SINGAPORE. Singapore Changi Airport experienced record passenger traffic last year.
The airport, which celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2006, handled 35.03 million passengers, an +8% year-on-year increase.
December was the airport’s busiest month, when it handled some 3.42 million passengers, up by +10.1% on the same period in 2005. Over 100,000 travellers passed through the airport almost every day of the month.
The number of weekly scheduled flights reached 4,199, a new record for the airport. Changi is connected to more than 180 cities in 57 countries by over 80 airlines. In 2006 seven new airlines joined the Changi network: Shanghai Airlines Cargo, Egypt Air, Cebu Pacific, South African Airways, Air India Express, Jetstar Airways and Air Madagascar.
At a reception to mark the results, Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, commented: “Last year was a challenging year for the global airline industry. High fuel prices and the continuing threat of terrorist attacks have made the aviation environment more complex and challenging. Nevertheless, as one Changi team, we have risen above these challenges to continue to provide travellers with a high level of service and a vibrant travel experience.”
2006 saw the completion of Terminal Two’s upgrading, as well as the opening of the Budget Terminal and a new luxury terminal for “˜Commercially-Important Persons’. A new terminal, T3, will open in early 2008 and upgrading work on T1 will begin in the third quarter of 2007.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is currently tendering the liquor & tobacco concession across all existing and new terminals, with fragrances & cosmetics set to follow soon.
