The FINANCIAL — Singapore Changi Airport registered 5.16 million passenger movements in October 2017, an 8.1% year-on-year increase. There was a 5.0% increase in airfreight throughput to 185,830 tonnes, while aircraft movements rose 3.7% to 31,730 landings and takeoffs.
In October, growth was broad-based across all regions. Among Changi’s top ten country markets, China (+19%), India (+22%), Thailand (+13%), and Vietnam (+12%) registered the largest increases. Major city routes that recorded double digit growth included Bangkok, Guangzhou, Penang, Phuket and Taipei, according to Singapore Changi Airport.
Passenger traffic for the first 10 months of 2017 rose 6.1% to 51.2 million, and Changi Airport is on track to welcome, for the first time, its 60 millionth passenger in a calendar year next month.
At this year’s CAPA Asia Aviation Awards for Excellence, Changi Airport was awarded CAPA Asia Airport of the Year 2017. The awards celebrate strategic excellence in the aviation industry. Changi Airport was recognised for the development of Terminal 4 and its commitment to boost capacity over the next decade.
As at 1 November 2017, more than 100 airlines operate at Changi Airport, connecting Singapore to some 380 cities in about 90 countries and territories worldwide. With more than 7,000 weekly scheduled flights, an aircraft takes off or lands at Changi roughly once every 90 seconds.
Other highlights at Changi
New Services – Singapore’s connectivity to China was strengthened with three airlines launching new services. Spring Airlines started thrice weekly services to Guangzhou, while China Eastern Airlines also launched thrice weekly services to Fuzhou, flying onward to Yantai (Shandong province). Hebei Airlines, a new-to-Changi airline, commenced daily services to Hangzhou, connecting onward to Shijiazhuang (Hebei province).
SilkAir launched thrice weekly services to Hiroshima, establishing Changi’s first link to the Japanese city. Jetstar Asia started 4x weekly services to Hat Yai, Thailand, while Singapore Airlines increased its Singapore-Paris services from 7x to 10x weekly.
On 29 October, Changi Airport welcomed United Airlines’ new daily non-stop service between Singapore and Los Angeles. Operated with its Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft, the Los Angeles-Singapore route is the longest non-stop route between the United States and any city globally.
New Restaurants & Stores – In the public areas, Japanese gourmet hall Sora has opened in T2 [2] (Level 3). A multi-concept restaurant serving Japanese cuisine like ramen, tempura and sashimi, the 300-seater hall is the airport’s largest F&B outlet. O’Coffee Club Xpress, offering gourmet coffee and all-day breakfasts, has also commenced operations in the Departure Hall of the same terminal. The Golden Duck Co., known for its popular salted egg yolk snacks, has opened its first kiosk at T3’s Basement 2.
In the transit areas, fashion brand FENDI opened its first airport store at T1. Passengers looking to satisfy their sweet tooth cravings can now visit Cocoa & Co. in T1 and Awfully Chocolate in T2.
Discussion about this post