[Charging Bull]

******Shabby White Elephant in the North*****

Seletar Airport headed for major upgrading
Area is currently home to some 30 companies in aviation industry


By VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) The Economic Development Board (EDB) will soon unveil plans to upgrade Seletar Airport and its affiliated facilities.



The redevelopment and upgrading of Seletar would be in line with the government's increasing emphasis on making Singapore a premier Asian aerospace and air services hub.
Industry insiders say that among the proposals being considered are plans to expand the Seletar base area into a second aerospace/aviation hub, rivalling the existing Changi Loyang and the Paya Lebar hubs.

Responding to calls from numerous users of Seletar Airport in recent years to upgrade the facilities amid increasing congestion and rising traffic, the EDB has been working with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority to come up with proposals for the redevelopment and upgrading of the area.

The proposals are believed to have been submitted to the Cabinet for approval last year.

Built during the colonial era as a British military airbase, Seletar Airport was taken over by the Singapore government in 1965, when Singapore gained independence. It was handed over to the CAAS in 1972.

Currently some 30 companies - including private air charterers, aircraft component suppliers, flying clubs, logistics and offshore supplies specialists as well as aircraft maintenance and repair (MRO) companies - occupy the airport and its affiliated facilities.

One of the largest companies is ST Aerospace, which services and maintains planes of clients such as AirAsia and Merpati.

Also present at Seletar are Australian aircraft maintenance firm Hawker Pacific and business jets MRO specialist Jet Aviation.

The CAAS oversees the tenants around the airport.

In recent years, many of these companies have indicated that they want to expand their presence at Seletar, but added that they would do so only if there were concrete long-term plans for the redevelopment and upgrading of the airport and the facilities affiliated with it.

However, some charter service operators BT spoke to suggested that the challenge facing Seletar goes beyond just ageing physical facilities and space constraints.

'We face congestion, not just on the ground but also in the skies because of flights heading to or originating from Senai (in Johor), Changi and even Kuala Lumpur,' said an expatriate pilot who works for a multinational air charter and supplies company based in Seletar. 'We happen to be smack centre of a very busy highway in the sky.'

Nevertheless, he conceded that the physical upgrading of the place, including existing facilities, would be a welcome development for an area which has remained somewhat of a sleepy hollow tucked away largely unnoticed on the north-eastern corner of Singapore.

The redevelopment and upgrading of Seletar would be in line with the government's increasing emphasis on making Singapore a premier Asian aerospace and air services hub.

Aerospace is one of the fastest growing industries here.

The industry had an output of $4.5 billion in 2004, accounting for 2.35 per cent of gross domestic product.

More than 30 SMEs are working alongside about 100 multinational companies within the aerospace industry, which employs some 14,000 people.

 

[RafflesCity]

Guess it wont be such a white elephant now...

 

[Charging Bull]

Might become "WHITER elephant" after upgrading :laugh:

 

[Charging Bull]

"Aeropolis" in the making?

Singapore to develop aerospace park at Seletar
By Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia


Singapore is to develop a new aerospace park at Seletar and that is expected to create 10,000 new jobs.

The park will also take Singapore's aerospace industry to greater heights.

The 140-hectare site will provide additional space for expansion, complementing aerospace activities at other parts of the island.

Soaring growth potential and strong demand for aviation-related services are just some reasons for the development of the new aerospace park.

The industry is in full flight, recording a S$5.2b worth of output last year, up 17 per cent from 2004.

And with Asia set to double its fleet of aircraft by 2015, Singapore is positioning itself to land a share of the market.

Ko Kheng Hwa, Managing Director of EDB, said: "We in Singapore are positioned strongly to ride on this growth. Today, we are Asia's number one aircraft maintenance, repairs, overhaul hub. The Seletar aerospace park will provide the land, the infrastructure with runway access for us to capture this growth opportunity in the next 10 to 15 years."

The new integrated aerospace industry cluster, to be ready in 8 years, will complement similar businesses located at Changi and Loyang.

The project will cost over S$60m to develop and it is expected to generate 10,000 new jobs, predominantly skilled and technical positions.

Its master plan will be completed this year, with development earmarked to begin early 2007.

JTC Corporation says it will work with various stakeholders to develop the master plan.

It will take into consideration land use pattern, industry needs as well as preservation of heritage sites and unique features in Seletar.

Chong Lit Cheong, CEO of JTC Corporation, said: "There are interesting features there - the old guard house that we go through, black and white bungalows. So in our master plan, we will certainly keep that in mind to see if we can integrate them into the plan. Some of them can be used as, for example, a wine bar - a simple amenities feature. It could be a signature feature entering the park as well."

The park will also house a regional aviation campus to roll out trained personnel to support the industry. - CNA/ir

 

[blizzardtweaker]

Might become "WHITER elephant" after upgrading :laugh:

well, if anything it means even lower building heights for us. we're probably the only country to have 3 airports so close together, other coutries would have probably connected all 3 together, but thats obviously not possible here.

i think that gov should demolish seletar n payar labar, move seletar airport to tuas extension, payar labar (military) to be beside changi (u noe on the new empty reclaimed land)

 

[Charging Bull]

ST Aerospace seen to gain from proposed aerospace park at Seletar
By Thomas Cho, Channel NewsAsia





ST Aerospace is seen benefiting from the proposal to develop Seletar into a new aerospace park.

Experts suggest it should expand its facilities there to specialise in repairing smaller aircraft.

ST Aerospace currently has three hangars at Seletar, where it maintains Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s for customers like AirAsia.

Brendan Sobie, Deputy Asia Editor for Flight International, said: "They may wish to consolidate their narrow-bodied aircraft maintenance business at Seletar. Right now, ST Aerospace have facilities at Paya Lebar and Changi and they wish to continue to use these facilities mainly for wide-bodied aircraft like Boeing 777, 747, Airbus A330, A340.

"But for narrow-bodied aircraft, which also have a lot of growth potential in Singapore, it is a good idea for Singapore, Singapore Technologies and other companies to focus narrow-bodied works at Seletar. This will free up space at the other airports for wide-bodied larger aircraft."

In fact, Seletar could become a hub for repairing and maintaining narrow-bodied aircraft.

Other aviation companies with existing offices in Loyang and Changi could also consider expanding in Seletar as there is plenty of room to grow.

Brendan Sobie said: "So this should be very positive for the business of aerospace in Singapore and for the companies that Singapore has successfully attracted, and to retain these companies and for these companies to be able to grow in Singapore instead of neighbouring countries."

The new 140-hectare aerospace park, which houses Seletar Airport, is also seen by some as perfect for the rich and famous to berth their private aircraft.

So if all goes according to plans, business could really take off. - CNA/ir

 

[babystan03]

10 May 2006

ST Aerospace seen to gain from proposed aerospace park at Seletar
By Thomas Cho, Channel NewsAsia

ST Aerospace is seen benefiting from the proposal to develop Seletar into a new aerospace park.

Experts suggest it should expand its facilities there to specialise in repairing smaller aircraft.

ST Aerospace currently has three hangars at Seletar, where it maintains Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s for customers like AirAsia.

Brendan Sobie, Deputy Asia Editor for Flight International, said: "They may wish to consolidate their narrow-bodied aircraft maintenance business at Seletar. Right now, ST Aerospace have facilities at Paya Lebar and Changi and they wish to continue to use these facilities mainly for wide-bodied aircraft like Boeing 777, 747, Airbus A330, A340.

"But for narrow-bodied aircraft, which also have a lot of growth potential in Singapore, it is a good idea for Singapore, Singapore Technologies and other companies to focus narrow-bodied works at Seletar. This will free up space at the other airports for wide-bodied larger aircraft."

In fact, Seletar could become a hub for repairing and maintaining narrow-bodied aircraft.

Other aviation companies with existing offices in Loyang and Changi could also consider expanding in Seletar as there is plenty of room to grow.

Brendan Sobie said: "So this should be very positive for the business of aerospace in Singapore and for the companies that Singapore has successfully attracted, and to retain these companies and for these companies to be able to grow in Singapore instead of neighbouring countries."

The new 140-hectare aerospace park, which houses Seletar Airport, is also seen by some as perfect for the rich and famous to berth their private aircraft.

So if all goes according to plans, business could really take off. - CNA/ir

Copyright © 2006 MCN International Pte Ltd

 

[Charging Bull]

well, if anything it means even lower building heights for us. we're probably the only country to have 3 airports so close together, other coutries would have probably connected all 3 together, but thats obviously not possible here.

i think that gov should demolish seletar n payar labar, move seletar airport to tuas extension, payar labar (military) to be beside changi (u noe on the new empty reclaimed land)

RSAF already have one airbase at Changi North. The sky here is really crowded:

4 Military Airbases:

1. Sembawang Airbase (for RSAF helicopters)
2. Tengah Airbase
3. Paya Lebar Airbase
4. Changi North Airbase

Commercial Airports:
1. Changi (for large and Wide bodied aircrafts)
2. Seletar (for small Luxury & narrow-bodied aircrafts ) - make sense, so that we keep this niche maintenance business and not driving them away to Johore Senai airport. Also most of the buget airlines are using Boeing 737 and Airbus narrow-bodied aircrafts .

 

[Charging Bull]

Really can't believe this miserable airport is in Singapore. Worst than some of the 3rd world countries airport that I have been to.
How can they sleep with this Colonial White Elephant for so many decades?


Bird's Eye View:

http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~ito-nori/birdseye/xsp.html

Detail:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seletar_Airport

 

[Charging Bull]

More report...

Seletar makeover to turn it into key aerospace hub

S'pore gears up to meet growth in sector and cater to firms crying out for space

By Karamjit Kaur
May 11, 2006
The Straits Times

THE sleepy surroundings of Seletar Airport will get a multi-million-dollar makeover as Singapore races to become the region's hub for aerospace activities like aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul.

The new Seletar Aerospace Park will open in several phases and when complete in nine years, will cover 140ha or the size of more than 100 football fields.

By 2018, it is expected to create 10,000 new jobs and contribute $3.3 billion annually to the economy. The expansion will cost about $60 million, excluding the cost of upgrading the airport.


Singapore's aerospace industry, with its approximately 100 companies and more than 15,000 workers, posted a record $5.2 billion in output - value of products generated - last year, up from $4.4 billion in 2004.

The decision to upgrade Seletar Airport and the surrounding area, which is home to about 30 aerospace companies, follows requests in the last few years for expansion and better facilities. The 77-year-old airport is managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and located within Seletar Camp, a former military air base.

At a press conference yesterday Economic Development Board managing director Ko Kheng Hwa stressed that the decision 'signifies the government's strong commitment to grow this industry'.

He said: 'We are prepared to put in the resources and the infrastructure. Now we need to send this signal far and wide because companies all over the world are looking at where to put their next facility.' They have plenty of choices, observers said. Senai Airport in Johor has ambitious plans and Dubai is pumping in billions to develop its aerospace industry.

Singapore has a quarter of the Asia-Pacific market for aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul and can use its edge to capture even more opportunities, particularly in research and development, Mr Ko said.

Asia is expected to double its fleet of aircraft by 2015 and strong demand is also expected for facilities to train pilots, engineers and other aviation professionals. The Seletar complex will include a regional aviation training campus, Mr Ko said. Other details will be ready later this year.

The airport's runway will likely be lengthened and its avionics systems upgraded to allow bigger aircraft to land and take off, said JTC Corporation chief executive officer Chong Lit Cheong. JTC is responsible for building the park's infrastructure.

It will not 'bring bulldozers in and flatten the land', Mr Chong said, adding that the team will consider how to retain the charm and heritage of the area, with its black and white colonial bungalows, old trees and open fields. Something to think about is whether the old, abandoned guard post at the entrance of Seletar Camp should be preserved, he said.

Seletar tenants, including Australian-based maintenance, repair and overhaul firm Hawker Pacific, are glad the government has decided to improve the facilities. The company's senior vice-president for Asia, Mr Rene Frandsen, said: 'Singapore is an excellent location for us to conduct the business that we are in and we prefer basing a significant amount of our new investments in Singapore.'

Tenants are also relieved. The government had considered moving them to a site near Changi Airport but decided against it. Mr Ko said: 'The primary consideration is that there is not enough land to meet the needs of the various competing users at Changi for us to fully capitalise on the growth that we expect in this industry in the next 10 to 15 years.'

 

[PJCCUK]

I hope they keep the colonial estate

it's one of the few areas that seems untouched, lots and lots of colonial houses set out as they were, with little development.

I even saw a GVI sign on a lampost!!!!!

by the way, GVI, is the sign for King George VI, so we're talking pre 1952.

 

[Charging Bull]

May be they should convert some of the black and white colonial bungalows into colonial theme restaurants that sell Colonial's foods and create a Singaporean version of Korean's TV show " 大长今- Jewel in the Palace" :hahaha: :hahaha:

 

[babystan03]

May be they should convert some of the black and white colonial bungalows into colonial theme restaurants that sell Colonial's foods and create a Singaporean version of Korean's TV show " 大长今- Jewel in the Palace" :hahaha: :hahaha:

Aiyo....:lol:

 

[PJCCUK]

well, I like the fact they remain mostly untouched anyway....

 

[DoorKeeper]

I hope they keep the colonial estate

it's one of the few areas that seems untouched, lots and lots of colonial houses set out as they were, with little development.

I even saw a GVI sign on a lampost!!!!!

by the way, GVI, is the sign for King George VI, so we're talking pre 1952.

A mini-London when you look at the road names... Maida Vale, Birdcage Walk ...

 

[blizzardtweaker]

RSAF already have one airbase at Changi North. The sky here is really crowded:

4 Military Airbases:

1. Sembawang Airbase (for RSAF helicopters)
2. Tengah Airbase
3. Paya Lebar Airbase
4. Changi North Airbase

Commercial Airports:
1. Changi (for large and Wide bodied aircrafts)
2. Seletar (for small Luxury & narrow-bodied aircrafts ) - make sense, so that we keep this niche maintenance business and not driving them away to Johore Senai airport. Also most of the buget airlines are using Boeing 737 and Airbus narrow-bodied aircrafts .

yeah, i understand the concept of not letting bussiness go into m'sia hands, but why cant they consolidate it at changi or tengah (both far away from the city)? besides, SG being so small y the need for sooo many airbase/ports, sembawang for heli n changi/changi north+tengah or even tuas (far away frm city) for planes sounds gd enough. seletar n payar labar are 2 potentially lucrative dev sites for better use, y waste them?

 

[149]

yeah, i understand the concept of not letting bussiness go into m'sia hands, but why cant they consolidate it at changi or tengah (both far away from the city)? besides, SG being so small y the need for sooo many airbase/ports, sembawang for heli n changi/changi north+tengah or even tuas (far away frm city) for planes sounds gd enough. seletar n payar labar are 2 potentially lucrative dev sites for better use, y waste them?

Its never a good idea to put all of your eggs in one basket, especially from a military standpoint. Having several airbases allows for simultaneous lanching of planes, makes it easier to plan defence strategies.

The air traffic around changi is already crowded as it is so you cant possibly consolidate paya lebar airbase with changi airbase. Imagine a fighter jet having to wait half an hour for takeoff, its a huge waste of money and resources. Fighter jet flights are extremely costly so their flight schedules have to be precise and time-efficient.

 

[blizzardtweaker]

since u put it that way, then hows having military airports scatered around the edges (or of less developed areas), so maybe they could make tengah the size of payar labar, built one more in tuas, use changi (n maybe even seletar) for partical or less critical military craft. that should surfice, n allow for the demolition of paya labar airport right?

 

[RafflesCity]

Paya Lebar is not used purely for military I think, as civilian aircraft do land there.

Aircraft repair must be a big industry and I suppose thats a big sacrifice in land terms in tiny Singapore

 

[babystan03]

This story was printed from TODAYonline

Signatures for Seletar

Residents, golfers ink a petition to save part of area's rustic charm

Thursday • June 8, 2006

Teo Xuanwei
[email protected]

LESS than a month after plans to convert Seletar Airport into a major aerospace park were unveiled, some 100 people have put their signatures to a petition to save the area.

A regular golfer at the Seletar Base Golf Course named Mr Raja started the petition, according to a clubhouse spokesperson. As of press time, Mr Raja could not be reached for comment.

Golfers and residents in the area have been streaming to the clubhouse to sign the petition since it was placed there last Sunday.

The petition, addressed to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, Singapore Land Authority (SLA) and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), among others, asked for "the authorities to preserve at least a portion of the area that will allow it to be used by the public in its original form".

Today understands that the petition will be placed in the clubhouse for two months with an aim of collecting 2,000 signatures.

Said Ms Regina Meals, 59, who lived there for 52 years before moving to Serangoon in 1999: "I just hope the authorities can leave some of the old, historical parts untouched. I'd do anything to save any part of this area."

Mr Beh Ngiap Kim, 53, agreed: "They don't have to demolish everything, right? Singapore has already lost so much of its old charm."

Last month, the Economic Development Board (EDB) announced a $60-million project to turn the area into a 140ha aerospace park, leaving the fate of surrounding residents, the golf course and the Singapore Youth Flying Club hanging in the balance.

EDB managing director Ko Kheng Hwa had said the new aerospace park, to be ready by 2015, is expected to create 10,000 new jobs and contribute $3.3 billion annually to our economy.

The estate managing agent, United Premas, has sent notices to the tenants of the 305 colonial bungalows and terrace houses in the Seletar Estate to inform them that they have to move out by end-2008. According to the SLA, none of the tenants' leases extend beyond Dec 31, 2008.

Since then, several readers have written to Today expressing their disappointment at the development plans.

Said contractor Mr Beh, who moved in less than two years ago: "I moved here because I love nature and you can't find such ambience anywhere else. And now, suddenly, everything is disrupted."

Mr Soh Edward Fitzgerald, who has lived in the area for the past nine years, wrote in his letter published in Today on Monday: "We feel sad that in Singapore, decisions always have to be made based on economic returns. I hope the relevant authority can look for an alternative site to build the aerospace hub or, at least, preserve the residential area so that existing tenants can be spared the axe."

JTC Corporation and the URA, who will be planning the park, will release details of how the surrounding areas, including the residential areas and the golf course, will be developed at the end of the year, when the aerospace park masterplan is finalised.

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.