19th Jan 2008
The opening of the ultra modern Terminal 3 of Changi Airport will prepare the ground for setting new records in the Aviation Industry. The new facility bolsters the leading position of Singapore as the Aviation hub and significantly sets it apart from its rivals at Hong Kong and Bangkok, by means of its capacity and futuristic amenities. It is reported, that built at a cost of S$1.75 billion (US$1.22 billion), Terminal 3 offers 380,000 square metres (4.1 million square feet) of space in a seven-storey building. It can handle 22 million passengers a year, bringing Changi's total capacity to about 70 million.
The International Air Transport Association says Asia Pacific passenger traffic will grow 5.9 percent annually between 2007 and 2011, faster than the 5.1 percent global average, and both Hong Kong and Singapore built their new terminals to tap the increasing demand. Though Bangkok tried to challenge them with its new airport, it fell flat because of certain inherent defects in the design and security aspects. The capacity enhancement achieved via the new facility is a much needed development, when most of the world’s important airports are operating near or to capacity, which if overlooked will eventually lead to decline in the efficiency. Changi has already established a brand image globally by graduating from a mere transport infrastructure to a travelers and carriers friendly miniature aviation city.
Changi achieved over 35 million passenger movements in 2006. As one of the word’s busiest and well-connected airport, Changi Airport is served by more than 80 airlines flying to over 180 cities in 60 countries with more than 4,000 weekly scheduled flights. The success of Changi is attributable to several strategic and progressive efforts such as a liberal aviation policy, efficient airport operations and a nurturing spirit towards both home-grown and foreign carriers at Changi.
Even before liberalization became the rule of the game, Singapore took conscious efforts to pursue a liberal air transport policy, and actively expanded its pool of air traffic rights while simultaneously welcoming the foreign airlines. With perpetual commitment to enhance connectivity and driven by the spirit to excel the competition that is close at heels, Singapore is pursuing a proactive strategy to constantly review reinvent & innovate in order to remain relevant to the customers it serves. Analysts say that the aviation industry competition is intensifying in the region where airline passenger growth is projected to increase faster than the global average, so a forward looking approach is essential to sustain the competitiveness that Singapore has achieved.
Commenting on the latest feather on the cap of Singapore Ms. Ragini Dhanvantray of Rikvin Consultancy says “The airport’s growth is synonymous with Singapore’s economic development and it has won Singapore an iconic position in the world’s aviation map. Singapore endeavors to render the best services to diverse customer market, which resulted in the launch of Budget Terminal and the Commercially Important Persons (CIP)Terminal and now terminal 3 will reinforce its position as the aviation hub in the region. Businesses choose Singapore as their regional headquarters or as their regional launch pad primarily because of its strategic location. It brings the east and west closer because of the connectivity both in terms of air and sea transport. The Terminal3 is a natural outcome of Singapore’s efforts to augment its position as a Tourists haven and an important commercial center in the region. The status has already resulted in manifold growth in passenger traffic, which will further escalate in the years to come with the launch of the Integrated Resorts. So this capacity expansion through terminal 3 is more of an anticipatory approach which will uphold the efficiency of the airport and the convenience of commuters”
http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/defense/200801196782.htm
