Changi Airport unveils plans to become an even more attractive airline hub

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has unveiled details of a wide-ranging Growth and Assistance Incentive (GAIN) programme to be implemented over the coming year. With GAIN, CAG is committing a total of SGD 100 million through various initiatives and measures aimed at lowering costs for airlines, boosting passenger traffic and improving operational efficiency at Changi Airport. These efforts will strengthen the airports hub status and anchor Singapore as a major air gateway to and from the region.

From July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015, all airlines operating at Changi Airport will enjoy an across-the-board reduction in operating costs including rebates of 50 per cent on aircraft parking fees and 15 per cent on aerobridge fees. In addition, CAG will introduce a new package which will reward airlines for growing transfer traffic at Changi Airport.

CAG is also keen to work with airlines to raise efficiency of the latters terminal operations and will provide funding support where appropriate. For example, airlines are being encouraged to come onboard the FAST@Changi initiative which covers a range of self-service options for departing passengers.

To stimulate traffic demand, CAG will invest in destination marketing campaigns to promote Singapore in major source markets like Australia, China, India, Indonesia and Russia. CAG will work with the Singapore Tourism Board as well as travel partners in these markets to increase the awareness of Singapore and spur travel demand from these countries. These efforts will also support the development of new city links to Singapore.

Recognising the increasing manpower challenges faced by the ground handling and security agencies at Changi Airport, CAG is stepping up its effort to work with them to raise productivity levels of their workforce. It will commit funds to support enhancements that reduce these agencies manpower requirements and optimise the efficiency of their operations at Changi.

GAIN provides temporary relief for airlines while laying the foundation for more efficient operations at Changi Airport in the years ahead. CAGs incentives and support programmes beyond the coming year will be calibrated depending on how traffic patterns at Changi Airport and how the operating conditions of airlines in the region develop.

While passenger traffic at Changi Airport has grown strongly since the industrys recovery following the global financial crisis in 2008-09, a number of market factors some unique to the region contributed to traffic at Changi registering year-on-year declines in February and March this year.

Currency movements have seen the rise of a

Changi Airport unveils plans to become an even more attractive airline hub