Singapore Changi Airport experienced robust growth in passenger traffic in 2006. The airport, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, achieved a new record of 35.03 million passenger movements, or…
Singapore Changi Airport experienced robust growth in passenger traffic in 2006. The airport, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, achieved a new record of 35.03 million passenger movements, or 8% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase.
In December 2006, Changi Airport handled some 3.42 million passengers to post an increase of 10.1% compared to December 2005. It was the busiest month last year, which saw over 100,000 daily travellers passing through almost everyday of the month. December period is a popular month for leisure travel, partly because it coincides with the school vacation in
Singapore.
Today, Changi Airport is connected to more than 180 cities in 57 countries by more than 80 airlines. The number of weekly scheduled flights also reached 4,199, a new record for the airport. In 2006, seven new airlines joined the Changi air network. They are Shanghai Airlines Cargo, Egypt Air, Cebu Pacific, South African Airways, Air India Express, Jetstar Airways and Air Madagascar. Among these, Cebu Pacific operates from the Budget Terminal, along with Tiger Airways.
Changi Airport also reaped a record of 25 worldwide best airport awards and accolades from international publications and
aviation related organisations. The most recent win came from Germany’s Business Traveller magazine, which presented two awards to Changi. Readers of the German magazine voted Changi the ‘Best Airport in the World’ and ‘Best Airport in Asia Pacific’ for 14 and 5 consecutive years respectively. Another pair of awards was picked up at the 13th World Travel Awards, when Changi was crowned “World’s Leading Airport” and “Asia Pacific’s Leading Airport”. The airport counts Business Traveller (United Kingdom/Europe) magazine’s ‘Best Airport in the World’ as one of its oldest awards to date, which it has been winning consecutively for 19 years since 1988. And for the first time this year, Changi also clinched Skytrax’s “World’s Best Airport” award.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) marked the year’s lustrous results with a celebration at the Annual Airport Reception (AAR) on 16 January 2007. The AAR is organised by CAAS annually to show appreciation to the management and staff of the various airport agencies that have, in one way or another, contributed towards the success of Changi
Airport.
At the AAR, Guest-of-Honour Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, reflected “Last year was a challenging year for the global airline industry. High fuel prices and the continuing threat of terrorist attacks have made the aviation environment more complex and challenging. Nevertheless, as one Changi team, we have risen above these challenges to continue to provide travellers with a high level of service and a vibrant travel experience.”
Mr Lim also presented awards to some 17 frontline airport staff who had delivered exemplary service to Changi’s passengers. He credited the award winners for going beyond the call of duty to give passengers a lasting impression of Changi’s service.
The year 2006 had seen the completion of Terminal 2’s upgrading, as well as the opening of the Budget Terminal and a new luxury terminal for Commercially-Important Persons (CIP). A new Terminal 3 will open for operations in early 2008 while upgrading works on Terminal 1 will commence in the third quarter of 2007.
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
