Singapore unveils S$4 billion plan to upgrade Changi Airport’s air traffic systems and expand capacity over 15 years.
SINGAPORE: The Changi Airport Control Tower and the Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre (SATCC) will undergo refurbishment and upgrade works to increase capacity and house new systems, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
The project will be part of S$4 billion (S$1=RM3.16) upgrade plans over the next 15 years as Singapore gears up to meet rising demand for air travel and strengthen its position as a global air hub.
CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan said the agency remains committed to serving all airspace users while ensuring a smoother, more seamless and safer travel experience as Singapore strengthens its position as a global air hub. “We plan ahead, invest, partner and leverage technology to ensure that we have the capacity and capabilities we need to meet rising demand and benefit from aviation’s growth,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
According to CAAS, a new SATCC complex will be built to accommodate the upgraded systems and capabilities, while the Changi Control Tower will be enhanced with a new annex building to be constructed between the tower and Jewel Changi Airport.
“To meet the increase in air travel demand, Changi Airport is progressing towards three-runway operations by the end of this decade, after the third runway is operational for civil use. The three-runway operations will increase Changi Airport’s flight handling capacity and enhance the safety and efficiency of air traffic in the region,” it said.
In addition, CAAS will also grow its current workforce of 500 air traffic control officers by about 40% to around 700 by the mid-2030s. This will accommodate the rising demand for air travel and prepare for the opening of Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5), it added.
