Changi Airport, located at the eastern edge of the island, is Singapore’s international airport. It replaced Paya Lebar Airport in July 1981, which had become overwhelmed by the immense volume of passenger air traffic.[1] To cope with the increase in the number of air passengers, the government had announced in June 1975 that a new airport would be built at Changi.[2]
In the same month, preparations for the Changi site began. It was a massive undertaking involving the clearance of an existing airbase built during the Japanese Occupation, acquisition of land, demolition of over 550 buildings, exhumation of about 4,100 graves and clearance of nearly 200 ha (2 sq km) of swamp land.[3] Reclamation works were also carried out, resulting in about 870 ha (8.7 sq km) of land reclaimed from the sea.[4] All reclamation and earthworks were completed in May 1977, following which construction work began.[5] There were two phases of construction. Phase I involved the construction of all buildings and facilities that would make the airport operational by mid-1981. These included a passenger terminal (now known as Terminal 1), a control tower and a runway, all of which were completed by June 1981.[6] Under Phase II of construction, a second runway and another passenger terminal (Terminal 2) were built.[7] A main feature of the airport is the iconic 78-metre-tall control tower designed by the Public Works Department.[8]
Changi Airport replaced Paya Lebar Airport as Singapore’s new international airport on 1 July 1981.[9] It was declared officially opened by then Minister for Defence Howe Yoon Chong on 29 December 1981.[10] About 900 foreign guests were invited to the event, during which individuals and government departments that had contributed to the planning and construction of Changi Airport were honoured.[11]
Since its opening, Changi Airport has received numerous awards and accolades, and is largely considered one of the best airports in the world.[12] It has also undergone numerous expansions, resulting in the extension to Terminal 1 in 2000, and the opening of the Budget Terminal and Terminal 3 in 2006 and 2008 respectively.[13] Passenger movements through Changi Airport also witnessed a remarkable growth over the years, reaching 53.7 million by the end of 2013.[14]
References
1. Department of Civil Aviation & Archives & Oral Department. (1982). Singapore fly-past: A pictorial review of civil aviation in Singapore, 1911–1981 (p. 53). Singapore: MPH Magazines. Call no.: RSING 387.7095957 SIN.
2. Department of Civil Aviation & Archives & Oral Department, 1982, p. 53; Goh, K. C., et. al. (1980). Changi Airport data (p. 2). Singapore: Changi Airport Development Division, PWD. Call no.: 387.736095957 CHA; Campbell, W. (1975, June 13). Making Changi our main civil airport. The Straits Times, p. 16. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
3. Hutton, P. (1981). Wings over Singapore: The story of Singapore Changi Airport (pp. 41–43). Singapore: MPH Magazines. Call no.: RSING 387.736095957 HUT; British pows have built biggest SEAC airbase. (1946, March 17). The Straits Times, p. 7. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
4. Wee, P. (1979, June 24). Biggest and most modern in Asia. The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
5. Ministry of Communications, et al. (1980). Changi Airport Singapore (p. 8). Singapore: Singapore National Printers Ltd. Call no.: RSING 387.73 CHA; Passenger Terminal Building milestones. (1981, June 16). The Straits Times, p. 14. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
6. Changi airport will dwarf Paya Lebar. (1976, January 18). The Straits Times, p. 7; Changi airport built within approved cost. (1981, June 16). The Straits Times, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Ministry of Communications, 1980, p. 16.
7. Goh, K. C. (1981, December 29).Why master plan was adopted. The Straits Times, p. 23. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Ministry of Communications, 1980, p. 43.
8. Traffic control tower at new Changi airport. (1978, April 11). The Straits Times, p. 6; New control tower. (1979, June 1). The Straits Times, p. 13. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
9. Goodbye Paya Lebar, here we come Changi. (1981, July 1). The Straits Times, p. 12. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
10. Howe to open airport on Dec 29. (1981, October 8). The Straits Times, p. 9; Changi Airport roll of honour. (1981, December 30). The Straits Times, p. 8. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
11. The Straits Times, 30 Dec 1981, p. 8.
12. Changi Airport Group. (2014). 2014 – Accolades received by Changi Airport Group/Singapore Changi Airport. Retrieved from Changi Airport Singapore website: http://www.changiairport.com/our-business/awards
13. Ramchandani, N. (2008, January 10). T3 opens doors to keep Changi a step ahead. The Business Times, p. 1; Colourful start for Budget Terminal. (2006, March 23). The Straits Times, p. 6. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
14. Changi Airport Group. (2014, October 27). Passenger movements at Changi Airport. Retrieved from Changi Airport Group website: http://www.changiairportgroup.com/cag/html/the-group/air_traffic_statistics.html
Rights Statement
The information in this article is valid as at 2014 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.