting! :D

14 cities....and counting! :D

Haha....I won't be surprised that they will be adding more flights to different cities as more parts of China are opened up for business...... :)

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 26 June 2004 1624 hrs

Singapore, S Lanka should try to reach 'open skies' accord: PM Goh
By Channel NewsAsia's reporter S Ramesh reporting from Colombo

COLOMBO: Singapore and Sri Lanka should try and reach an 'open skies' agreement to help boost trade and tourism between the two countries, says Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong.

Mr Goh, who arrived in Sri Lanka on Friday on the last leg of his three-nation South Asian tour, met business and political leaders.

In talks with the country's leaders such as President Chandrika Kumaratunga, Mr Goh urged them to complement peace efforts with pro-business and pro-market policies.

Both countries are looking to boost good and long-standing ties.

Singapore and Sri Lanka have much to gain from working together, said Mr Goh, and one good sign in this direction is the on-going discussions to conclude a free trade agreement between both countries.

The discussions started in October last year.

PM Goh said: "Once you have this free trade agreement, symbolically, you are telling foreign investors that the economy is prepared to be opened up and liberalised. Tariffs will be brought down and local investors will not be protected. They have to compete against foreign investments."

Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga said: "My government's policies are designed to build a modern market-friendly economy, free from corruption and aimed at providing equal opportunities for every citizen."

Links between Singapore and Sri Lanka go back a long way to legends, said Mr Goh.

"The name 'Sinhala' or 'Island of Lions' bears similarities with my country's old name, 'Singapura' or 'Lion City'."

And, President Kumaratunga recalled that before Singapore's independance, a large number of Sri Lankan teachers, doctors and lawyers had settled in the country. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 29 June 2004 1920 hrs

Swissport awarded Changi Airport's third ground-handling licence
By Melvin Yong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The Singapore government has awarded Zurich-based Swissport International the third ground handling licence for Changi Airport.

Swissport pipped the Texas-based Worldwide Flight Services for the 10-year licence, which starts next year.

Competition is heating up for ground handlers at Changi Airport.

From next year, Swissport will start providing services like passenger check-in, baggage handling and cargo handling.

That will put it in direct competition with the two existing ground handlers -- Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) and Changi International Airport Services (CIAS).

In awarding the licence to Swissport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said it considered factors like the firm's experience, track record and business plans, and vision for the operations at Changi Airport.

CAAS wants to create more competition to reduce ground handling costs.

In line with that, the aviation regulator will be restructuring the franchise fees for the ground handling business at Changi.

This will save ground handlers S$10 million a year.

Changi's ground-handling business is worth an estimated S$1.2 billion.

Air passenger and airfreight traffic at Changi Airport have risen in the first five months of this year, compared to the January to May period of 2003 and 2002.

CAAS says the tender for the third flight catering licence is currently being evaluated. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 30 June 2004 2245 hrs

Spider-Man stunt at Changi Airport Control Tower to launch new show
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : 'Spider-Man 2' opens at cinemas islandwide this week but even before the comic super-hero hits the silver screen, he was spotted scaling the Changi Airport control tower.

This is the first time anyone has been allowed to do this.

The stunt was in conjunction with some special performances being staged at Changi Airport.

And where better to stage such a stunt than the 80-metre tall airport control tower, one of the most recognisable Singapore icons.

Changi Airport hopes its latest Spider-Man stunt will help it to beat the competition and cast its web wider in attracting passengers from around the world.

Tourists passing through Changi Airport for the next few days will be entertained by a half-hour live performance.

Spider-Man's nemesis Dr Octopus and the villain's side-kick Electro were also part of the action -- not forgetting the obligatory damsel in distress and some well choreographed fight scenes to keep tourists entertained.

"It's good promotion, very well acted," one tourist said.

"Yes, it's really good because you are waiting around and nothing to do," another said.

"Most importantly it is to make our customers who wait at the airport feel that Changi Airport is different, memorable and their stay at the airport is short and sweet," said Foo Sek Min, deputy director (airport management) at Changi Airport. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 26 June 2004 1624 hrs

Singapore, S Lanka should try to reach 'open skies' accord: PM Goh
Another open-skies agreement will be good, although the links between these two markets arent exactly weak at present in my opinion, unless there is some form of linkage to be exploited? Emirates and Sri Lankan might happily expand their codesharing into Singapore via Colombo thou! :D

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 30 June 2004 2001 hrs

Temasek receives some 20 bids for CIAS
By Melvin Yong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : The Singapore investment company, Temasek Holdings, has seen strong interest for its plans to sell its airport ground handling unit.

Temasek says it received around 20 bids for Changi International Airport Services.

A Temasek spokeswoman would not name the bidders, except to say they comprise both local and foreign parties, including leading international industry players.

The investment company is currently evaluating the bids.

Temasek also confirmed that it received a bid from Swissport International.

But the Zurich-based company will be excluded from the bid process because it was awarded a third ground-handling licence for Changi Airport on Tuesday.

Temasek, which owns some 78 percent of CIAS, wants to divest the ground-handler to realise value from its investments.

The remaining shareholders are Air France, KLM, GlobeGround, China Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Deutsche Lufthansa.

All have also agreed to sell their stake.

CIAS currently has a 20 percent share of the ground-handling market in Singapore.

The remaining 80 percent is controlled by Singapore Airport Terminal Services, which is 87 percent-owned by Singapore Airlines.

The impending sale of CIAS comes amid other measures by the Singapore government to help Changi Airport compete with its regional rivals. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Business Times - 07 Jul 2004

Lone bidder withdraws CAAS flight catering bid
LSG may instead buy Temasek's stake in CIAS

By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) LSG Asia Holdings Ltd has withdrawn its lone bid for the 20-year licence to be the third flight catering operator at Changi Airport.

The company, which is the world's largest provider of integrated in-flight solutions, withdrew its bid last month but announced its decision only yesterday. LSG, a subsidiary of LSG Lufthansa Service Holdings, was the only bidder for the tender which closed on April 30 this year.

LSG's announcement came on the heels of a surprise statement yesterday from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, which said that it had accepted LSG's withdrawal.

'We intend to call a new tender at a later date,' said a CAAS spokesman.

But industry watchers don't think CAAS will be in a hurry to do so.

Chris Sanda of DBS Vickers pointed out that LSG or any new player would have second thoughts about coming in as a late entrant, then competing with the established incumbents, Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) and Changi International Airport Services (CIAS).

'It's a very difficult position for someone to move into,' he said. 'If you start with just 10 per cent, how do you scale up in the face of dominant players who have been there from the beginning? Surely they must fancy greener pastures elsewhere.'

But the pullout by LSG would give SATS a much needed respite.

'They must be having a satay party over there now!' quipped Mr Sanda.

Though it controls about 80 per cent of the market at Changi and derives about 60 per cent of its business from SIA, SATS has said that after investing over $1 billion in facilities at Changi, including two state-of-the-art inflight kitchens, it faces significant excess capacity.

But LSG may not have totally given up plans to operate at Changi either.

In an announcement yesterday, the company hinted that it could make an entry via a purchase of Temasek Holding's stake in CIAS.

'On May 6, 2004, Singapore investment company Temasek Holdings initiated the process for the divestment of Changi International Airport Services (CIAS), which is currently one of the two flight catering providers at Changi Airport,' H K Cheung, LSG executive vice-president for Asia-Pacific, said.

'Given the divestment proposal, LSG Sky Chefs has been presented with different options to become one of the flight catering service providers in Changi Airport. It would make sense to our company to evaluate all available options before making any conclusion. LSG Sky Chefs has concluded that it would be appropriate for the company to withdraw from the tender.'

LSG serves 270 airlines from more than 200 customer service centres in 48 countries in areas of catering, procurement, equipment management and Total Inflight Management. The group produces around 313 million airline meals a year and chalked up revenue of 2.7 billion euros (S$5.7 billion) last year.

Meanwhile, CAAS last month awarded Swissport, a unit of Candover Investments and KLM Dutch Airlines, a 10-year licence to operate ground handling services at Changi from July 2005. Swissport beat Worldwide Flight Service - the only other company that bid to become Changi's third ground services operator - in a tender that closed on April 30.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 30 June 2004 2001 hrs

Temasek receives some 20 bids for CIAS
Surprise surprise. Who would have expected such a strong responce!! :)

July 09, 2004
Harry’s takes off at airport

By Zubaidah Nazeer

Boat Quay icon Harry’s Bar will now greet travellers in the transit lounges of Changi Airport Terminals One and Two.

http://www.asiaone.com.sg/streats/pics/20040709_story3.jpg

The two bars, which began operating last month, take the number of Harry’s Bars here to four. Its Boat Quay branch started 12 years ago, while the one at the Esplanade opened in 2002.

Arjun Blom, 40, the general manager at the Boat Quay outlet, who is also overseeing both airport bars, told Streats that Harry’s won the tender for a three-year rental contract at the end of May.

And in keeping with the airport authority’s policy to make drinks prices attractive to transit passengers, beverages – such as soft drinks, draft beer, coffee and tea – at the airport bars are cheaper than those in the downtown ones.

Said Mr Blom: “We lowered the prices of those categories of drinks by as much as 40 per cent.”

For example, draft beer at the airport costs about $5 for a half pint, lower than the downtown happy-hour cost of $7, and soft drinks such as Coke are as cheap as $1.60 compared to about $4.

Even cocktails prices are “slightly lower”, he said.

Harry’s airport bars will also be the first food and beverage outlets to allow smoking.

In keeping with the Harry’s Bar tradition of having a signature drink at each outlet, the airport bars will offer a newly created concoction of hard liquors and fruit juice called Singapore Swing.

Tiger Beer, which Mr Blom describes as a Singapore icon, will be on tap there.

Although famous for its chicken curry and fish and chips, the pub will serve only light snacks.

“Our target is the transit passenger who would probably have a few minutes to sit and relax,” said Mr Blom.

Both bars, each with a capacity of 100, overlook the runways.

Added Mr Blom: “At T1, we kept some elements of the Boat Quay outlet, like its terrace style, by having a verandah set-up.

“At T2, what’s new is the cigar corner with sofas and chairs.”

And, yes, Harry’s Bar will rotate its usual international jazz and rhythm and blues guest artistes to the two airport bars as well.

Copyright © 2003 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

A news article from May......

Thursday May 6, 07:07 AM

http://asia.news.yahoo.com/040505/6/1h63w.html

Australian makes first Darwin flight

Australian Airlines will make its inaugural flight from Darwin to Singapore today.

Darwin will become the 12th port in the leisure airline's growing international network.

Australian will be operating 52 flights a week across six countries.

"Our two weekly services will provide a boost to the inbound tourism industry in the Northern Territory with an additional 540 seats into Darwin from Singapore and a further 540 seats from Cairns each week," Head of Sales and Marketing Luisa Pastrello said.

"The new services also allow our Japanese customers one-stop connections to Darwin via Cairns from the cities of Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka." - Travelpress travel news

Copyright © 2002 Travel Media Group. All rights reserved.

Strange...isnt Qantas already flying the Singapore-Darwin sector?

Strange...isnt Qantas already flying the Singapore-Darwin sector?

Australian Airlines seems to be targeting a different type of passenger(leisure type)......but anyway, it means more flights for Singapore-Darwin sector........ :cheers:

It seems Australian Airlines are more like complimenting Qantas......A check at the changi website(flight planner), Qantas fly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, while Australian Airlines fly on Wednesday and Sunday. :)

Australian Airlines seems to be targeting a different type of passenger(leisure type)......but anyway, it means more flights for Singapore-Darwin sector........ :cheers:

It seems Australian Airlines are more like complimenting Qantas......A check at the changi website(flight planner), Qantas fly on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, while Australian Airlines fly on Wednesday and Sunday. :)
icic. I wont have expected them to canabalise each other .

Anyway, Qantas-Australia seems to have a monopoly on that sector, am I right? SIA used to fly there, but ceased operations 10 years ago! :eek:

icic. I wont have expected them to canabalise each other .

Anyway, Qantas-Australia seems to have a monopoly on that sector, am I right? SIA used to fly there, but ceased operations 10 years ago! :eek:

Yes....I was quite surprise to find from the flight planner that only Qantas and Australian Airlines is flying the Singapore-Darwin sector.....Given that Australian Airlines is Qantas's subsidary, they are really monopolising that sector.........:eek:

I guess SIA might have ceased operation due to a lack of traffic....I seldom hear people from Singapore go to Darwin for tour......

To attract tourists, maybe we should have a hotel in or beside the airport.A lowrise, super-luxurious one.

Yes....I was quite surprise to find from the flight planner that only Qantas and Australian Airlines is flying the Singapore-Darwin sector.....Given that Australian Airlines is Qantas's subsidary, they are really monopolising that sector.........:eek:

I guess SIA might have ceased operation due to a lack of traffic....I seldom hear people from Singapore go to Darwin for tour......
So it makes me wonder why Qantas/Australian is actually increasing flights via Darwin. Perhaps there is a market afterall?

So it makes me wonder why Qantas/Australian is actually increasing flights via Darwin. Perhaps there is a market afterall?

I suspect it might have something to do with the new railway link in Australia(alice springs-darwin)...(the rail link to increase passenger/cargo traffic to Darwin)
http://www.railway-technology.com/projects/alice/index.html

It seems like I read on news article they were trying to increase cargo/passenger flow to Darwin so I guess the increase in flight to Darwin is part of the plan........:)

The railway link? Now that is a point of view I have not considered before! :D

SIA should consider entering the sector and give Qantas a run for its money.

The railway link? Now that is a point of view I have not considered before! :D

SIA should consider entering the sector and give Qantas a run for its money.

Haha....i think SIA will be more eager to get that Sydney-LA route first......:D

To attract tourists, maybe we should have a hotel in or beside the airport.A lowrise, super-luxurious one.
Got transit hotel liao not enough ah?

Got meh?How is it like?

I mean I want a 'real' hotel in the airport.

Got meh?How is it like?

I mean I want a 'real' hotel in the airport.

Of course got.....

http://www.changi.airport.com.sg/changi/level3.jsp;jsessionid=Az0xBOJeF2rBya6fj1c0OyYMWLG1KL8mi92TWZHCWfXknsXnLIxk!673967279!-1062718459!7005!8005?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302023764&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181064&bmUID=1089713329523#

It is so small...
No suites?

How 'bout a mega-convention centre at Changi?:D

It is so small...
No suites?

How 'bout a mega-convention centre at Changi?:D

The Mega(and expanding) Singapore Expo is just five mins away from the airport...........:wallbash:

There is an exhibition centre at Changi North?

There is an exhibition centre at Changi North?

Yes but that is use for Asian aerospace......:)

Only for that?

Only for that?

You see them using for any other thing??? :? :lol:

No???

I rarely pass by the area...

Business Times - 15 Jul 2004

Changi records highest passenger traffic

SINGAPORE - The number of travellers using Changi Airport in June 2004 rose to the highest level since December last year.

Changi Airport received 2.6 million passengers in June 2004.

The last time the passenger number surpassed this mark was in December 2003, when 2.7 million people passed through, started or ended their flights at Changi.The June 2004 figure also represents a 70.4 per cent jump over June 2003, when 1.53 million travellers used Changi Airport.

Compared with June 2002 before SARS struck, the June 2004 number is 6 per cent higher.

In June 2002, Changi received 2.46 million travellers.

The first six months of the year saw 14.4 million travellers using Changi Airport, a 35.5 per cent hike over the corresponding period a year ago, and a 1.7 per cent increase over the same period in 2002.Air cargo volume retained its steady climb.

Changi Airport handled 149,699 tonnes of airfreight in June 2004, 17.7 per cent higher than June 2003, and a 6 per cent rise from June 2002.

In the first six months of this year, air cargo volume rose 11.1 per cent year-on-year to 856,303 tonnes.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

There is an exhibition centre at Changi North?

Here's more info......

Asian Aerospace move confirmed

After much speculation, the Singapore authorities have confirmed that Asian Aerospace is moving to a new site in 2008.
Dr Tony Tan, deputy prime minister and coordinating minister for Security And Defence, announced the plan in his speech at the show’s opening ceremony on Monday night.

“The government has decided to build a brand new home at a larger, better-equipped exhibition centre located at Changi North for the 2008 airshow,” he said.

“The new exhibition centre will be equipped with the most modern facilities to enable exhibitors to show their products and services and participants to attend the show, transact deals and meet with their business contacts comfortably and conveniently.”

The announcement was welcomed by Mike Rusbridge, chairman of show organiser Reed Exhibitions. If he has his way, the new home for Asian Aerospace will be what he calls an “ideal venue” for the region’s top airshow.

Rusbridge wouldn’t be drawn on specifics such as the size of the site or development cost, hinting it might be impolitic to comment on details of a project which is a Singapore government-funded initiative.

But he says the government has all of Reed’s input on specifications for the site and structures, including what exhibitors and participants want. They include a more “structured” layout, with a series of interconnected halls and spaces, roughly double the present capacity. That should address criticism of the hard-standing of the current site, which users have said could be more accessible. Parking space, a bane for many visitors, should also improve.

Work, including access roads, has already begun on the new site at the northern tip of new Runway 3 at Changi airport.

http://www.flightdailynews.com/singapore2004/02_25/show/asian.shtm

Built specially for it?

Built specially for it?

According to the article, yes....it's built specially for Asian Aerospace....:)

Wonder is it really worth it.

the asian aerospace brings in alot of tourism dollars and puts singapore in the spotlight for a while also... singapore cannot lose its dominant position in the aerospace exhibition...

Wonder is it really worth it.

Is it worth it??? This article says it all......:)

http://www.asianaerospace.com/pr_latest.asp?latest_pr_id=40

Asian Aerospace 2004 Scores with Record Deals Signed, Delegations and Trade Visitor Attendance

Singapore – Asian Aerospace 2004 (AA2004) re-affirms its position as the world’s second most influential airshow announcing US$3.52 billion worth of deals over the four trade days of the exhibition. Adding to this record amount were many other significant deals with undisclosed figures.

This amount surpassed the US$3.2 billion announced after the 2002 show, indicative of the continued optimistic growth that the global aviation and aerospace industry is experiencing in the recent months.

“This has been a really fantastic show, definitely one of the best so far. Bell Helicopter has closed US$20 million worth of deals at AA2004 and we have plans for a bigger presence at the next show,” said a spokesperson from Bell Helicopter.

AA2004 played host to 148 official delegations from 47 countries. Guests that attended the show included top government and military leaders from around the world, cementing Singapore’s strategic positioning as a global aviation hub, and an ideal location for international events.

Mr Ed Ng, President of Asian Aerospace Pte Ltd said, “Asian Aerospace has once again proven to be a must-attend show for aviation and aerospace companies eyeing the growing Asia-Pacific market. The new business opportunities developed and the partnerships forged at the show will continue to benefit participants even after the show ends.”

The event scored another new record in trade visitor turnout. Based on tabulations as of Friday, February 27, the number of trade visitors at AA2004 has already exceeded last show’s record of 23,433, reinforcing the successes of the show’s value added initiatives and events that reflect the latest aviation and aerospace technologies.

“CTT Systems is very glad to be at AA2004. We have seen many high quality visitors and it is encouraging to see so many people at the show. It is good to see that people are still investing in the industry after such difficult times.” said Gunnar Nilsson, Director Sales and Marketing, CTT Systems AB – Sweden.

The exhibition featured 758 exhibitors from 33 countries, who continue to lend their support and offer visitors a sample of the latest products of the aviation and aerospace industry.

Mr Syed Mohd Fazilla, Executive Publisher, Asian Defence Journal complimented, “Asian Aerospace 2004 is probably one of the best and most well organised airshows we have ever attended.”
...........

PLUS economic spinoffs such as shopping, hotel, transport etc and reputation as a key air hub and MICE hub......:eek:

BTW 21% of visitors come to Singapore due to MICE......so I think it definitely worth it........:yes:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=104600&page=3&pp=20

Connect some MagLev train from Changi directly to Raffles Place in the city centre.

^
430km/h maglev train for 20 km??? I dun think thats practical......a 130km/h suburban train would be more suitable........:)

What about one goes from Singapore to Johor Bahru?

What about one goes from Singapore to Johor Bahru?

Dun think it'll ever happen........unless there is no bilateral competition(which is impossible).......

Only causeways I guess.

Well...why would there be a maglev to Johor Bahru when they are much more interested in developing their own aviational hub at Senai? ;)

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 21 July 2004 0824 hrs

SATS to expand overseas as domestic competition intensifies

SINGAPORE : Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS) plans to expand its operations overseas as competition increases in Singapore.

The company is the catering and ground handling unit of Singapore Airlines.

Operations outside Singapore made up 15.5 per cent of the company's profit before tax for the year ended March 31.

SATS aims to increase its pre-tax profit share from overseas ventures to between 20 and 25 per cent in the medium term, Chairman Edmund Cheng said in a meeting for shareholders.

"The environment locally is getting more and more competitive and there is an urgent need for SATS to expand overseas," Mr Cheng said.

"Even going overseas, the opportunities are not much and when there are opportunities, it is very competitive."

Competition for ground-handling services intensified after the Government last month awarded a third licence to Swissport International.

Changi International Airport Services, a unit of Temasek Holdings, also provides check-in, baggage and cargo services at Changi Airport.

SATS handles about 80 per cent of the cargo at Changi and has been expanding from its home base, with joint ventures at Asian airports including those in India, China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines and the Maldives. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Hope there'll be a high-speed rail link to JB in the new bridge to ease congestion!

^
Not likely to happen in the near future........:)

Maybe something can be reconciled.We argeed to build a second bridge so why not a rail link?A special shuttle service linking JB with, perhaps Woodlands MRT Station?People can also board and alight at the checkpoint.

^
It's not as simple as just build a rail-link......there are a lot at stake.......see thread #124.....:)

If they really need a link, you might as well build a third one in the east, which is like so freaking nearer to the airport right? :D

JULY 24, 2004
200 free Internet machines at Changi Airport

INTERNET surfing at Changi Airport is taking off.

There are now 200 machines with free Internet access, up from 40 in January this year, while wireless Internet coverage at the airport has also been expanded.

The machines are in the departure transit lounges of both Terminals 1 and 2, as well as most gatehold rooms - the places you wait to board a plane after the security checks.

The first 20 were installed in 2002. A Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) statement yesterday said that Changi has 'the largest number of free Internet terminals available in any airport worldwide'.

More than 3,000 travellers use the machines daily.

Another improvement is that wireless coverage now extends to the gatehold rooms. Within such 'hot spots', travellers can send e-mail from wireless-enabled laptops or personal digital assistants.

The main public areas, such as the arrival and departure halls, had already offered wireless access, but this connectivity - offered by StarHub - must be paid for. For instance, a half-hour pay-per-use package with StarHub costs $6.

There are more than 80 hot spots, and subscribers to major service providers in Malaysia, Australia, Britain, China and South Korea - as well as to roaming partners like Gric and iPass - can log on too.

Wireless coverage at the airport spans an area of '28 football fields', said CAAS.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 29 Jul 2004

Changi Airport to handle 21% more people in 2004

(JAKARTA) Singapore's Changi Airport, South-east Asia's second-busiest, will handle 21 per cent more passengers this year as travel demand across Asia increases, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said.

The number of passengers may reach 30 million, up from 24.7 million last year, Mr Yeo said at Bali. The number may increase by an average of 5 per cent to 6 per cent a year in future, he said.

The increase in passenger traffic follows a 15 per cent drop last year because of Sars. Economic growth in countries and new low-cost airlines in South-east Asia is making air travel affordable to more people, prompting the Singapore government to build a US$1.75 billion third terminal at Changi to be opened in 2008.

'We build in anticipation of the demand,' said Mr Yeo at a conference for transport ministers in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group. 'Based on the growth rate we are seeing now, in 2008 demand will be quite high. The first two terminals will be already crowded by then.'

The new terminal will increase Changi's annual capacity 45 per cent to 64 million passengers. - Bloomberg

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

AUG 2, 2004
Changi offers twice-weekly flights to Qingdao

SINGAPORE - China's Shandong Airlines has begun twice-weekly services from Singapore to the Chinese mainland, raising the number of flights between the two countries to over 140 a week, Singapore's airport authority said on Monday.

Shandong Airlines on Saturday added an additional flight to its existing one between Qingdao on China's eastern coast and Singapore, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said in a statement.

Shandong is the eighth carrier to fly between the regional hub of Singapore and China, the statement said.

Singapore is looking for greater access to China's 130 airports that handle more than 174 million people on 1,155 air routes each year. -- AP

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

'We build in anticipation of the demand,' said Mr Yeo at a conference for transport ministers in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group. 'Based on the growth rate we are seeing now, in 2008 demand will be quite high. The first two terminals will be already crowded by then.'
Er....he expects us to handle 44 million passengers in 2008?? Kinda optimistic I have to say....

35 million could be crowded too?

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 13 August 2004 2042 hrs

Changi Airport organises games for travellers during Olympics
By Johnson Choo, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : If you cannot be in Athens to witness the Olympic Games, how about taking part in a friendly competition in Singapore.

The competitors are not athletes, but travellers.

In a move to inject some of the Olympic buzz at Changi Airport, various events have been staged for 80,000 travellers who use the airport daily.

They can compete in games such as long jump, archery, soccer and basketball.

And following the tradition of the Olympics, winners are rewarded with specially-designed medals, plus Olympic memorabilia, and shopping vouchers.

And for those who prefer to watch from the sidelines, there are performances by Singapore Cheerobics Teams and Silat Teams.

The Changi Games are on till August 29. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Quite tongue-in-cheek I know, but Changi bascially won (yet again) in the best airport to sleep in survey according to this site! :D

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/

Quite tongue-in-cheek I know, but Changi bascially won (yet again) in the best airport to sleep in survey according to this site! :D

http://www.sleepinginairports.net/

Haha....seems like changi is rather good in most aspects.......:D

Business Times - 19 Aug 2004

Changi passenger traffic hits 7-mth high

By VEN SREENIVASAN

PASSENGER traffic at Changi Airport in July soared to its highest level since December 2003, with some 2.68 million travellers using the hub.

This was a 26.3 per cent increase from 2.12 million travellers in July 2003 and an 8.1 per cent increase from 2.48 million passengers in July 2002 before Sars struck in early 2003.

Just over 17 million passengers - more than four times Singapore's resident population - passed through Changi Airport in January-July.

This was a whopping 44 per cent jump from the same period in 2003 and a 2.7 per cent increase on the pre-Sars numbers in January-July 2002.

Changi's air-freight traffic was also up strongly in last month, rising 15.8 per cent to 151,494 tonnes, compared with 130,797 tonnes in July 2003. The number was also 9.4 per cent higher than the 138,534 tonnes handled in July 2002.

For the first seven months of the year, Changi Airport handled slightly over a million tonnes of air cargo - an 11.8 per cent increase from the same period last year and an 8.3 per cent increase from January-July 2002.

The latest numbers mark a strong recovery from last year, when passenger traffic at Changi tumbled 15 per cent after Sars.

With regional economies on the mend and low-cost carriers making flying more affordable for the masses, Changi is expected to see passenger throughput increase about 5 per cent a year in the coming years.

The number of passengers passing through Changi is expected to exceed 30 million this year, up from 24.7 million last year.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

30 million seems to be on track! :eek:

It will be a major boost to industry confidence here, I suppose, even if it is just short of the 30 million of coz. the upsurge is certainly a much needed shot in the vein!

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 24 August 2004 1048 hrs

Movie premiere of 'The Terminal' to be held at Singapore Changi Airport

SINGAPORE : Movie buffs and air travellers can catch the exclusive premiere screenings of "The Terminal" at Singapore Changi Airport.

This is the first ever movie premiere to be held at an airport.

The Hollywood movie which stars award-winning actor Tom Hanks and actress Catherine Zeta Jones, is inspired by the true story of Merhan Karimi Nasseri, an Iranian exile who has been living in Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport for the past 16 years.

The movie version tells the story of Viktor Navorski - played by Hanks - a visitor to New York City from Eastern Europe, whose homeland erupts in a fiery coup while he is in the air en route to America.

When he arrives at John F Kennedy International Airport with a passport from nowhere, he finds himself stranded.

Changi Airport is the only airport to serve as a premiere venue for the movie.

The premiere screening of "The Terminal" will take place on 28 August 2004, within the transit area in Changi Airport's Terminal 1 at the Sky Lounge.

Passengers waiting for their connecting flights at Changi Airport will also get to enjoy the movie on 29 August.

"The Terminal" opens in cinemas in Singapore on 9 September. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

30 million seems to be on track! :eek:

It will be a major boost to industry confidence here, I suppose, even if it is just short of the 30 million of coz. the upsurge is certainly a much needed shot in the vein!

I think we might just reach the 30million mark cos tiger airways starting one month ahead schedule......:yes:

That's creative!

That's creative!

What's creative?:?

Screening the movie at the airport! :D

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 29 August 2004 2225 hrs

"The Terminal" movie premieres at Changi Airport
By Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Steven Spielberg's latest movie "The Terminal" is inspired by a true story about a man who lived in an airport for over 16 years.

And what better place to premiere it in Singapore than at Changi Airport.

With movie posters and pop corn, it looks like a regular cinema, but with a view of the runway.

Some 160 people, who participated in contests held with the Today newspaper, Gold 90.5FM radio station and 8 days magazine, won for themselves tickets to the premiere of "The Terminal".

The venue is the sky lounge of Changi Airport's Terminal One - a first for the airport and excited movie buffs.

"That's something new as well, something good. Something unique that you don't have it everyday."

"Unexpected, and I think quite a new idea to have a movie screened in the terminal."

For others, the pre-movie tour of the airport was also a highlight.

"We know about the facilities in here now, he was thinking of bringing the children earlier the next time we come and visit because we're planning a holiday in December."

"You should have more such screening as well as tour going round so that people can get to know the airport better, anyway Changi Airport is what the first in the world."

The movie, starring Tom Hanks and Catherine Zeta-Jones, will also be screened for transit passengers, and will open in cinemas across Singapore on September 9.

For more on the man who inspired the movie, as well as insights into airports in Malaysia and Hong Kong, catch the special edition of Yours Truly Asia on Monday, at 8pm on Channel NewsAsia. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

pooh it's actually andrew niccol's script and he was going to direct it but somehow things didnt work out and steven spielberg ended up the director

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 07 September 2004 1713 hrs

Temasek sells 78.4% stake in CIAS to Emirates unit, Dnata
By Chan Hwa Loon, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Investment firm Temasek Holdings is selling its entire 78.4 percent stake in Changi International Airport Services (CIAS) to Dnata, a unit of the Emirates Group.

But both Temasek and Dnata declined to disclose the amount Dnata is paying for the stake, due to a confidentiality agreement between them.

There were more than 20 bids for Temasek's 78.4 percent stake in CIAS, including some of the world's top terminal services operators.

In the end, it was Emirates unit Dnata which emerged the winning bidder.

And Dnata is eyeing the rest of the stake in CIAS.

Gary Chapman, President, Dnata, said, "On the other shareholders, we will discuss with them their aspirations and work with them on the basis that they would like to - and the indications are - we have been told that they would like to sell, in which case we would work with them to conclude a purchase from them."

Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said there are many synergies between Dnata and CIAS.

He said the Emirates looks forward to helping maintain Changi International Airports' role as a major global hub.

Dnata provides ground handling and cargo services at Dubai International Airport and is one of the largest travel organisations in the Middle East, with 6,200 employees.

CIAS trails rival Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS), in the local market.

It has only a 20 percent market share, versus SATS' 80 percent.

Temasek had put up its CIAS stake for sale in May, as part of its continuous review of its investment portfolio.

Temasek's financial advisor for the stake sale is Deutsche Bank. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Very interesting development. If Emirates wants to invest this much into Changi, then I suppose it might mean they want to have a continued, if not a higher stake, in the Singapore aviation sector?

Very interesting development. If Emirates wants to invest this much into Changi, then I suppose it might mean they want to have a continued, if not a higher stake, in the Singapore aviation sector?

Somehow or rather, I feel the development simply reinforce what you've said about emirates a few months ago in another thread......:yes:

Ain't Emirates always competing with SIA?

Ain't Emirates always competing with SIA?

But then Emirates is also trying to establish a hub in Singapore.......:yes:

Isn't that contriadicting itself?

Isn't that contriadicting itself?

Not really......by establishing a hub in Singapore, it actually makes it even more easy to take a bite of SIA's market share.......Singapore has a rather substantial transit traffic.....establishing a hub here will make it easier to explore that traffic......:yes:

But then it'll be beneficial to Changi as a whole as more passenger use it as a transit hub......:yes:

So theoratically both sides would benifit?
I see... :yes:

So theoratically both sides would benifit?
I see... :yes:

Yup.....of course......:yes:

:yes:

SIA should consider setting up a hub in Dubai then? :D

Anyway this is a positive development, because rumous has it that Emirate might actually shift its operations to Bangkok, or simply skip this area when flying to Australia thanks to the long-haul planes.

SIA should consider setting up a hub in Dubai then? :D


If given the chance, why not?? :lol:

If given the chance, why not?? :lol:
:D Well if we were to look at it seriously, is it truly a viable option?

Dubai does have an open skies policy to allow SIA establishing a hub, hopefully?

:D Well if we were to look at it seriously, is it truly a viable option?

Dubai does have an open skies policy to allow SIA establishing a hub, hopefully?

Right now I think they won't do it cos they are still in the midst of developing emirates........i dun think they will put such a strong competitor in their own hub......

But i think in the long run might as well spend more time on developing changi instead.....:lol:

Right now I think they won't do it cos they are still in the midst of developing emirates........i dun think they will put such a strong competitor in their own hub......

But i think in the long run might as well spend more time on developing changi instead.....:lol:
Well, SIA might actually loose out if it is flying from the gulf, if you think about it. Emirates scored for offering top-notch service with competitive pricing. SIA will loose out in terms of pricing, unless they can out pace the service offered by Emirates by a significant degree.

But I do want to see how Emirates reacts should SIA goes right ahead! :D

Well, SIA might actually loose out if it is flying from the gulf, if you think about it. Emirates scored for offering top-notch service with competitive pricing. SIA will loose out in terms of pricing, unless they can out pace the service offered by Emirates by a significant degree.

But I do want to see how Emirates reacts should SIA goes right ahead! :D

Pricing?? Hmm....maybe they'll react like they reacted to the budget airlines competition........:lol:

Btw hows the movie "the terminal"??

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 13 September 2004 1945 hrs

Dnata may use CIAS as platform to expand into China and region
By Mazlena Mazlan, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Emirates Group unit Dnata is considering Changi International Airport Services as a platform for expanding into China and the rest of the region.

Dnata president Gary Chapman told Channel NewsAsia this in an exclusive interview in Dubai.

Dnata is buying Temasek Holdings' 78.4 percent stake in CIAS.

CIAS already has interest in ground handling operations in Guangzhou, China.

Dnata already has operations in the Pakistani cities of Karachi, Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar.

It also operates in Manila, Tehran and Doha.

But it views its CIAS acquisition as without question its most important expansion.

Gary Chapman, Chairman, Dnata, said: "We will be very keen to play a part to see Changi grow and prosper. It'll be in our interest to see that happen as a business."

Dnata says that hopefully it can wrap up the CIAS acquisition in the next month to 6 weeks.

It disclosed that the whole deal had gone through in double quick time.

It was first approached about buying over Temasek's stake only in May or June this year.

By last Friday, the deal was sealed.

On a third ground handler, Swissport International, starting operations at Changi Airport next year, Dnata says it is very difficult for it to predict exactly what are the implications of that. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Ain't Emirates always competing with SIA?

Emirates is not in the same league as SIA at all. SIA has better business and economy class products. In terms of First Class, I would say both airlines are comparable although Emirates may be winning only in its new A340 First Class suites. Inconsistency is still found flying Emirates. I have flown on both airlines before and I will still be very loyal to SIA for its services and its business class.

^
Hmmm...thats intteresting.......:D

Trust those who fly much more often then I do! ;)

Medan, dont you think the price you are paying for SIA somehow dampens the joy of enjoying the level of service they provide?

Business Times - 15 Sep 2004

Changi Airport's passenger volume close to new record level

SINGAPORE - Passenger traffic at Changi Airport continued to surpass pre-SARS levels in the month of August.

The airport handled some 2.6 million travellers in August 2004, marking an increase of 15 per cent as compared with the 2.26 million travellers in August 2003.

Compared to August 2002, the latest passenger traffic number was 4 per cent higher.

In August 2002, 2.5 million passengers came through Changi Airport. The latest August figure offers optimism that passenger traffic at Changi Airport will reach new heights this year, barring unforeseen circumstances.

Between January and August 2004, a total of 19.68 million passengers visited Changi Airport.

This is 31.1 per cent more than the same period a year ago, and a 2.9 per cent increase from the corresponding January to August period in 2002.

Passenger volume at Changi Airport reached a record high in 2002, hitting 29 million passengers for the full year.

Meanwhile, Changi Airport processed 147,398 tonnes of cargo in August 2004, which is a jump of 11 per cent from 132,846 tonnes in August 2003, and an increase of 6.3 per cent over August 2002, when 138,618 tonnes of air freight was moved at Changi Airport.

Between January and August 2004, Changi Airport handled slightly over a million tonnes of air freight.

This is an 11.7 per cent hike over the same period last year, and an 8 per cent increase over 2002.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Yoopee! I am just gonna see how much budget aviation is going to make an impact in the figures, if at all! :D

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 16 September 2004 2247 hrs

Manpower Minister urges SATS to restructure wages to stay competitive

SINGAPORE : The management and union of Singapore Air Terminal Services (SATS) have been told to conclude their collective agreement quickly.

Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen said it was crucial for SATS to restructure its wages to stay competitive.

Dr Ng was speaking at the SATS Workers' Union on Thursday.

Citing the example of PSA which also underwent wage restructuring, Dr Ng says the port operator is now seeing the benefits.

Last year, PSA staff accepted wage cuts to keep costs down.

When things turned around, staff were given a goodwill bonus in August, and will be eligible for another bonus next month if the company achieves its cost reduction targets.

Dr Ng said similarly SATS, which is the dominant player in airport services, needs to be just as nimble, especially with price-sensitive low-cost carriers entering the market.

He said Changi Airport must lower fixed costs, otherwise airlines and passengers may bypass Changi. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

SATS is just a lumbering monster with a strong financial backing....SIA! :D

SATS is just a lumbering monster with a strong financial backing....SIA! :D

Haha......I'm not surprised......... ;)

Anyway they have a 80% market share in the ground service in changi airport so how much they charge is really quite crucial for changi........:yes:

That is true. I would think it is highly in Changi's interest that SATS's near monopoly is diminished to a more palatable share of the market.

But then again, cant help that SIA is certainly huge in Changi already! ;)

Business Times - 20 Sep 2004

Changi airport adds more routes to China

SINGAPORE -Changi Airport's link to China has expanded further.

Travellers can now catch direct flights to Dalian and Ningbo cities from Singapore via China Southern Airlines.

The new service departs Singapore at 0300 hours every Monday and Thursday, arrives at Ningbo at 0740 hours, and takes off for Dalian again at 0830 hours.

It arrives at Dalian at 1010 hours. Visitors bound for Singapore can catch a flight from Dalian every Sunday and Wednesday at 1900 hours.

The flight first arrives at Ningbo at 2040 hours, before departing again at 2130 hours for Singapore.

It arrives at Singapore early the next morning at 0200 hours.

With the latest additions of Dalian and Ningbo in Changi Airport's network, Singapore is now linked to 17 cities in China.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

SIA is planning to fly direct to Northeast China soon. Will be looking forward to that! ;)

SIA is planning to fly direct to Northeast China soon. Will be looking forward to that! ;)

If North Korea open up, maybe SIA might fly there too?? ;)

If North Korea open up, maybe SIA might fly there too?? ;)
And who do you suppose are going to take that flight?

And who do you suppose are going to take that flight?

Ppl looking to expand their business in North Korea and those who might be interested to travel there.......

But then it seems like a long wait..........(Dun know it ever happen anot??)....

my primary school sends me their newsletter frequently.. and a few years ago there was this article about a school trip to north korea.. quite shocking haha

my primary school sends me their newsletter frequently.. and a few years ago there was this article about a school trip to north korea.. quite shocking haha

Wah.....thats shocking....:eek: Educate the students on communism???:D

i dunno!

Educating them on how to tap into the N Korean market sounds more like it! :D

A primary school sending its students into North Korea?!!!!!! Are you sure? For that to happen to students at the University/Pre University/Secondary level its hard enough already, imagine how hard it would be for students from primary school... I don't think parents allow their children to be sent to a country without a Singapore embassy, without assurance that their children will not be kidnapped and so far away (How much would parents have to pay just to send one son to North Korea).

i dont know! i just saw pictures of their school trip. the article was in chinese so i dunked it within 5 seconds. maybe they want to show them impressive communist architecture.

Its amazing how you take 1 second to interpret a sentence in an english article and like take forever to interpret anything chinese...hehe

What primary school was it...Its scary to visit North Korea...how can anyone ever want to visit that place...whats nice there???? When you are there you just see empty streets and empty subways and ''Kim Is Great'' articles and ''Kim Is Great'' conversations with the locals...

ai tong primary school.. i have no idea why they went. but i guess dictators often do very grand stuff - although half baked. their subway is somewhat like moscow's but um lower quality. and some other biuldings lar i forgot. some children's hall, some stadium blarblarblar.

i really dont know if they went there to look at architecture though..

if i remember correctly, there were other places on the itinery too.. not just north korea. places in that region lar.

Its amazing how you take 1 second to interpret a sentence in an english article and like take forever to interpret anything chinese...hehe


Kaoz......chinese so difficult mair??

Anyway, do you guys think changi have enough eateries??

Kaoz......chinese so difficult mair??

yes!

changi does seem to have a sufficient number of eateries to me.

yes!

changi does seem to have a sufficient number of eateries to me.

With the upgrades at T2, now it is enough...

yes!

changi does seem to have a sufficient number of eateries to me.

Faintz........:no::lol:

Anyway, Changi has become a meeting point for me lately due to the newly opened eateries.......seems like a great place to relax........:yes:

Minus the heavily armed personel and the check in counters, it looks like any shopping centre.........

Minus the heavily armed personel and the check in counters, it looks like any shopping centre.........

Emm this is a mega mall at the size of 617000 square meters (T1/T2) growing to over 1 million square meters after T3 and budget terminal opens.........:eek:

Minus the heavily armed personel and the check in counters, it looks like any shopping centre.........
Erm...actually I hardly see the "heavily-armed personal" at the airport in the last few trips I was there?

Erm...actually I hardly see the "heavily-armed personal" at the airport in the last few trips I was there?

Maybe thats because you haven't been to the airport often enough??;)

Maybe thats because you haven't been to the airport often enough??;)
Er....more often then I need to already what! :D

Have they relaxed on their patrols or something?

Er....more often then I need to already what! :D

Have they relaxed on their patrols or something?

Not really......just saw on my last visit.......:yes:

I wonder if you have any pictures of the patrolling team??

Business Times - 30 Sep 2004

SINCAIR to boost aviation safety in S'pore

SINGAPORE - The Government has taken steps to promote aviation safety in Singapore with the setting up of the Singapore Confidential Aviation Incident Reporting (SINCAIR) Programme which takes effect on Friday.

Minister of State for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua announced this at the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association (IFALPA) Safety Seminar.

She said the aim of SINCAIR is to enhance aviation safety through the collection of feedback on incidents that would otherwise not be reported through other channels or which may appear minor.

She added that safety lessons can be drawn from the reported incidents, including non-serious ones, and share such information amongst the aviation community in Singapore.

The feedback will enable organisations participating in the programme to learn from these experiences and improve their own procedures and design.

SINCAIR provides a channel for the reporting of aviation incidents and safety deficiencies while protecting the individual's identity.

The procedures used have taken into account the practices of a number of established and similar systems overseas and are international best practices.

SINCAIR is a proactive safety programme that targets all users and operatives of Singapore's aviation system and will adopt a rigorous confidentiality arrangement.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Channel set up for confidential reporting of aviation errors

IN A move to boost flight safety, the Singapore authorities have opened a confidential channel for all aviation users from pilots to aircraft engineers to report mistakes and near-misses without the fear of punishment.

While reporting of incidents that breach aviation safety such as malfunctioning aircraft instruments are already mandatory, others - such as a pilot pressing a wrong button accidentally but resets it in time - could go unreported or appear minor.

The programme to allow this confidential reporting was unveiled at an aviation safety seminar on Thursday.

The programme, which starts today, is part of Singapore's aim to be an international aviation hub and is in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's recommendation for a voluntary incident reporting system that is non-punitive and protects the informer, the Transport Ministry said in a statement.

^
Haha.....feels like a "complain" channel.....:lol:

But so long as it improves the safety, why not??;)

Business Times - 01 Oct 2004

Changi Airport adds Amritsar to India network

SINGAPORE - Singapore Changi Airport has improved its connectivity with India further by adding a new link to Amritsar, a city in the state of Punjab.

With the inclusion of Amritsar, Singapore is now connected to eleven cities in India by five airlines.

The other ten cities are Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Cochin and Trivandrum.

The thrice-weekly non-stop flights by Singapore Airlines to Amritsar depart Changi Airport every Wednesday at 1445 hours and reach Amritsar at 1800 hours.

On Fridays and Sundays, the flights depart Singapore for Amritsar at 1600 hours and reach its destination at 1915 hours.

Amritsar is the second city in India to join Changi Airport's network this year.

The first was Ahmedabad, which Singapore Airlines began mounting services to in July 2004.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

SINGAPORE : Changi Airport is getting ready to welcome the super-sized Airbus A380. It is investing S$45 million to accommodate the much larger plane and the increase in passenger load.

Works started early this year and should be completed in time to welcome the plane when it takes to the skies in 2006.

The A380 is a super-sized plane with two decks that can accommodate up to 550 passengers or about 30 percent more than a 747.

By the second quarter of 2006, Singapore Airlines will be the first airline worldwide to use it.

As part of preparations, while its runways are fine, Changi has to widen the runway shoulders.

Once the A380 lands, taxiway junctions will also have to be widened for it to turn easily.

Parking bays will also have to be adjusted so that there is a safe distance between planes.

But if you are one of its 550 passengers, boarding and disembarking from such a large plane can be tricky.

Changi is considering various aerobridge options, including aerobidges to both main and upper decks, and even increasing this to three aerobridges.

Depending on the options, getting on and off a A380 can take between 11 and 24 minutes.

Other changes include expanding passenger holding areas, and lengthening luggage conveyor belts from the current 70 metres to about 90 metres.

These plans were revealed by airport planners at an international aviation safety conference organised by ALPA-S. - CNA

OCT 2, 2004
You don't have to get baggage screened before airport check-in
Baggage screening goes behind the scenes at Changi Airport's Terminal 1; Terminal 2 will get new system next year

By Karamjit Kaur

TRAVELLERS at Changi Airport Terminal 1 can now walk straight up to their check-in counter with their luggage, hand it over and collect their boarding passes.

A new baggage screening system for both terminals, costing $80 million, will check their bags behind closed doors.

Previously, passengers had to stop first at a security station and lift their bags onto a conveyor belt to be screened, either by a bulky X-ray machine or by a security staff member with a hand-held scanner.

The change, introduced a month ago, has been welcomed by passengers and airlines, who are delighted with the shorter queueing time.

'It effectively means you queue once, not twice,' said housewife Joyce Krishna, 52. 'Sometimes, if the flight is full and there's a long line, the wait at the security station can be about 10-15 minutes.'

Aside from convenience, the public area is also clearer now that the X-ray machines have gone, she said.

Mr Bernard Lim, deputy director (aviation security) with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), told The Straits Times that the new system, with multiple levels of checks, will be introduced in Terminal 2 early next year.

Meanwhile, airlines such as Cathay Pacific said there had been a discernible drop in queueing time during check-in.

'It makes life a lot easier for passengers and makes for a much more orderly check-in procedure,' said its airport services manager (Singapore), Mr Rolando Delfin.

With the new system, the airport now has different types of screening equipment, said Mr Lim.

New X-ray machines can scan luggage from various angles, while explosive-detection systems use computer tomography - similar to the technology used in the medical field - to do scans. If necessary, highly suspicious bags are then placed in a special capsule called the threat containment vessel for disposal.

In most cases, the screening process takes just a few minutes but, if necessary, owners may be contacted to open their bags, said Mr Lim.

Travellers interviewed were grateful for the heightened vigilance, given the terror threat.

Businessman Alex Chan, 45, who flies four or five times a year, said: 'Air travel remains a target for terrorists, so any extra precaution taken is a good thing, especially for people who fly often.'

His only worry: 'What if there's a last-minute problem with my bag and I miss my flight?'

No need to worry, said Mr Lim: 'Since the system started in Terminal 1, only a handful of passengers have been contacted and asked to open their bags for further checks. None of them missed their flights as the checks were done in time.'

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

^
Seems like they are doing all they could to maintain changi reputation.....efficiency......:yes:

I wonder how Skytrax rate this in the security rating??

And like they said, it clears up a heck lot of space in the Departure Hall and the entire place looks neater...

And like they said, it clears up a heck lot of space in the Departure Hall and the entire place looks neater...

Emm....must check that out after I get hold of my cam......:yes:

i saw the departure hall today and itlooks the same leh

i saw the departure hall today and itlooks the same leh

Which terminal??

terminal 2. i went up to the departure hall just to take a look for you all.. budden got nothing new. the arrival hall is a little different.

No wonder, the terminal which looks different is T1, they only implement the new system in T2 early next year.......

OCT 5, 2004

RETAIL BOOM
Airport sales of electronic goods up 20%
More space being offered to retailers of consumer electronics

CHANGI Airport is giving Sim Lim Square and Funan - The IT Mall a run for their money as a place that offers good deals in consumer electronics.

Sales of electronics and IT products at the airport rose 20 per cent between January and August, compared to the same period last year when Sars struck, and increased 15 per cent over 2002, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).

To cater to this growing demand, the airport has offered more retail space in Terminals 1 and 2 for consumer electronics retailers.

It also opened a facility recently for the IT savvy at Terminal 2's transit area. Called iConnect, this includes six live game stations for Xbox users and 30 Internet terminals with free voice and video-chat capabilities.

And this year's third annual Digital Connection fair, which is now on at Terminal 2 until Oct 24, is bigger than before.

Among the offers at the event are Panasonic's DMC-LC50 digital camera, going for $380, down from its usual price of $459, and the PalmOne Treo 600 Smartphone for $888, down from its usual price of $988.

Vendors' services also include arranging for purchases to be shipped abroad and storing items for buyers.

The consumer electronics sector yielded the third highest concession takings among the airport's retail and food and beverage outlets. Concession takings include commissions from vendors and retailers.

The sector's takings follow traditionally high takings in liquor and tobacco, which hold top place, followed by perfumes and cosmetics, said CAAS.

The top spenders are from Australia and Europe, who account for half the amount spent at the airport's eight IT outlets, said CAAS.

It declined to reveal total sales figures of all sectors at the airport, saying only that consumer electronics made up 15 per cent of this last year, up from 12 per cent in 2002.

Total earnings from the airport's food and beverage and retail outlets amounted to $292 million for the last financial year ending this March.

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

No wonder, the terminal which looks different is T1, they only implement the new system in T2 early next year.......
Strange....isnt the main change in T2 rather then T1??

Strange....isnt the main change in T2 rather then T1??

T1 also changing.......albeit at a slower rate........ :cheers:

We shall see more changes once they start renovating T1........I wonder whats the design this time?? Another glassy box??

Business Times - 08 Oct 2004

Entertainment logistics emerging in S'pore

Surge in shows and concerts open up niche business for freight forwarders

By JEAN CHUA

(SINGAPORE) With the concert industry growing rapidly in Asia, more opportunities are emerging for the 'entertainment logistics' business here, say logistics executives.

Freight forwarders in Singapore are working hard at differentiating themselves and developing this niche, driven by the surge in the number of entertainers coming this way.

GAC Logistics is one such company and the one behind ensuring last night's Alicia Keys show.

'Bands and performers are a very different clientele,' GAC's sales and marketing manager Kenneth Bybjerg told BT in an interview. 'It may seem that every one who can move a box from A to B can do entertainment logistics, but that's not true,' he said.

'We have been doing entertainment logistics for about six years and find that building relationships and good communications with the production manager and concert promoter are important factors that help ensure things go smoothly,' he said, explaining how the company has been working hard towards becoming the top entertainment logistics firm in Asia.

The international logistics company moved in 8.6 tonnes of musical instruments, electric accessories, sound mixers, stage set-ups, props, costumes and a production/mobile office into Singapore on Wednesday. Last night, the moment the show was over, a GAC team moved in and within hours the show was on the road again.

GAC Logistics is the freight forwarding division of Gulf Agency Company, which also has shipping and marine services. Entertainment logistics contributes about 8-10 per cent of GAC Logistics' operating income in Singapore.

GAC, which has a large Singapore-based operation, clinched the logistics contract for the piano-playing R&B diva's current Asian tour. For Keys' shows, GAC will have to move equipment and other stores to Beijing, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Manila, Bangkok and Seoul - all in 10 days.

This year, GAC has taken care of equipment and merchandise for TOTO, David Bowie, Deep Purple, The Cooking Show, the Singapore National Day Parade, Sammi Cheng and Scorpions. 'The concert industry is growing rapidly in Asia,' said Mr Bybjerg. 'There are more concert venues, for example, in Singapore, and Asia is not so restrictive anymore. The region accounts for a fair bit of people, and musicians realise it's important to play here.'

'We expect to grow together with the industry.' he said.

A concert can involve as much as 30 tons of equipment, like in The Rollings Stones' Licks World Tour last year, and of crucial importance is coordination between the different destinations and contingency planning, said Mr Bybjerg.

The Stones chartered a Boeing 747 plane for their equipment last year.

'We don't just move the cargo from one place to another,' said Ronnie Soon, GAC's project manager for logistics services. 'We get the band's schedule two to three months ahead of time and we have to coordinate with our offices in every location, prepare, organise, find the best options, propose and suggest.'

For each show, GAC is involved from the beginning, the planning phase, to the advising phase. GAC advises tour promoters and production managers on the best options to transport the equipment.

The company's team of 10 in charge of entertainment logistics has also to become experts in the customs clearance procedures and regulatory environment of the Asian countries.

Because there is often only a window of several hours after a show to pack up and move to the next destination, timing is crucial.

GAC had to be quick to react last year when the Hong Kong show of The Rolling Stones concert was cancelled because of the Sars outbreak. The company had to inform their personnel on the ground several hours before the B747 was due to take off that the show was a 'no go'. Similarly, the Bangkok show was cancelled because the plane at the previous location, Mumbai, was delayed by a ground accident and the band could not get there on time, said Mr Soon.

'The Jakarta show was cancelled because of the recent bombing and we have to make contingency plans for things like that,' said Mr Soon.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 09 Oct 2004

Airport showcases Made in S'pore goods

THE next time you are catching a flight from Changi Airport Terminal 2, don't be surprised to see picture displays of products on giant panels in the departure/transit lounge.

Advertisements they are not. They are actually exhibits in the 'Made in Singapore Gallery' - launched yesterday by Heng Chee How, Minister of State for Trade & Industry.

The Gallery@Changi showcases a range of global brand name products that are made in Singapore, from popular consumer products to high-end industrial components, by local and international companies.

It is another initiative under the Economic Development Board's (EDB) Made in Singapore programme to reinforce Singapore's position as an attractive global manufacturing location.

'We expect this Gallery to be an effective communication platform as there are some 25 million passengers from all over the world that pass through Changi airport each year, all of whom are investors or consumers,' said EDB managing director Ko Kheng Hwa.

Mr Ko also said that since these visitors do not get a chance to visit the factories here, there is a need to showcase the products that are made here.

'Hopefully, when the visitors buy these great products in their home country, they'll know that the products were made in Singapore. And the next time they see a made-in-Singapore product, they can be assured of the quality,' he added.

In the long run, consumers will have a high regard for products made here and manufacturers will know these products carry a premium, said Mr Ko.

'This will make Singapore a more attractive location for manufacturing. The next time manufacturers are considering building a new plant, they will think of Singapore.'

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Jesus....that sound so...erm...duh! :lol: So are they going to display hard disks, oil rigs, and refrigerator compressors? :D

October 14, 2004

Bond pulls in crowd at Changi

By Zubaidah Nazeer

A TOUCH of glamour hit Changi Airport yesterday in the form of four scantily-clad women - also known as Bond.

http://www.streats.com.sg/article/data/images/es041014b.jpg

As soon as concert organiser LAMC's Laurrieta Alaabons asked the contemporary-classical group to pose on stage for a meet-and-greet session, fans and travellers went berserk.

They whipped out cameras and camera phones and one was even seen video-taping the moment.

Hardly surprising. After all, the British lasses, often dubbed the Classical Spice Girls, are not just talented musically.

Dressed in tight jeans and revealing tops, they were a fetching sight.

Haylie Ecker, 27, who plays first violin; Eos Chater, 28, who plays second violin; Tania Davis, 28, who plays the viola; and Gay-Yee Westerhoff, 29, who plays the cello, forced some to have to rush to make their flights.

One of them was Australian Mark Nussbaum, 36, who was heading to Bali.

The professional photographer, who owns all three Bond albums, including the latest, Classified, told Streats that he had queued up overnight to get fourth-row tickets to the girls' concert in Melbourne.

He said: "Look at them. They are gorgeous... And their music sounds good, too."

In the brief 20 minutes that the girls appeared for, they sold about 50 copies of their latest album, which they autographed for fans.

When asked about whether it concerns them that their image is getting more attention than their music, Davis said: "We've been musicians since we were small. We're beyond image now."

The girls, who will appear in the second leg of their world tour tonight, had clearly had a frenzied day, which started at 8am with a TV morning-show interview.

Said Davis: "I feel (that) a massage, which I haven't had for a few months now, would be the best thing that can happen now!"

Copyright © Singapore Press Holdings, 2004. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 14 Oct 2004

DHL unveils worldwide medical express for life sciences industry

SINGAPORE - DHL, the world's leading express and logistics company has unveiled its Worldwide Medical Express (WMX) logistics solution in Singapore specifically designed to meet the needs of the life sciences industry.

WMX is targetted at the clinical trial community in Singapore, which entails temperature-controlled transportation of biological samples and diagnostic specimens between central laboratories, medical investigators, pharmaceutical and biomedical companies in the course of such trials.

DHL's WMX solution offers cutting-edge, validated packaging for clinical trials shipments via the use of an environmentally friendly, modular packaging system.

This unique packaging system eliminates the added cost and hassle of having to replenish cooling mediums in transit.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

http://www.ttgasia.com/ttg-awards/pic/top-header2.gif

HALL OF FAME**

Best Airport - Singapore Changi Airport
Best Airline - Singapore Airlines

** Organisations with Travel Hall of Fame status will not be voted on again. Votes received for them will not be counted. They will be recognised at every annual awards presentation ceremony.

=============================


Wow......I wonder how many times did Changi and SIA got the award(to be induced into the hall of fame)??? :eek:

OCT 17, 2004
KL-S'pore open-skies policy will take a few years, says minister
KUALA LUMPUR

THE much-awaited 'open skies' agreement with Singapore will take a few years to materialise, according to Malaysian Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy.

It is unlikely to happen immediately, he said, as the two countries would take some time to enhance their air services before they decide to totally throw open the air traffic between them.

Asean countries have agreed that restrictions on the number of flights that airlines can operate between capitals will be lifted by 2008 as part of a move towards a limited open-skies framework by 2015.

Datuk Seri Chan said in an interview with Bernama, however, that the routes could be opened up without having to adhere strictly to the timeframe. 'It would be a gradual process...maybe a few years.

'At this level, we are more geared towards enhancing air services, which would eventually lead to the open-skies policy.'

As to the question of when this would happen, he said: 'We leave it open. Let us discuss first, but ultimately, it would lead to the open-skies policy.'

The Malaysian government is willing to review the bilateral air services agreement, he said. The last time the 32-year-old agreement was reviewed was in 1980.

The pact gives Malaysia Airlines (MAS) and Singapore Airlines (SIA) a virtual monopoly over flights between Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

This has resulted in the emergence of restricted competition on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore sector, leading to both MAS and SIA operating eight out of 10 flights a day or 154 out of the 184 flights a week.

That situation may change. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Malaysian counterpart Abdullah Ahmad Badawi earlier this month expressed interest in opening up the routes to boost tourism and business traffic.

A meeting between Singapore Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong and Datuk Seri Chan is in the offing.

Datuk Seri Chan said: 'It has been quite a few years since we talked to Singapore on cooperation on the aviation sector. It is good that we have now started to talk again.'

Noting that the number of flights in the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore sector had fallen behind other sectors, Mr Yeo had said recently that the talks on expanding the air links were 'long overdue, and there was much catching up to do'.

Datuk Seri Chan said he believed more air links would ultimately lead to an open-skies policy without jeopardising the local aviation industry.

'I think we are not talking about the interest of our airlines, but more so on national interest. It (the policy) can facilitate more trade, tourism and other sectors.'

The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route has been considered one of the Asia's most protected and fourth busiest. More traffic rights on the route are expected to lead to a drastic fall in fares. \-- Bernama

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 17 October 2004 1606 hrs

Changi Airport woos IT shoppers with digital fair for travellers
By Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : When it comes to buying laptops or digital cameras, many locals and tourists head for Sim Lim Square or Funan Centre. But now Changi Airport also wants to be known as an IT shopping haven.

The airport's digital fair for travellers is on till 24 October.

Digital cameras, laptops, and MP3 players are some of the favourite buys among travellers passing through Changi Airport.

And this month, shoppers are in for a treat.

At the airport's IT fair, retailers at the terminals will compete with downtown shops by offering more freebies.

IT and consumer electronic goods are the third most popular items at Changi Airport, after liquor & tabacco, and perfumes & cosmetics.

In fact, IT-related sales at Changi Airport were up 20 percent in the first eight months of this year, compared to last year, and Australian and European travellers make up half of the sales.

The airport says this is because shops at its terminals offer international warranties and there is no goods and service tax.

"Sometimes it's cheaper at the airport, especially (compared to) some countries where you have to pay the tax for it," said one traveller.

"I'm looking at cameras, digital cameras, but compared to the price in America, it's very expensive," another said.

But others still prefer to go downtown if they had the time.

"I think I would go to the town -- more shops. Friends told me you can go to shops and the prices are not the same. But we can't go to the town because we are here two hours," said one shopper.

Jeffrey Loke, senior commercial manager at CAAS, said, "We have some requests from websites as well as passengers who just e-mail us to ask for the latest phones or the latest MP3 players because most of these tend not to be available at their country, or are out of stock or they don't have the colour they want."

For those who do not want to buy anything there are also six Xbox Live game stations and 30 Internet terminals at Terminal 2. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

This story was printed from TODAYonline

In transit? Try iConnect

Changi travellers now get free Internet, chat and video games

Tuesday • October 19, 2004

Seah Siew Hua
siewhua@newstoday.com.sg

Besides losing themselves in the myriad of duty-free shops, travellers at Changi Airport now have a cost-free means to pass time.

Homesick travellers will be able see and speak to their friends and family using webcams, while business travellers will no longer have to suffer withdrawal symptoms from the lack of Internet access during long-haul flights.

Last month, the Internet-based iConnect facility was added to the airport's Terminal 2 departure lounge. This is in addition to the existing 200 Internet-enabled PCs in terminals 1 and 2.

Spanning 250 sq metres, this entertainment and business centre contains six Xbox Live gaming consoles, 30 PCs and 10 flatscreen television sets and 15 connection points that boast LAN and dial-up points.

One exceptional feature of this facility is the ability to carry out online conversations via the microphone and webcam attached to each PC terminal.

Using online messaging applications from MSN or Yahoo!, users can take part in real-time video-enhanced conversations with their friends, family and co-workers. CAAS' airport manager, Mr Kenneth Lo, said: "We are possibly one of the first few airports in Asia that offers webcam facilities."

In addition to Web conference applications, the Interactive Content engine on the PCs lets users view music videos and watch news channels such as CNN and BBC by queuing their requests and having them screened on one of the 10 flatscreens.

The game zone, made possible through a partnership with Microsoft, features six Xbox Live game consoles that are very popular with children and teens. Players can pit themselves against other players online on Xbox's latest games such as Soul Calibur II, Splinter Cell, Shrek 2, Project Gotham Racing 2 and Crimson Skies. These games will be updated regularly.

The area is most crowded during morning and evening peak hours, with all the game consoles and PC terminals being occupied. Since iConnect's inception, the PC terminals have chalked up more than 40,000 log-ins. Australian traveller Sue O'Donoghue, who was in transit to India, said: "We have used it a couple of times. It's fantastic and it's free."

Feedback from users has been largely positive and enthusiastic; the only inconvenience that users seemed to mind was the 15-minute time limit for each log-in.

iConnect, together with the rest of the upgrading works in Terminal 2, adds up to about 2,800 square metres worth of new facilities, including food outlets, retails shops and a foot reflexology centre.

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

19 October 2004


Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 1

Departures Board
© Ignoramus
http://img92.exs.cx/img92/1540/DSC02482.jpg

Viewing Mall
© Ignoramus
http://img10.exs.cx/img10/5594/DSC02484.jpg

Valuair A320
© Ignoramus
http://img91.exs.cx/img91/9206/DSC02485.jpg

Tiger Airways A320
© Ignoramus
http://img26.exs.cx/img26/2028/DSC02487.jpg

Star Alliance Singapore Airlines Plane
© Ignoramus
http://img49.exs.cx/img49/8079/DSC02488.jpg

© Ignoramus
http://img9.exs.cx/img9/3085/DSC02486.jpg

Check In Counters
© Ignoramus
http://img8.exs.cx/img8/3278/DSC02489.jpg

Drop Off Point View
© Ignoramus
http://img94.exs.cx/img94/2683/DSC02490.jpg

Drop Off Point
© Ignoramus
http://img24.exs.cx/img24/5097/DSC02491.jpg

Departure Hall
© Ignoramus
http://img26.exs.cx/img26/3355/DSC02492.jpg

Picture by ignoramus
http://img26.exs.cx/img26/2028/DSC02487.jpg

Wah the tiger airways plane seems to be parking at the same bay all this while.......:eek:

Compared with the picture I took on the 9/10/04.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/Airport/DSCN31701.jpg

New photos have been added since you last posted.

Picture by ignoramus
http://img26.exs.cx/img26/2028/DSC02487.jpg

Wah the tiger airways plane seems to be parking at the same bay all this while.......:eek:

Compared with the picture I took on the 9/10/04.....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v222/ylstan03/Airport/DSCN31701.jpg

They are different planes... Note the different serial numbers near the tail end. That must be the Tiger Airways Gate.

They are different planes... Note the different serial numbers near the tail end. That must be the Tiger Airways Gate.

Hmm.....thats interesting......:yes: Almost like VIPs.....but seem like all airlines stick to the same gates, right??

Oct 20, 2004
Open skies the way to go for Singapore and KL
Both sides risk losing out to cheaper cities in region if they shackle air travel
By Karamjit Kaur

A RETURN ticket between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur costs $304, whether you fly Singapore Airlines or Malaysia Airways.

In this era of budget airlines, it is at best an anachronism, at worst, daylight robbery.

All that could change, though, now that prime ministers Lee Hsien Loong of Singapore and Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia are thinking of revising the 32-year-old bilateral air service agreement and opening the route to competition.

While this poses a challenge to SIA and MAS, it is also expected to boost the economies of both countries by generating more tourism and business traffic.

With such evident benefits, it's reasonable to wonder why it has taken so long for a concrete move to be made on the issue.

The answer lies in the nature of air service agreements and the need to protect the bottom line of airlines and airports. In the case of Singapore and Malaysia, these already complex considerations are compounded by historical and political rivalries.

Securing the rights for an airline to fly to a foreign country is the end-result of delicate manoeuvring, with one eye on the commercial interests of the country's carrier(s) and the other on the spin-off benefits that increased traffic brings to the country and its airport.

After more than two decades, SIA is still eyeing the lucrative Australia-US route and negotiations are continuing for Singapore-based carriers to gain more access to India and China.

For Singapore, the big prize is open skies: The right for its airlines to fly as many times as they choose to any point in the target country and, from there, secure 'beyond rights' to fly to a third country. It is a prize rarely won.

Of the more than 90 air agreements Singapore has signed so far, only eight, including those with the US and New Zealand, provide for open skies. The rest restrict the number of destinations to which Singapore-based carriers can fly, how many flights they can operate and how many passengers they can carry.

Because countries may have several airlines and not all may want to fly to the same points, every air service agreement also includes the names of the designated carrier or carriers.

Governments are usually cautious about dishing out air rights, because their airlines may end up losing traffic and revenue. For example, if SIA is allowed to operate a Sydney-Los Angeles service, Qantas Airways, which has a virtual monopoly on the route, would suffer.

Fifth freedom rights, which allow an airline like SIA to pick up passengers from one foreign country and offload them in another foreign country, are particularly difficult to secure.

While air agreements do not usually require the consent of national carriers, it is common procedure for governments to consult their airlines before deals are sealed, and in countries where major airlines have a lot of clout, their interests often come before those of the country as a whole.

For Singapore, which wants Changi Airport to become the region's busiest, the more carriers that fly here, the better. Other countries in the region, though, which have similar ambitions for their own airports, may not want their own carriers to feed Singapore too many services. The thinking is: Why give Changi the business?

For a small country like Singapore, it is usually a case of give more and take less, and the strategy seems to have worked so far.

As one industry veteran put it: 'Air talks are difficult enough but when it comes to Singapore and Malaysia, they become even more difficult because there is so much historical baggage.

'Add to it the political dimension and the proximity of the two countries and you have quite a challenge.'

When Malayan Airlines split into SIA and MAS in 1972, it was agreed that the Malaysians would take over the domestic market while SIA focused on international routes. As a result, the Malaysian government had little incentive to give SIA the rights to fly to Malaysia because it had nothing to gain in return.

For a long time, air travel between the two countries was just Singapore-KL. The deal was: 'You fly to one point in my country and I fly to one point in yours.'

In 1980, that changed.

After eight rounds of talks over almost three years, both sides agreed to have bigger aircraft ply the route, and with increasing frequency. MAS was also allowed to operate flights to Singapore from Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in East Malaysia. SIA was given access to Penang, but not the other two cities.

It is believed that Malaysian fears of closer ties between predominantly Chinese Singapore and East Malaysia were behind this slightly imbalanced agreement.

The close proximity of Changi and Kuala Lumpur - flying time is a mere 45 minutes - poses other problems.

The closer the competitor, the greater the probability that an outside airline will bypass one in favour of the other, to avoid overlapping services.

Where the growth of one airport can be at the expense of another, it invariably poses a problem.

Against such a complex backdrop, SIA and MAS chose to focus on building their own international networks instead. Besides, with so much money to be made in long-haul sectors, there was little incentive for either airline to push their governments into a more open agreement.

In fact, both SIA and MAS have nothing much to gain and quite a bit to lose if other airlines, especially the new budget carriers, enter the market. On short flights such as Singapore-KL, passengers are likely to care only about the fare.

Indeed, it's possible that if air links are expanded, MAS and SIA may even withdraw from the Singapore-Malaysia market altogether. And with little harm done to either. If this is the case, then both governments know they can approach the issue with less at stake.

There is another, possibly more important, reason.

It is clearly not in the interests of either Singapore or Malaysia to have traffic diverted to other cities like Bangkok, Jakarta and Hong Kong, where air fares are much lower. Rather than watch each other like hawks, both sides seem to be realising that, even if one side has to lose out, in the long term there is much more to gain by promoting Singapore-Malaysia air travel than shackling it.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Business Times - 20 Oct 2004

Changi Airport's Sept passenger,cargo volumes up

SINGAPORE - Air cargo and passenger volumes at Singapore Changi Airport continued their steady climbs in September.

Changi Airport has handled over 1.3 million tonnes of airfreight in the first nine months of this year, chalking an 11.5 per cent jump from the corresponding period a year ago and an 8.5 per cent hike from January to September 2002.

The Airport handled 155,802 tonnes of airfreight last month, the third time this year that monthly air cargo volume has crossed the 150,000-tonne mark.

Changi Airport processed 156,032 tonnes of air cargo in March 2004 and 151,494 tonnes of air cargo in July 2004.

Before these peaks, airfreight volume had hit a record high of 150,641 tonnes in October 2003.

The airfreight volume of 155,802 tonnes in September 2004 represents a 10.2 per cent increase from a year ago, and a 12.2 per cent rise from September 2002.

In all, The upward trend of air cargo volume at Changi Airport is in line with the general economic recovery of Singapore this year.

Growth was broad-based, with strong demand especially from the Chinese and Indian markets.

Changi Airport was ranked 4th busiest air cargo hub in Asia last year, with 1.61 million tonnes of airfreight traffic processed here.

Meanwhile, passenger traffic at Changi Airport also rose last month to 2.44 million passengers.

This is an 8.8 per cent from September 2003 and 4.1 per cent stronger than September 2002's number.

Besides seeing an increase in traffic, Changi Airport has also increased its haul of international awards with the addition of three awards in the first two weeks of October.

The first was presented by international periodical, TIME, on 6 October 2004.

Changi Airport topped the list as Favourite Asian Airport, ahead of Hong Kong's Chek Lap Kok and Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport in the 4th Annual TIME Readers' Choice Travel Awards.

Nearly 2,500 TIME readers across the region cast their votes in the yearly survey and some 70 per cent of them chose Changi Airport.

Changi Airport has emerged in the top spot since the annual awards were launched in 2001.

Changi Airport received its second international recognition in the month of October at the annual Telegraph Travel Awards ceremony held on 11 October 2004 in London.

Readers of UK newspapers, The Daily Telegraph & The Sunday Telegraph, singled out Changi Airport for the 'Best International Airport' award.

This marked the seventh year that Changi Airport is receiving this award.

On 12 October in Bangkok, Changi Airport collected the 'Hall of Fame' Airport award from Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Asia, a travel industry publication in the Asia-Pacific.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Oct 21, 2004
Passenger flow up

THE number of passengers going through Changi Airport continues to swell.

Last month, it saw 2.44 million, bringing the total for the first nine months of the year to 22.1 million.

This is more than the record 21.5 million it serviced from January to September 2002, which was a bumper year.

If the pace of traffic continues, the final passenger tally will easily top 30 million by year-end, the highest in the airport's history.

Changi also handled 155,802 tonnes of air cargo last month, up 10.2 per cent from a year earlier and 12.2 per cent compared to September 2002.

In a statement yesterday, a spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore said: 'The upward trend in cargo volume is in line with the general economic recovery of Singapore this year.

'Growth was broad-based, with strong demand especially from the Chinese and Indian markets.'

Last year, the airport was ranked the fourth busiest air cargo hub in Asia, with 1.61 million tonnes processed.

Despite the good show, Changi continues to battle with other regional airports - in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong - to maintain and grow its status as the premier air hub in the region.

To keep pace with the competition and attract visitors, improvements are continuously being made.

Terminal 2 is now being upgraded, while work on Terminal 1 will start soon.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

The new skyplex lounge.............

http://webadmin.caas.gov.sg/Changi/Features/Images/header.jpg

The Skyplex Entertainment Lounge brings you the finest in chic design, cutting-edge technology, and a variety of programming from around the world -- a visual feast unfolding on more than 24 plasma and LCD screens. The Skyplex rises from comfortable designer seating and screen clusters to a 3-by-4-metre Big Screen showing the world's hottest programming, and to a "Sky" of beautifully illuminated pillars and ceiling strips. Throughout the lounge are innovative technologies sponsored by Panasonic -- high-definition TV screens, Finite Listening Zone acoustics delivering a discreet zone of pure sound, unique internet surfing platforms, and a "World of Ideas" interactive display wall with live viewcam footage from cities around the world.

http://webadmin.caas.gov.sg/Changi/Features/Images/skyplex1.jpg

The lounge's many screens play a feast of different cable and terrestrial TV content, showcasing the day's hottest programming and events worldwide -- from sports and entertainment to key breaking news stories. In all ways, the Skyplex brings together for you a world of relaxation and entertainment.

http://webadmin.caas.gov.sg/Changi/Features/Images/skyplex2.jpg

huh how are you supposed to watch with so many screens?? what do you watch anyway? and how do you hear?

huh how are you supposed to watch with so many screens?? what do you watch anyway? and how do you hear?

I suppose it has a headphone or something........not sure how it works....perhaps those who frequent the airport could enlighten us....:yes:

where is it? i'll go have a look when i come back in november if i can find it..

Didn't you all watch the news the other time...

Step 1: Choose which tv you want to watch.
Step 2: Sit at the chair in front of the tv you want to watch. Thats that... The sound from the nearby tv sets wont disturb you as it uses some high tech audio equipment which ensures that only the person sitting at that seat hear the sound from that specific television set. No headsets or anything required...

is it one chair per tv?

For every television tuned into a specific channel, there is cluster of designer seating in front of it. Each of the seats in this cluster receive sound from this television set only.

Didn't you all watch the news the other time...

Step 1: Choose which tv you want to watch.
Step 2: Sit at the chair in front of the tv you want to watch. Thats that... The sound from the nearby tv sets wont disturb you as it uses some high tech audio equipment which ensures that only the person sitting at that seat hear the sound from that specific television set. No headsets or anything required...
How come I smell creative tech. in that paragraph? :D

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 25 October 2004 1924 hrs

BAX Global to open S$48m regional logistics mega-hub in Singapore
By Chan Hwa Loon, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : International logistics firm Bax Global will open its S$48 million regional mega-hub in Singapore at the end of next year.

It will become the largest occupant in the Airport Logistics Park of Singapore.

The company's warehouse capacity will then be boosted to more than a million square feet.

It currently has two purpose-built facilities at Changi Business Park.

Construction of the new four-storey complex at the Airport Logistics Park will start soon.

Besides providing logistics services, Bax will also explore the possibility of providing repair and light assembly work within the complex. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

Sterling Hostipal may join Singapore Airlines for meditourism

Commenting on the advantages of the package, Dhavan said, ‘‘We are providing stay and airfare at half the price along with pre and post-surgery checkup.’’

Sterling Hospital has tied up with Hotel Cama and Shanku’s Water Park and final talks are on with the airlines. Dhavan said, ‘‘We may tie up with Singapore Airlines as it halts at Ahmedabad.’’

Generally NRGs visit India between October and February every year so that they can participate in various festivals like Navratri, Diwali, Uttarayan and attend weddings too. And NRIs come to India during the same time to spend their winter vacation here.

Apollo Hospital has tied up with Airport Authority of India to provide medical services for domestic as well as international airlines customers, who land at the airport or board flights from Ahmedabad airport.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=104333

Oh...that articles could have been posted in the Singapore Airlines thread instead, but nvm. :D Quite interesting to see that a possible tie up is considered thanks to SIA flying there!

Business Times - 27 Oct 2004

Jackspeed wins AirAsia job

The Malaysian budget carrier has awarded the S'pore listed company its first commercial aircraft refurbishment contract, reports SAMUEL EE

JACKSPEED Corporation Ltd is taking off with AirAsia after the Malaysian budget carrier awarded the listed company its first commercial aircraft refurbishment contract.

Jackspeed said yesterday evening that its Malaysian subsidiary, Jackspeed Industries Sdn Bhd, will make and supply leather seat covers and seat cushions for AirAsia's Boeing 737-300. The aeroplane has about 150 seats.

'We will begin fabricating the seat covers and carpeting with a few aircraft in December,' said Jackspeed group chairman and CEO Jackson Liew. He added that Jackspeed has also secured 'authorised vendor' status from the airline to provide leather seat covers, aircraft interior refurbishment and aircraft seat cushions.

Mr Liew told The Business Times that the contract marks his company's first entry into the Asian commercial aviation market. He explained that Jackspeed had pushed to expand its aviation business to a regional level and set up operations in countries such as Malaysia and Thailand. The plan is to work with regional airline operators to offer on-time delivery to them in their home countries.

'As AirAsia's awards to Jackspeed include not just leather aircraft seats but also other aircraft interiors, such as seat covers and carpets along the aircraft walkway, it is a vital acknowledgement of Jackspeed's niche expertise in aviation upholstery and is expected to propel Jackspeed's future growth in the aviation sector,' he said.

Jackspeed is already well-known for its manufacture of custom-fitted automotive leather trim for car seats. It also provides leather wrapping of other car interior products, such as steering wheels, consoles and gear knobs. But the company moved into the aviation sector in a bid to tap the growing maintenance, repairs and overhaul (MRO) business.

Since May last year, its wholly-owned subsidiary Jackspeed Aviation and Marine Pte Ltd has provided interior refurbishment services to nine helicopters and nine private aeroplanes. Work on these mainly corporate aircraft from around the region includes cleaning services, and changing the leather and carpet surfaces. Jackspeed also offers its specialty - customised seat design.

Singapore is an authorised service centre for Eurocopter-made craft and a job on a chopper such as the AS365 Dauphin type of helicopter, Ekovest or Super Puma, may range from $10,000 to $50,000 depending on customer requirements regarding design and materials used.

On the other hand, work for private aeroplanes such as the Lear Jet and the bigger Kingair series, which has anything from six seats to 19, costs between $25,000 and $100,000.

Last month, Jackspeed Aviation and Marine was appointed a 'preferred partner' of Hawker Pacific Asia Pte Ltd and an 'approved vendor' by ST Aerospace Engineering Pte Ltd. ST Aerospace itself has been called one of the most aggressive MRO players in the world in a global market worth US$38 billion.

In Singapore, the source estimated the interior refurbishment market to be worth up to $1.5 million a year.

Jackspeed registered net group profit of $1.98 million in the previous financial year. But yesterday's contract will not have any material impact on the company's earnings per share and net tangible assets per share for the current financial year ending February 2005.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, the republic is one of the most comprehensive aerospace MRO hubs in Asia-Pacific. There is a huge market given the high volume of air traffic passing through Changi airport and the region and the government wants to develop Singapore into a one-stop global aerospace repair and manufacturing hub to support the industry's needs. With more than 100 aerospace companies here, the aerospace industry registered an output of $3.8 billion in 2003.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

India's Jet Airways to fly here daily

29 Oct 04

By Ravi Velloor
India Bureau Chief
In New Delhi

SINGAPORE travellers to India will have a wider choice of airlines from April when Mumbai-based Jet Airways, India's No. 1 domestic carrier, begins three daily flights to the island.

Jet, which has a 46 per cent market share that puts it ahead of Indian Airlines, will fly to Singapore daily from New Delhi, Chennai and Mumbai, said airline vice-president Nandini Verma.

While the Singapore-Mumbai flight will be an early day operation, the New Delhi and Chennai services will be afternoon or evening flights, she said.

'Our prices will be competitive with Singapore Airlines and more expensive than Air-India's,' Ms Verma told The Straits Times.

India's private airlines are being gradually allowed to expand into overseas routes, the turf traditionally reserved for state-run carriers Indian Airlines and Air-India. Jet and rival Sahara Airlines now have permission to fly to South Asian capitals such as Kathmandu and Colombo.

The Indian government is poised to permit the private carriers to fly to South-east Asian capitals as part of a commitment made last year by then-prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to open up India's skies to airlines from South-east Asia.

Jet, which operates 260 flights to 44 destinations, plans to start flying to Singapore with 737-800 type aircraft. By the end of next year, it expects to take delivery of wide-bodied aircraft, probably the Boeing 777 Extended Range.

The airline will have 16 business class and 124 economy class seats on its initial flights. Business class seats will have a pitch of 147cm, making it among the best in its class, Ms Verma said.

Nice to know that one of the first international destinations by Jet Airways is right here in Singapore! :D

Business Times - 29 Oct 2004

SCAE to sell stake in London Luton Airport Group

SINGAPORE - Singapore Changi Airport Enterprise Pte Ltd (SCAE) through Alterra Partners, its 50-50 joint venture with Bechtel Enterprise, will jointly sell its stake in London Luton Airport Group Limited to TBI plc.

The price tag?

$213.27 million cash and 14.9 million TBI plc shares valued at $32.6 million based on the mid-market price of TBI plc shares traded on the London Stock Exchange on Wednesday. SCAE and Bechtel Enterprise collectively owns 28.6 per cent of London Luton Airport Group Limited, which has a 30-year concession to operate London Luton Airport.

TBI owns the remaining shares of London Luton Airport Group Limited.

Mr Boon Swan Foo, Chairman of SCAE and Changi Airport Managers and Partners (CHAMPS) said Luton has seen tremendous growth and we have now reached a stage where we believe greater value can be unlocked through the injection of our stake in Luton into TBI.

He said this arrangement will benefit TBI in allowing them greater financial flexibility and SCAE will continue to benefit in any upside from our equity stake in TBI.

Mr Boon added that the proceeds from the deal would be deployed by Singapore Changi to pursue new investment opportunities in Asia, particularly in China and India.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 29 October 2004 1533 hrs

Qantas increases flights to Britain via Singapore and Hong Kong

SYDNEY: Qantas Airways said it will increase the number of flights from Australia to Britain with stopovers in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Qantas general manager John Borghetti said that from Sunday the airline would add an extra three flights a week on both the Perth-Singapore-London and Sydney-Hong Kong-London routes.

"These six new flights will increase the number of UK services offered by Qantas from 21 a week to 27 a week," Borghetti said. "This will mean nearly 2,300 more seats to London."

He said Qantas would add a fourth extra flight on the Sydney-Hong Kong-London route in 2005 and it had approval to operate a further three flights from April 2006.

"Hong Kong has been a popular Qantas destination in its own right for a long time and now it will also be available as a stopover destination to Europe," he said.

Qantas also announced a codeshare agreement with Air Frace which will see the Australian airline's customers connect with daily Air France flights in Singapore to reach Paris. - AFP

Copyright © 2004 Agence France Presse. All rights reserved.

Increasing the Perth-singapore-London flights just when Valueair is moving in? Interesting timing. :D

Increasing the Perth-singapore-London flights just when Valueair is moving in? Interesting timing. :D

Interesting timing for Changi also since it might help boost traffic.......:yes::D

Some pictures of Changi Terminal 1 construction........

http://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/airport_e/e_sin/pic_1.jpg

http://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/airport_e/e_sin/pic_2.jpg

http://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/airport_e/e_sin/108.jpg

http://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/airport_e/e_sin/109.jpg

Taken from this website......

http://www.takenaka.co.jp/takenaka_e/airport_e/e_sin/siindex.htm

2004 Releases

31 Oct 2004
From Russia, With Love
Seventh Airline To Operate To Changi Airport This Year Offers Direct Link To Moscow

Changi Airport is welcoming its seventh new airline for the year - Transaero Airlines from Russia. Transaero Airlines will fly once a week between Moscow and Singapore. The non-stop service also re-establishes a link between Changi Airport and the capital of Russia. With the arrival of Transaero Airlines, Changi Airport is now served by 73 airlines operating more than 3,600 flights to 172 cities in 54 countries.

Transaero's maiden flight to Singapore today was marked by a ceremony at Changi Airport attended by Mr Alexander Pleshakov, Chairman of Transaero Airlines; Mr Sergey B. Kiselev, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Singapore; Mr Michael Tay, Ambassador of Singapore to the Russian Federation; and Mr Ho Beng Huat, Acting Director-General, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.

"CAAS believes in working closely with its airline partners to create a conducive environment for them to grow and develop their business. With today's inaugural, I am confident that CAAS and Transaero will build a close working relationship, which will grow stronger in the years ahead", said Mr Ho.

The Transaero Airlines flight departs Moscow on Saturday and arrives in Singapore on Sunday at 1400 hours. It will depart Singapore on Sunday at 1540 hours and arrive in Moscow the same day.

The new service between Moscow and Changi Airport comes as businessmen on both sides signaled a readiness to step up bilateral business links. On 15 October 2004, Russia's biggest association of small and medium-sized enterprises (representing 25,000 business-owners) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Singapore Business Federation to pave the way for greater co-operation between the business communities in both countries.

Moscow is the capital of Russia and has been described as the most important business and political centre in Russia. Moscow is home to some 11 million people and is a city of famous historical landmarks, including the Kremlin, Red Square and St Basil's Cathedral.

Aside from Transaero Airlines, the airlines that started operations at Changi Airport this year are First Cambodia Airlines, Shandong Airlines, Austrian Airlines, Thai AirAsia, ValuAir and Tiger Airways.

http://www.changi.airport.com.sg/changi/press_release_content.jsp?DYNAMIC_FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9853823208128581&CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10135298184839456&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302024562&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181068&bmUID=1099235123134

uh.... i wonder who will take this airline... doesnt seem too comfortable for long haul.

Nov 2, 2004
Flights to Russia resumed

SINGAPORE'S air links to Russia were restored on Sunday, when a flight from Transaero Airlines touched down at Changi Airport.

The airline is the seventh new one to fly here this year.

Direct flights between the Republic and Moscow were suspended in March last year when Russian carrier Aeroflot withdrew its operations from Changi.

Transaero, one of Russia's largest airlines, also flies to Hong Kong and Taipei.

Its chairman, Mr Alexander Pleshakov, told reporters on Sunday that the carrier will introduce a flight between Singapore and St Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, some time next year.

It is also looking to increase the frequency of its Singapore-Moscow flights.

With the latest addition, Changi Airport is now served by 73 airlines operating more than 3,600 flights to 172 cities.

It recently retained its ranking as the second cheapest among the 11 airports in Asia, after Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

This was based on figures compiled by the International Air Transport Association, which compared the charges payable for a Boeing 747-400 with a three-hour turnaround.

It costs $3,726 in Changi, but $1,006 in Kuala Lumpur.

Third-ranked Bangkok charges $4,330.

Changi managed to attract 10 new airlines last year, and three the year before.

The new carriers this year include First Cambodia Airlines, Shandong Airlines and Austrian Airlines.

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.