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WHILE CHANGI AIRPORT remains the main hub for air travel passengers, a new SGD80 million (US$58 million) passenger terminal is set to open later this year to take on some of the traffic.
The new terminal will provide more space for Singapore’s air traffic and free up capacity at Changi Airport for larger planes as it will handle scheduled turboprop flights.
One such airline that operates turboprop flights is Firefly, a unit of Malaysia’s flag carrier Malaysia Airlines.
The low-cost, no-frills subsidiary current operates a total of 20 daily turboprop flights to and from Subang, Ipoh, and Kuantan at Changi Airport.
The move will benefit Firefly passengers as well, as they will only need to pay SGD29 (US$21) in airport fees and levies when the airline moves to Seletar, as compared to the SGD47.30 (US$35) at Changi Airport.
Aerial view of RAF Seletar in late 1945. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Seletar Airport, the island city-state’s first international airport, was originally completed in 1928 as a flying Royal Air Force station (RAF Seletar).
It was built with the labor of Samsui women, which broadly refers to a group of Chinese immigrants who came to Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia pre-independence) and Singapore between the 1920s and 1940s.
After the World War II, RAF Seletar played an active role in supporting operations related to the Malayan Emergency (1947 to 1960) and the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation (1963 to 1966).
It later became Singapore’s only other civil international airport that isn’t Changi Airport, serving private jets and flight training.
For example, in 2001, A-list Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz arrived at Seletar Airport on a private jet to promote their science fiction psychological thriller film Vanilla Sky.
Microsoft founder Bill Gates and top-selling record artiste Bruno Mars have also been spotted at the airport, according to The Straits Times.
The new spacious departure gatehold room. Source: Changi Airport Group.
In 2007, plans were set to upgrade the airport and develop its surrounding area to become what is now known as Seletar Aerospace Park.
This includes extending the airport’s runway to 1,800 meters, a new control tower and fire station, a double of the number of parking stands, additional taxiways and upgraded aircraft parking aprons.
Changi Airport Group took over the management of the airport on July 1, 2009.
Here’s what you can expect from the SGD80 million (US$58 million) facelift:
- The new facility is six times bigger than the current terminal and will be able to handle up to 700,000 passengers a year.
- The departure area will have four check-in counters, six immigration lanes, two security screening stations and a gatehold room big enough for about 200 passengers.
- A separate section with a dedicated check-in and waiting area will serve passengers traveling on chartered business flights and private jets.
- The landscape garden next to the entrance of the new terminal, visible from both the departure and arrival halls, provides a calm oasis for the enjoyment of passengers and visitors alike.
- Three aircraft parking stands will be positioned right next to the terminal, allowing passengers to quickly board and disembark from the plane.
It is not known as of yet if the refurbishment will include the addition of other facilities such as shops, restaurants, or cafes. But we’ll find out in due time.
The Seletar Aerospace Park currently houses more than 60 aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul firms.
The new terminal is slated to open in December 2018.
The post What you need to know about Singapore’s other airport appeared first on Travel Wire Asia.
Source: travelwireasia.com