Jazmin Li
Singapore Changi Airport is the primary international airport serving Singapore and is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. It is located within the district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore, and is named after this district. Before Changi Airport opened in 1981, commercial flights landed in Paya Lebar Airport, which had begun operations in 1955. However, within two decades, Paya Lebar’s shortcomings became obvious, as it only had a single runway and was unable to cope with the growing air traffic.
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What You'll Learn
- The airport is located in the district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore
- Singapore's previous international airport was at Paya Lebar Air Base
- Changi Airport is one of the world's highest-ranked, busiest, and most connected airports
- The airport was built on 2,100 acres of reclaimed land
- Changi Airport is home to Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines Cargo, and the low-cost carrier Scoot
The airport is located in the district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore
Singapore Changi Airport is located in the district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore. The airport is approximately 24 kilometres (15 miles) east of Singapore's Downtown Core and covers a site area of 25 square kilometres (9.7 square miles).
The decision to build the airport in Changi was made in 1975. The site was chosen due to its location at the eastern tip of the main island, away from the city centre, which helped to reduce noise concerns. Additionally, the area was previously a large encampment for the British Army, and the existing Changi Air Base provided an opportunity for expansion.
Land reclamation works began in June 1975, involving the use of over 52,000,000 cubic metres of landfill and seafill. Approximately 2 square kilometres (490 acres) of swamp land was cleared and filled, and canals were built to drain water from three existing rivers. A total of 870 hectares (2,100 acres) were reclaimed, with the final site area reaching 1,300 hectares.
Changi Airport officially opened on 29 December 1981, and it has since become one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia. It is served by two runways, each 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) long, and a third central runway that is currently closed due to the construction of Terminal 5. The airport has four main passenger terminals arranged in an elongated inverted "U" shape, with a fifth terminal under construction.
Changi Airport is known for its iconic control tower and has won numerous awards, including being named the ""World's Best Airport" multiple times. It serves more than 100 airlines, offering flights to over 400 destinations worldwide. The airport has helped establish Singapore as a major aviation hub and is renowned for its high standards of service and continuous evolution.
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Singapore's previous international airport was at Paya Lebar Air Base
Singapore Changi Airport, located in the district of Changi, is the primary international airport serving Singapore. It is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia, with over 100 airlines operating flights to over 400 cities in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide.
Before the development of Changi Airport, Singapore's main international airport was located at Paya Lebar Air Base. The Paya Lebar Airport was developed between 1952 and 1955 and officially opened on 20 August 1955. It was considered a Class B3 Airport based on the 1953 standards of the International Convention for Civil Aviation. The airport was equipped with modern navigational and surveillance technology, making it usable in almost all weather conditions by the largest civil aircraft. Paya Lebar Airport was regarded as a symbol of Singapore's post-war rapid development and modernisation.
The airport underwent several expansions to accommodate the exponential growth in air travel. A passenger terminal was added in 1964, and a new arrival terminal was constructed in 1977. In 1975, the Singapore government considered two options: expanding the existing airport at Paya Lebar or building a new airport elsewhere. Aviation consultants recommended expanding Paya Lebar, but in 1975, due to the easing pressure from the 1973 oil crisis, the government decided to build a new airport at Changi.
Paya Lebar Airport served as Singapore's international airport for 26 years until 1981, when it was converted into a military airbase and renamed Paya Lebar Air Base. Changi Airport officially opened on 29 December 1981, and Paya Lebar's last scheduled commercial flight departed on 30 June 1981. Today, Paya Lebar Air Base houses aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules and F-15SG Strike Eagles. The old passenger terminal and control tower at Paya Lebar still stand but are now off-limits to the public, housing air force units.
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Changi Airport is one of the world's highest-ranked, busiest, and most connected airports
Changi Airport, the primary international airport serving Singapore, is located in the district of Changi, at the eastern end of the country. It is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia, with more than 100 airlines operating flights to over 400 cities in more than 100 countries worldwide.
The airport has consistently ranked as one of the world's best and busiest airports. In 2024, it served 67.7 million passengers, recorded about 366,000 aircraft movements, and handled nearly 2 million tonnes of air freight. Changi Airport has won over 680 awards since its opening, including being named the world's best airport for 2025.
Changi Airport's success can be attributed to its efficient management and forward-thinking development policies. It has a history of building ahead of demand to prevent congestion issues and maintain high service standards. The airport has four main passenger terminals arranged in an elongated inverted "U" shape, with a fifth terminal under construction. The new terminal will significantly increase the airport's annual capacity and strengthen Singapore's position as a leading air hub.
Changi Airport is also known for its innovative and passenger-centric design. Changi Jewel, a 10-story luxury retail complex featuring the world's largest indoor waterfall, exemplifies this. The upcoming Terminal 5 is designed to be a "vibrant microcity" that is "distinctly Singaporean," offering a "personalized, stress-free, and positively surprising airport experience."
With its high standards of service quality, efficient operations, and continuous expansion, Changi Airport has solidified its reputation as one of the world's highest-ranked, busiest, and most well-connected airports.
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The airport was built on 2,100 acres of reclaimed land
The Changi Airport in Singapore is located within its namesake district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore, approximately 24 kilometres (15 miles) from the city's downtown core. The airport was built on 2,100 acres of reclaimed land, with the total site area being 1,300 hectares or 3,200 acres.
Land reclamation works began in Changi in June 1975, involving the use of over 52,000,000 cubic metres of landfill and seafill. Around 490 acres of swamp land were cleared and filled with 12,000,000 cubic metres of earth from nearby hills, while another 40,000,000 cubic metres of sand were used to fill up the seabed. Canals were built to drain water from three existing rivers: Sungei Tanah Merah Besar, Sungei Ayer Gemuroh, and Sungei Mata Ikan.
The decision to build the airport on reclaimed land was made in 1975, after the Singaporean government initially considered expanding the existing airport at Paya Lebar, which had been Singapore's international airport since 1955. However, concerns arose that Paya Lebar was located in an area with potential for urban growth, which would limit the airport's expansion capabilities. Thus, the government decided to build a new airport at the eastern tip of the main island, on the site of the former Changi Air Base, which had been used by the Royal Air Force during World War II.
Changi Airport officially opened on 29 December 1981, with its first commercial flight arriving on 1 July 1981. The airport has since become one of the world's highest-ranked, busiest, and most connected airports, serving over 100 airlines and offering flights to hundreds of cities worldwide. It has won numerous awards, including "Best Airport in the World" and has helped turn Singapore into a major aviation hub.
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Changi Airport is home to Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines Cargo, and the low-cost carrier Scoot
Changi Airport, the primary international airport serving Singapore, is home to several major airlines, including Singapore Airlines, Singapore Airlines Cargo, and the low-cost carrier Scoot. Singapore Airlines, the country's flag carrier, has a long history with Changi Airport, with its first flight, SQ101, touching down at the airport on its opening day in 1981. Changi Airport has continued to be a significant hub for Singapore Airlines, with the airline operating from multiple terminals and continuously improving its facilities, such as revamping its lounges in Terminal 3 in 2022.
Singapore Airlines Cargo, the cargo division of Singapore Airlines, is also based at Changi Airport. The airport's strategic location in Singapore makes it a favourable destination for high-demand layovers, contributing to its status as one of the busiest cargo airports globally. In 2019, Changi Airport handled 2.01 million tonnes of cargo, showcasing its importance in the global cargo industry.
Scoot, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, is a low-cost airline based in Singapore. Scoot's head office is located at Changi Airport Terminal 3, and it operates flights from Terminal 1. The airline began its operations in 2012, serving medium and long-haul routes, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Scoot has expanded its network over the years, including merging with Tigerair in 2017 and joining the Value Alliance, the world's largest low-cost carrier alliance.
Looking forward, Singapore Airlines and Scoot plan to unite under one roof at Changi Airport's Terminal 5 in the mid-2030s. This move aims to improve operational efficiency and enhance airside connectivity, unlocking new opportunities for interlining between full-service and low-cost flights. Terminal 5's mammoth scale will also bring numerous new lounge options for travellers, elevating the airport experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Singapore Changi Airport is located in the district of Changi, at the eastern end of Singapore.
Changi Airport is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia, with more than 100 airlines operating from the airport. It is regularly voted one of the top airports in the world and has won over 680 awards since its opening.
Changi Airport opened on 29 December 1981, although the first commercial flight landed on 1 July 1981.
Before Changi Airport opened in 1981, commercial flights landed in Paya Lebar Airport, which had begun operations in 1955.
Paya Lebar Airport only had a single runway and was unable to cope with the growing air traffic. Changi Airport was built on reclaimed land, allowing for significant expansion.
