Having been recognised because the World’s Leading Airport by the realm Travel Awards, Singapore Changi Airport seriously isn’t resting on its laurels. With a brand new terminal under construction, chief executive Lee Seow Hiang here sits down with Breaking Travel News to bring us brand new.
Breaking Travel News: Are you able to let us know a bit in regards to the latest developments at Changi Airport What are you doing to make sure the positioning remains the pre-eminent destination within the region
Lee Seow Hiang: On the subject of new projects at Changi Airport, we have now begun some of infrastructural projects making sure that Changi Airport is easily-positioned to stay a significant global aviation hub, able to meet the challenges of growing passenger and aircraft traffic within the years ahead.
These include the improvement of our new Terminal 4 and ancillary works to extend the selection of aircraft parking stands.
T4 is predicted to be completed by 2017, with a planned capacity of 16 million passenger movements a year.
It will raise Changi Airport’s handling capacity to 82 million a year and help make it possible for the passenger experience at Changi isn’t compromised at the same time passenger traffic grows.
Throughout its history, Changi Airport has always stayed earlier than its capacity needs. This approach has underpinned Changi’s success as an air hub – an airport that passengers love and airlines appreciate.
Along with the measures announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to enhance runway capacity, our infrastructure investments over the subsequent four to 5 years will lay the groundwork for us to continue delivering a fantastic Changi Experience and attracting more airlines to fly to Changi Airport.
BTN: Changi welcomed over 50 million passengers for the 1st time in its 31-year history in 2012. Do you’re feeling this upward growth in number is sustainable
LSH: Traffic growth at Changi Airport in its 31-year history has averaged about six per cent every year.
The stronger growth beforehand three years was using a superb recovery in air travel demand following the worldwide financial crisis of 2008. In 2012, we saw our strongest traffic growth on routes to Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Southwest Pacific.
We believe that the Asia Pacific region will remain a strong aviation market anchored by the massive economies of China, India and Indonesia.
Having said this, the worldwide economic outlook remains cloudy. Within the near term, Changi Airport’s performance will depend largely on how economies, especially in Asia, adjust.
We are confident that our strong partnership with our stakeholders will see the airport during the challenges that lie ahead.
BTN: Are you able to bring us up-to-date at the construction of the fourth terminal at Changi
LSH: The brand new Terminal 4 may be a two-storey building that we are hoping will delight passengers when it comes to its facilities in addition to retail and F&B offerings.
It may be a higher quality product than the old Budget Terminal.
We expect the terminal to be ready by 2017.
T4 can be designed to satisfy the operational needs of both regional full service and occasional cost carriers.
To enhance passenger convenience, accessibility and experience, especially in adverse climatic conditions, aerobridges may be available at its boarding gates.
Passengers transferring to any other terminals may also be capable of accomplish that without the necessity to clear immigration.
BTN: In what ways does the expansion of Singapore as a tourism destination benefit the construction of Changi
LSH: As Changi Airport is the most important gateway into Singapore, the ongoing growth of Singapore as a tourism destination is evidently beneficial for us.
Hence, we do work closely with partners just like the Singapore Tourism Board and Singapore based airlines to advertise Singapore as a destination of choice.
At an analogous time, we believe an excellent airport experience also enhances the Singapore holiday for tourists.
We are proud to be the welcome point for millions of tourists to Singapore every year, and strive making sure that, for them, the Changi Experience may be very much part of their visit to our country.
BTN: Changi Airport was recognised because the World’s Leading Airport by the celebrated World Travel Awards in 2012. What do you watched caught the judges’ attention
LSH: We’re honoured to be voted the arena’s Leading Airport by the World Travel Awards all over again.
We are pleased that our discuss service excellence, enhanced by the offerings provided by the Changi Experience, has resonated well amongst industry professionals and the travelling public.
Our vision to make the airport experience a first-class one is something we attempt to repeatedly achieve.
As an example, beautifully-curated horticultural decorations and art pieces round the airport make Changi Airport a serene place to go through on what might have been a stressful journey from one city to a different.
We remain steadfast in upholding and adorning the Changi. Experience in order that passengers and airport visitors alike continue to find delightful moments while at Changi.
BTN: Do you intend to take advantage of this accolade in marketing activities for Changi at all
LSH: Definitely. We’re proud to be the world’s most awarded airport with over 420 awards since 1981.
Such accolades and popularity spur us to always improve, pushing us to repeatedly top our standards.
More Information
For additional info at the latest developments at Changi Airport head over to the official website.
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