Singapore's Airport Infrastructure: A Comprehensive Overview

Singapore is known for its impressive infrastructure, from bridges to skyscrapers, and this extends to its airports. The country has nine airports in total, two of which are civilian airports in use, and seven are used for military purposes. Singapore Changi Airport is the main airport serving Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. It has been voted the world's best airport for eight consecutive years and is one of the world's busiest airports.

Singapore Changi Airport

Changi Airport is strategically located, sitting approximately 20 kilometres from Marina Bay and Singapore's Downtown Core. It is easily accessible via various transportation modes, including taxis, MRTs, and buses, with a shuttle bus service connecting the airport's terminals. The airport also offers a range of attractions, such as free sightseeing tours, a swimming pool, and the aerobridge.

The airport has been recognised for its exceptional standards, ranking highly in various categories by Skytrax. It has consistently been voted one of the world's best airports and has received accolades for its cleanliness and staff. Changi Airport has won over 680 awards since its opening, including 28 "Best Airport" awards in 2019 alone.

Changi Airport features four terminal buildings, with a fifth under construction and scheduled to open in 2030. The terminals are arranged in an elongated inverted "U" shape, with the Jewel Changi Airport, a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex, at the centre. The airport handles a significant volume of passenger and cargo traffic, serving more than 100 airlines flying to 400 cities in over 100 countries and territories worldwide.

Changi Airport offers a wide range of amenities for travellers, including shopping and dining options. It boasts 400 shopping outlets, offering a diverse range of items such as electronics, high-quality garments, and duty-free goods. Foodies will also be delighted by the selection of over 150 restaurants serving international cuisines, Singaporean classics, and vegan options.

In addition to its focus on passenger experience, Changi Airport also prioritises safety and security. The Changi Airport Group (CAG) manages the overall safety and security of the airport, ensuring compliance with aviation security policies and implementing necessary measures.

Changi Airport has played a crucial role in Singapore's transportation and has contributed to the country's reputation for infrastructural masterpieces. With its continuous development and commitment to maintaining high standards, Changi Airport is set to remain a prominent aviation hub in the region.

Seletar Airport

History

During World War II, Seletar airfield was the target of carpet bombing when Japanese navy bombers conducted the first air raid on Singapore, after their ground forces invaded Kota Bahru. It was abandoned when the Japanese took Johor Bahru, which brought their artillery range of the airfield.

During the Japanese occupation, from 1942 to 1945, several Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service squadrons were based or transited through Seletar, mainly for training purposes. The present runway was built during this time.

After World War II, the base was returned to the RAF and was heavily involved in the Malayan Emergency in the late 1940s and 1950s. During this time, several RAF squadrons were based at Seletar, including Nos 60, 81 and 205 Squadrons, which operated aircraft such as Beaufighters, Spitfires, and Mosquitos.

In the 1960s, RAF Seletar was the home base for several squadrons equipped with helicopters and transport aircraft, which provided support during the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. The base was also involved in the formation of the Republic of Singapore Flying Club, which is now situated at Seletar Airport.

The RAF station closed at the end of March 1971, and Seletar was handed over to Singapore's Department of Civil Aviation. Since then, the airport has been used for civilian and private aviation, as well as military purposes.

Recent Developments

In recent years, there have been efforts to relieve pressure on Changi Airport by increasing Seletar Airport's capacity and moving smaller and slower aircraft from Changi to Seletar. The runway was extended to 1,840 metres in 2011, and the airport's avionics systems were upgraded. A new passenger terminal building opened in November 2018, featuring four check-in counters, six immigration lanes, and a gate holdroom that can accommodate 200 passengers.

Transportation

Public bus service 102 stops directly at Seletar Airport Terminal, and passengers can also travel via MRT at nearby stations such as Hougang, Buangkok, and Sengkang.

Paya Lebar Airport

There are 3 airports in Singapore: Changi Airport, Paya Lebar Airport, and Seletar Airport. Paya Lebar Airport, originally known as the Singapore International Airport, is a military airbase for the Republic of Singapore Air Force and the United States Air Force.

The airport was built from 1952 to 1955 and was opened on 20 August 1955 by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Alan Lennox-Boyd. The architect for the project was J. J. Bryan, a public works engineer with experience constructing airports in other parts of Asia. It was built to replace Kallang Airport, which was the first purpose-built civil international airport in Singapore, officially opened on 12 June 1937, and ceased operations in 1955.

In 1966, the airline's focus shifted more towards Singapore, buying Boeing 707s, headquartering itself in the country, and renaming itself Malaysia-Singapore Airlines. Its primary hub became Paya Lebar, and services began to reach out further into North Asia. In 1972, Malaysia-Singapore Airlines was dissolved, with the airline splitting into two: Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines, the latter keeping all the 707s.

Passenger numbers rose from 1.7 million to 4 million between 1970 and 1975. However, the airport was constrained by housing estates and, although some work was done to keep it operational, construction began on the new Changi Airport in 1975 and it opened in 1981. Paya Lebar then closed to civil traffic and was converted for military use, becoming a complete military airbase in 1981 when it was renamed Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB).

Today, the air base houses aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules and two squadrons of F-15SG Strike Eagles. Under Singapore's permission, the Paya Lebar Airbase is also used by various flying units of the United States Air Force and United States Navy as a strategic refuelling stopover and staging post/transit point. The base is also used permanently by the 497th Combat Training Squadron for other flight operations.

Paya Lebar Air Base is expected to be decommissioned around 2030, with the RSAF relocating to other airbases throughout the country. The area will be redeveloped into a new town with residential housing projects, offices, factories, and parks. Parts of the old airbase, such as the runway, will also be integrated into this new town to conserve its heritage.

Changi Air Base (West)

Changi Air Base is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) situated in Changi, at the easternmost tip of Singapore. The base is divided into two locations: Changi Air Base (West) and Changi Air Base (East). The former was named as such following the opening of a new eastern facility on 29 November 2004.

In addition to the flying squadrons, Changi Air Base (West) also comprises several support squadrons, including the Field Defence Squadron (FDS), the Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS), the Airfield Operations Maintenance Squadron Fixed Wing 2 (AOMS-FW2), the Ground Logistics Liaison Office/Ground Logistics Squadron (GLLO/GLS), and the Air Movement Centre (AMC).

The history of the area where Changi Air Base now sits dates back to the mid-1930s when it was a large encampment of British Army artillery and combat engineer units based in Singapore. During the Japanese occupation of Singapore from 1942 to 1945, the site was used to house many Allied prisoners-of-war (POWs). The current airfield at Changi Air Base was constructed by the occupying Imperial Japanese Armed Forces using forced labour from these POWs.

Changi Air Base (East)

The base is home to several Republic of Singapore Air Force squadrons, including the 145 Squadron, equipped with extended-range F-16D Block 52+ Fighting Falcons, as well as the 208 Squadron, 808 Squadron, and 508 Squadron. The proximity of the South China Sea gives the 145 Squadron a strategic advantage over other air bases, as the F-16 jets can reach training areas faster and more efficiently.

The new base includes a runway (02R/20L), initially measuring 2,748 metres in length, but it has since been extended to 4,000 metres to accommodate future growth in passenger, cargo, and air traffic. The runway will be further extended to its maximum length of 4,000 metres in the future, coinciding with the construction of Terminal 5 at Changi Airport.

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