Owais Crawford
Singapore Changi Airport is the primary international airport serving the country of Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. The airport is located within the district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore, approximately 15 miles east of Singapore's Downtown Core. Construction of the airport began in 1979, and it opened in 1981, replacing Singapore's previous main international airport at Paya Lebar. Singapore Changi Airport has since undergone numerous expansions and upgrades, including the addition of new terminals, runways, and transportation links. It has won numerous awards and accolades, including being named the 'Best Airport' in the world on multiple occasions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Construction began | 1979 |
| Phase one opened | 1981 |
| Terminal 1 opened | 1981 |
| Terminal 2 opened | 1991 |
| Terminal 3 construction began | 1999 |
| Terminal 4 opened | 2017 |
| Terminal 5 construction began | 2019 |
| Terminal 5 expected completion | 2030s |
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What You'll Learn
Singapore Changi Airport is one of the world's busiest transport hubs
The history of the airport goes back to the 1970s when Singapore's main airport at Paya Lebar reached its maximum capacity. Facing congestion problems due to the growth in global aviation transport, the decision was made in 1975 to move the airport to Changi, which offered ample space for future expansion. Land reclamation works began in June 1975, and actual construction of the airport commenced in 1979 with the laying of the foundation stone of Terminal 1.
Changi Airport officially opened on 30 June 1981, with the arrival of its first flight, SQ101 from Kuala Lumpur, carrying 140 passengers. In just two weeks, 250,000 visitors, or about one in ten Singaporeans, visited the airport. The airport has continued to expand since its opening, with the addition of new terminals, runways, and facilities to accommodate the growing number of passengers. Terminal 2 opened in 1991, followed by a budget terminal in 2006, and Terminal 4 in 2017. The airport is currently constructing Terminal 5, which is anticipated to be operational by the mid-2030s.
Today, Changi Airport serves over 100 airlines flying to more than 400 cities in approximately 100 countries worldwide. About 7,000 flights arrive or depart at Changi each week, or one every 80 seconds. The airport handled 62 million passengers in 2017, the most in its history, and also saw its billionth passenger that year. Changi Airport has been recognised for its excellence, winning numerous awards, including being named the 'World's Best Airport' by Skytrax multiple times.
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The airport was built on reclaimed land
Singapore Changi Airport is the primary international airport serving Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. It is located in the Changi district, at the eastern end of Singapore, approximately 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the city's downtown core.
The decision to relocate the airport to Changi was made in 1975, despite the high cost of relocation and the loss of existing investments in Paya Lebar. The limited land resources in Singapore meant that new land had to be reclaimed for the construction of Changi Airport. The airport was strategically situated away from the city centre, allowing for future expansion by reclaiming land from the sea for additional runways and terminals.
The construction of Changi Airport began with Phase 1, which included building Terminal 1, the first runway, aircraft parking bays, support facilities, and administrative offices. Phase II commenced immediately after, with the development of Terminal 2, the second runway, and other essential infrastructure. Terminal 2 officially opened on June 1, 1991, with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in attendance.
Changi Airport has continued to expand and upgrade its infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for air travel. Terminal 5, scheduled to open in the mid-2030s, will be built on reclaimed land in Changi East, making it one of the largest terminals in the world.
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It has won over 680 awards since its opening
Singapore Changi Airport is the primary international airport serving the country of Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. The airport is located within the district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore, approximately 24 kilometres (15 miles) from Singapore's Downtown Core.
Since its opening, Singapore Changi Airport has won over 680 awards, including 28 "Best Airport" awards in 2019 alone. It has been recognised as the World's Best Airport by air transport rating organisation Skytrax for a record-breaking 13th time in 2025, beating Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar, to the top spot. The airport has also been recognised for its diverse and expansive choice of dining outlets, winning the World's Best Airport Dining award.
Changi Airport is one of the world's busiest airports, both for the number of international passengers and the volume of cargo traffic. Over 100 airlines fly to 400 cities in around 100 countries from the airport, with about 7,200 to 7,400 flights landing or departing from Changi each week. The airport is served by two runways, each 4 kilometres long, with a third runway currently closed due to the construction of Terminal 5.
The airport's Jewel Changi Airport, an indoor leisure and retail complex, is a significant draw for travellers, featuring the 40-metre-high Rain Vortex, the world's largest indoor waterfall, and Singapore's largest collection of indoor plants. Changi Airport also offers unique amenities such as an indoor rock-climbing wall, a swimming pool, extensive shopping, and a gym.
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The airport is served by two runways of 4km each
Singapore Changi Airport is a major aviation hub in Asia, located in the Changi planning area, approximately 20 kilometres (12 miles) northeast of Singapore's centre. It is the primary international airport that serves the country of Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia.
The airport is served by two runways, each measuring 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) in length. These runways play a crucial role in facilitating the high volume of air traffic that Changi Airport handles. The construction of these runways was a significant engineering feat, requiring careful planning and execution to ensure the safe and efficient movement of aircraft.
In addition to the two main runways, there is a third central runway that is currently closed due to the construction of Terminal 5. This third runway, known as 02R/20L, is part of the Changi Air Base operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force. While it is not currently in use for commercial aviation, it further highlights the airport's importance to both civilian and military operations.
The runways at Changi Airport are strategically positioned to optimise the airport's operations. They are spaced apart to allow for simultaneous take-offs and landings, helping to manage the high traffic volume efficiently. The length of the runways, at 4 kilometres each, also provides the necessary distance for aircraft to accelerate during take-off and decelerate during landing, ensuring the safety of each flight.
The construction of these runways involved significant planning and engineering expertise. Considerations were made to ensure the runways could withstand the weight of various aircraft, from small private planes to large commercial jets. The surfaces were designed to provide optimal traction, and lighting and markings were installed to aid in navigation during all weather conditions and times of day.
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Changi Airport is Singapore's primary international airport
The decision to build Changi Airport was made in 1975 due to congestion at Singapore's previous main airport, Paya Lebar Airport, which had opened in 1955. Construction of Changi Airport began in 1979 with the laying of the foundation stone of Terminal 1. The airport officially opened on 30 June 1981, with the arrival of its first flight, SQ101 from Kuala Lumpur, carrying 140 passengers.
Changi Airport is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia, serving more than 100 airlines flying to over 400 cities in around 100 countries worldwide. It is the home base of BOC Aviation, Jetstar Asia, Singapore Airlines, and its subsidiaries, Scoot and Singapore Airlines Cargo. The airport also serves as a focus city for Qantas and the flagship cargo hub for FedEx Express.
Changi Airport has won numerous awards, including the 'World's Best Airport' title from Skytrax 12 times. The airport is known for its innovative design and high standards of service quality, with continuous upgrades and new facilities to maintain its position as one of the world's leading airports. Terminal 5, anticipated to open in the mid-2030s, will further enhance Changi Airport's capacity and reinforce its status as a major aviation hub.
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Frequently asked questions
Construction of Changi Airport began in 1979 with the laying of the foundation stone of the Terminal 1 superstructure. The airport opened in 1981, with the first flight arriving on 1 July 1981.
Singapore's previous main airport, Paya Lebar Airport, was too close to housing estates to be expanded. Changi Airport was built to address the congestion problems at Paya Lebar Airport, which had become critical by the 1970s.
There are currently four main passenger terminal buildings at Changi Airport, with a fifth terminal under construction.
