Changi Airport

Main commercial airport in Singapore From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Changi Airport[c] (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) is the main international airport of Singapore, and functions as one of the most significant aviation gateways in the Asia-Pacific region. Situated within the Changi planning area in the eastern part of the country, the airport is approximately 24 km (15 mi) east from the Central Area and occupies a site spanning about 25 km2 (9.7 sq mi).[8] The airport is a base for more than 100 international carriers with scheduled services linking Singapore to destinations across Asia, Oceania, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and North America.[9] As of 2025, Changi Airport handled about 70 million passengers and ranked the 16th busiest airport by passenger traffic[10] as well as the 4th busiest international airport by seat volume based on OAG's records.[11]

Airport typePublic / Military
ServesSingapore
Quick facts Lapangan Terbang Changi 樟宜机场சாங்கி விமான நிலையம், Summary ...
Changi Airport
Lapangan Terbang Changi
樟宜机场
சாங்கி விமான நிலையம்
Summary
Airport typePublic / Military
OwnerSingapore Government[1]
OperatorChangi Airport Group[2]
ServesSingapore
LocationChangi, East Region, Singapore
Opened
  • 1 July 1981 (1981-07-01) (Soft launch)
  • 29 December 1981 (1981-12-29) (Officially)
Hub for
Time zoneSST (UTC+08:00)
Elevation AMSL6.65 m / 22 ft
Coordinates1°21′33″N 103°59′22″E
Websitewww.changiairport.com
Maps
SIN/WSSS is located in Singapore
SIN/WSSS
SIN/WSSS
Location in Singapore
SIN/WSSS is located in Southeast Asia
SIN/WSSS
SIN/WSSS
SIN/WSSS (Southeast Asia)
SIN/WSSS is located in Asia
SIN/WSSS
SIN/WSSS
SIN/WSSS (Asia)
Interactive map of Changi Airport
Runways
Direction Length Surface
m ft
02L/20R[a] 4,000 13,123 Asphalt concrete
02C/20C[b] 4,000 13,123 Asphalt concrete
02R/20L 4,000 13,123 Asphalt concrete
Statistics (2025 unless indicated otherwise)
Passenger movementsIncrease 69,980,000
Cargo movements (tonnes)Increase 2,080,000
Aircraft movementsIncrease 374,000
Economic impact (2017)US$13.3 billion[5]
Social impact (2017)119,000[5]
Sources: Changi Airport Group;[6] WAD[7]
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Changi Airport serves as the headquarters for several aviation and ground handling entities. It is the home base of Singapore Airlines, the nation's flag carrier, along with its associated subsidiaries Singapore Airlines Cargo and Scoot, a regional low-cost carrier. The airport also hosts the operations of BOC Aviation, a major aircraft leasing firm. Ground and catering services are provided by SATS and dnata Singapore (former CIAS), whose facilities are located within the airport precincts. Owing to Singapore's central geographical location and high volume of international transit traffic, the airport has also been designated a principal cargo hub by FedEx Express, reinforcing its logistical and commercial importance within global air transport networks.[3][12] The airport is managed by the Changi Airport Group, a corporate entity wholly owned by the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Singapore.

The airfield infrastructure comprises three operational runways, each measuring 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) in length. While the main airport code is WSSS, the third runway, designated 02R/20L, was formerly part of the adjacent Changi Air Base (East) and used by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), carrying the ICAO code WSAC.[13][14][15] The terminal complex includes four passenger terminals, of which Terminals 1, 2 and 3 are directly connected to Jewel Changi Airport, a mixed-use development featuring retail, dining and entertainment facilities integrated with airport infrastructure.

Overview

Map of Changi Airport

Changi Airport serves more than 100 airlines flying to 170 cities in around 100+ countries and territories worldwide. About 7,000 flights arrive or depart at Changi each week, or one every 80 seconds.

For the 2025 full-year figures published by the airport, the airport handled 69,980,000 passengers (a 3.4% increase compared to 2024), the most in its 44- year history.[16] This made it the fourth busiest international airport in the world and the seventh busiest in Asia Pacific. In December 2025, Changi Airport registered a total of 6.3 million passenger movements, with 20 December marking the year’s busiest day at 223,000 passengers across its terminals. In addition to being an important passenger hub, the airport is also one of the busiest  cargo  airports  in  the  world,  handling 2.08 million tonnes of air freight in 2025.[10] Aircraft movements, comprising both landings and take-offs, increased 2.2% year-on-year to 374,000 movements in 2025.[16]

The airport has won over 700 awards since its opening, including 28 "Best Airport" awards in 2025 alone.[16] Changi Airport's efforts to mitigate the effects of ageing infrastructure include continual physical upgrades to its existing terminals and building new facilities to maintain its high standards in airport service quality.[17] In 2026, Changi Airport also ranked fourth as one of the top 10 brands in Singapore in YouGov's Best Brands Rankings 2026 report.[18]

History

Conception

The Airbus A300 (9V-STF) of Singapore Airlines staying at Changi Airport (1983)

Prior to Changi, Singapore's main international airport was located at Paya Lebar. It had opened in 1955 with a single runway and a small passenger terminal, having itself replaced the previous Kallang Airport that began operations in 1937. The decision to move the airport from Paya Lebar to Changi was based on a number of factors.[19] With the growth in global aviation transport, the airport was facing congestion problems. Its inability to cope with the rising traffic became critical by the 1970s; annual passenger numbers rose dramatically from 300,000 in 1955 to 1.7 million in 1970 and to 4 million in 1975. As a result, there was a need to accommodate the growing demand for air travel, the desire to establish Singapore as a global aviation hub, and the need to modernise the country's air transport infrastructure.[20]

The Singaporean government had two options – expand the existing airport at Paya Lebar or build a new airport at another location. After extensive studies, a decision was made in 1972 to keep the airport at Paya Lebar, as recommended by aviation consultants. Plans were made for the building of a second runway and an extensive redevelopment and expansion to the passenger terminal building. A year later, however, the plans were reviewed again as the pressure to expand the airport eased because of the 1973 oil crisis.[20]

Concerned that the existing airport was located in an area with potential for urban growth, which would physically hem it in on all sides, the government subsequently decided in 1975 to build a new airport at the eastern tip of the main island at Changi, at the existing site of Changi Air Base. However, as there was an increase in traffic, the airport still had to be expanded at that time. In addition, aircraft could fly over the sea, avoiding noise pollution issues within residential areas and avoid disastrous consequences on the ground in the event of an air mishap. Formerly known as the Singapore International Airport, the airport in Paya Lebar was subsequently converted for military use and renamed as Paya Lebar Air Base.[20]

Construction

The original master plan for Changi Airport involved constructing a dual-terminal and dual-runway configuration over two phases with provisions for another two passenger terminals in the future. Phase 1 included the construction for the first passenger terminal, the first runway reusing and upgrading the main runway of Changi Air Base, 45 aircraft parking bays, support facilities and structures, including a large maintenance hangar, a fire station, workshops and administrative offices, an airfreight complex, two cargo agents buildings, in-flight catering kitchens and an 80 m (260 ft) control tower. Construction for the second phase would commence immediately after the completion of Phase 1 and include the second runway, 23 new aircraft parking bays in addition to the existing 45 bays, a second fire station and a third cargo agent building.[20][21]

Changi Airport commenced commercial operations on 1 July 1981.[22] Its first flight, Singapore Airlines SQ101, touched down that day at 7:10:00am Singapore Time with 140 passengers from Kuala Lumpur.[22] It officially opened five months later on 29 December 1981. The airport ended its first year of operations with 12.1 million passengers, close to 200,000 tonnes of air freight handled and 63,100 aircraft movements. Subsequent phases opened progressively within the next few decades, with Terminal 2 opening for passenger traffic in 1990, Terminal 3 in 2008, and Terminal 4 in 2017. Terminal 5 is expected to open in mid-2030s.[23]

Terminals

Passenger terminals

Terminal 1
Terminal 2
The Wonderfall at Changi Airport Terminal 2
The Wonderfall at Terminal 2
Terminal 3
Aerial view of Singapore Changi Airport in 2011. The forested area to the right of the airport has since been cleared for Terminal 5

Changi Airport has four main passenger terminals arranged with Jewel located in the centre of Terminals 1, 2 and 3. Currently, the airport has an operational capacity of 90 million passengers per annum (mppa) across four terminals. [24]

More information Terminal, Date of opening ...
Terminal Date of opening Location
Terminal 1 1 July 1981[25] Northern end
Terminal 2 22 November 1990[26] Eastern end
Terminal 3 9 January 2008[27][28] Western end
Terminal 4 31 October 2017[29] Southern end
Terminal 5 Mid-2030s Southeastern end
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There is also a privately Commercially-Important-Person (CIP) luxury terminal called the JetQuay CIP Terminal. It is similar to the Lufthansa First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport, but is open to all passengers travelling in all classes on all airlines with an access fee.[30]

The short-lived Budget Terminal was opened on 26 March 2006 and closed on 25 September 2012 to make way for Terminal 4.[31]

Terminal 5 is currently under construction. The new terminal is expected to be completed by 2030.[32]

Future terminals and projects

Terminal 5 (T5) is currently under construction. The Prime Minister of Singapore and Minister of Finance, Mr Lawrence Wong, officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for Changi Airport T5 on 14 May 2025.[33] The new terminal is expected to be ready by the mid-2030s.[23]

Terminal 5 is expected to handle 50 million passenger movements per annum for Changi Airport.[34] It will be built on reclaimed land to the east of the present terminals. It will be partially funded through an increased levy.[35] KPF Singapore with Heatherwick Studio and Architects 61 will provide architectural services. Arup Singapore, Mott MacDonald Singapore and Surbana Jurong Consultants will provide engineering services while DP Architects will provide retail design services. The former Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said that the Changi Terminal 5 project was delayed by at least 2 years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.[36]

Mixed-use facilities

The Rain Vortex at Jewel Changi Airport

Jewel Changi Airport, which opened on 17 April 2019, is a nature-themed entertainment and retail complex interconnecting Terminals 1, 2 and 3.[37] Announced in 2013, it is a new terminal-like structure that is intended to simultaneously be a mixed-use complex.[38] It is situated on a 3.5-hectare site where the Terminal 1 car park used to reside, which has since been moved underground. Jewel was developed by Jewel Changi Airport Trustee Pte Ltd, a joint venture between Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand, through its wholly owned shopping mall business, CapitaLand Mall Asia.[39] The project cost S$1.7 billion.[40]

Part of this project was planned to help expand Terminal 1 to handle 24 million passengers per year by 2018 with stand-alone check-in facilities and lounges. The indoor waterfall (named "Rain Vortex") in the structure holds the World Record for the tallest indoor waterfall in the world at 40m high, cascading down 7 storeys.[41]

Cargo terminal

The Air Hub & Cargo Developlment department of the Changi Airport Group (CAG) manages the Changi Airfreight Centre[42] located in the north of the airport premises.[43]

In 2025, Changi Airport handled 2,080,000 tonnes of air freight, achieving one of its strongest cargo performance on record. The top five air cargo markets in 2025 were China, the United States, Australia, Hong Kong, and India.[16]

Recent cargo volumes at Changi Airport have been heavily driven by global demand for semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) technology, electric vehicles, and cleantech.[16]

Changi Airport is consistently honoured at the Asian Freight Logistics and Supply Chain (AFLAS) Awards. Changi has an exceptional track record with this awarding body, having previously won "Best Airport in Asia" for over 27 consecutive years.[44] Changi Airport has been inducted into the Cargonews Asia Hall of Fame for its unprecedented, sustained excellence as a premier airfreight hub. [44]

Operations

Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) was formed on 16 June 2009 upon the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport by Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore as the licensee and operator of the airport.[45][46]

Passenger operations

As the airport only handles international passenger traffic, all terminals in operation are equipped with immigration-processing facilities for international travel.

After recovering from a drop in passenger traffic as a result of the September 11 attacks in 2001 and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) epidemic in 2003, the airport saw rapid growth in traffic, which hit the 30-million mark for the first time in 2004. In March 2008, prior to the full effect of the 2008 financial crisis on the global economy, the airport was predicted to handle 50 million passengers by 2012[47] due to the opening of casinos in Singapore and the phased liberalisation of the ASEAN aviation sector. As predicted, the airport surpassed the 50-million mark in 2012.[17]

On 18 December 2017, the airport surpassed the 60-million mark for the first time.[48][49] The airport saw a record 65.6 million passenger movements in 2018 – beating 2017's record of 60 million passengers with a 5.5 per cent increase.[50]

In 2019, Firefly, the sole turboprop operator in Changi Airport, moved to Seletar Airport to make way for their jet operations.[51][52][53]

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, passenger traffic fell in 2020 and 2021, resulting in Terminals 2 and 4 closing temporarily in May 2020.[54] Terminals 1 and 3 remained open for passengers throughout, but were closed to the general public on 12 May 2021 along with Jewel, reopening on 1 September 2021.[55] On 1 November 2023, Terminal 2 fully reopened after three and a half years of upgrading. The refurbished terminal features nature-themed decorations and a 14m-tall digital waterfall display called the Wonderfall.[56]

Safety and security

Singapore Airport Emergency Services Griffon

The Changi Airport Group (CAG) manages the overall safety and security of the airport. The Airport Management Division of the CAG manages the customer aspects of the airport's security, while the Aviation Security Unit oversees the airport's compliance with aviation security (AVSEC) policies, and manages AVSEC-related projects.[43] The airport's emergency and fire-fighting services are handled by the Airport Emergency Service Division.[57] The Airport Emergency Services handle all instances of rescue and fire-fighting within the airport premises as well as in surrounding waters. It operates from three main fire stations (Station 1 by Runway 1 along West Perimeter Road and Station 2 by Runway 2 and Station 3 by Runway 3), one sub-station (Domestic Fire Station), and one sea rescue base near the airport.[58]

The airport's security comes under the regulatory purview of the Airport Police Division of the Singapore Police Force (SPF). The day to day discharge of security functions at the airport is performed by auxiliary police forces including Aetos Security Management, Certis (former CISCO) and SATS Security Services. Aetos and SATS Security Services are affiliated to the ground handling companies of dnata and SATS respectively.[59] On 29 April 2008, CAAS signed its then-biggest single security contract for all airport-related security services by engaging Certis CISCO to provide security services at Singapore Changi Airport, as well as Seletar Airport, Changi Airfreight Centre, and the Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre.[60] It involves the deployment of about 2,600 Certis Cisco personnel, including armed Auxiliary Police Officers and unarmed aviation security officers to perform tasks such as screening checked baggage, controlling access to restricted areas, and screening passengers before they board their aircraft.[61]

Since the September 11 attacks and the naming of the airport as a terrorist target by the Jemaah Islamiyah, the airport's security was tightened.[62][63] Prohibited items include sharp/blunt objects and liquids/gels/aerosols above 100ml. Devices larger than 7 inches are still needed to be removed for security screening. Duty-free shops that sells liquor are exempted from regulations.[63]

Airlines and destinations

Key markets and destinations

In 2025, China was the largest market for the airport, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and India. Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali) and Hong Kong were the busiest routes for the year.[16]

Passenger

More information Airlines, Destinations ...
AirlinesDestinations
Aero Dili Dili[64]
Air Canada Vancouver[65][66]
Air China Beijing–Capital,[67] Chengdu–Tianfu,[68] Chongqing,[69][70] Shanghai–Pudong[71]
Air France Paris–Charles de Gaulle[72]
Air India Chennai,[73] Delhi,[73] Mumbai–Shivaji[73]
Air India Express Tiruchirappalli[74]
Air Japan Tokyo–Narita (ends 29 March 2026)[75]
Air Macau Macau[76]
Air New Zealand Auckland[77]
Air Niugini Port Moresby[78]
AirAsia Kota Kinabalu,[79] Kuala Lumpur–International,[79] Kuching,[79] Langkawi,[79] Penang[79]
Aircalin Nouméa[80]
All Nippon Airways Tokyo–Haneda,[81] Tokyo–Narita[81]
Asiana Airlines Seoul–Incheon[82]
Bangkok Airways Koh Samui[83][84]
Batik Air Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[85] Medan[85]
Batik Air Malaysia Ipoh,[86] Kota Kinabalu,[87] Kuala Lumpur–International,[86] Kuala Lumpur–Subang,[86] Penang[86]
Biman Bangladesh Airlines Dhaka[88]
British Airways London–Heathrow[89]
Cambodia Airways Sanya[90]
Cathay Pacific Hong Kong[91]
Cebu Pacific Cebu,[92] Clark,[93] Iloilo,[92] Manila[92]
China Airlines Kaohsiung,[94] Taipei–Taoyuan[95]
China Eastern Airlines Changsha,[96] Beijing–Daxing,[97] Hangzhou,[98] Hefei,[99] Kunming,[100] Nanchang,[101] Ningbo,[102] Shanghai–Pudong,[103] Wuhan,[104] Xi'an[105]
China Southern Airlines Changsha,[106] Guangzhou,[106] Shenzhen[107]
Chongqing Airlines Chongqing[108]
Citilink Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[109]
Drukair Guwahati,[110] Paro[110]
Emirates Dubai–International,[111] Phnom Penh[112]
Ethiopian Airlines Addis Ababa,[113] Kuala Lumpur–International[114]
Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi[115]
EVA Air Taipei–Taoyuan[95]
Fiji Airways Nadi[116]
Finnair Helsinki[117]
Firefly Kuala Lumpur–International[118]
Garuda Indonesia Denpasar,[119] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[120]
Gulf Air Bahrain[121][122]
Hainan Airlines Changchun,[123] Haikou,[124] Lanzhou,[125] Yichang[125]
IndiGo Bengaluru,[126] Chennai,[126] Coimbatore,[127] Delhi,[128] Hyderabad,[129] Kolkata,[126] Mumbai–Shivaji,[130] Tiruchirappali,[126] Vijayawada[131]
Indonesia AirAsia Denpasar,[132] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[133]
Japan Airlines Tokyo–Haneda,[134] Tokyo–Narita[134]
Jeju Air Busan,[135] Seoul–Incheon[136]
Jetstar Denpasar,[137] Melbourne,[138] Newcastle (begins 30 March 2026),[139] Perth,[140] Sunshine Coast (begins 25 March 2026)[141]
Juneyao Air Shanghai–Pudong,[142] Wuxi[143]
KLM Amsterdam,[144] Denpasar[144]
Korean Air Seoul–Incheon[82]
Loong Air Hangzhou,[145] Wenzhou,[146] Zhangjiajie[147]
Lufthansa Frankfurt,[148] Munich[149]
Malaysia Airlines Kuala Lumpur–International[150]
MIAT Mongolian Airlines Ulaanbaatar[151]
Myanmar Airways International Yangon[152]
Myanmar National Airlines Yangon[153]
Oman Air Muscat (resumes 2 July 2026)[154]
Peach Osaka–Kansai[155]
Pelita Air Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[156]
Philippine Airlines Manila[157]
Qantas Brisbane,[158] Darwin,[158] London–Heathrow,[158] Melbourne,[158] Perth,[158] Sydney[158]
Qatar Airways Doha[159]
Saudia Denpasar,[160] Jeddah[161]
Scoot Amritsar,[162] Athens,[162] Balikpapan,[162] Bandung–Kertajati,[162][163] Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi,[162] Cebu,[162] Changsha,[162][164] Chennai,[162][165] Chiang Mai,[162] Chiang Rai,[166] Clark,[162] Coimbatore,[162] Da Nang,[167] Davao,[162] Denpasar,[162] Fuzhou,[162] Guangzhou,[162] Haikou,[162][168] Hangzhou,[162][169] Hanoi,[162] Hat Yai,[162] Ho Chi Minh City,[162] Hong Kong,[162] Iloilo,[162][170] Ipoh,[162] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[162] Jeddah,[162] Jeju,[162][171] Jieyang,[162][172] Koh Samui,[162][173] Kota Bharu,[167] Kota Kinabalu,[162] Krabi,[162] Kuala Lumpur–International,[174] Kuala Lumpur–Subang,[175] Kuantan,[162][176] Kuching,[162] Kunming,[162][164] Labuan Bajo,[177] Langkawi,[178] Lombok,[162][179] Macau,[162] Makassar,[162][169] Malacca,[162][180] Manado,[162] Manila,[162] Medan,[177] Melbourne,[162] Miri,[162] Naha,[166] Nanjing,[162] Nanning,[162][168] Nha Trang,[167] Osaka–Kansai,[162] Padang,[162][172] Palembang,[177] Pekanbaru,[162][169][176] Perth,[162] Penang,[178] Phu Quoc,[172] Phuket,[162] Qingdao,[162] Sapporo–Chitose,[162] Semarang,[177] Seoul–Incheon,[162] Shenyang,[162][168] Sibu,[162][173] Surabaya,[162] Sydney,[162] Tanjung Pandan (begins 2 May 2026),[181] Taipei–Taoyuan,[162] Thiruvananthapuram,[162] Tianjin,[162] Tiruchirappalli,[162] Tokyo–Haneda,[166] Tokyo–Narita,[162] Vienna,[162][182] Vientiane,[162] Visakhapatnam,[162] Wuhan,[162][169] Xi'an,[162][168] Yogyakarta–International,[162][179] Zhengzhou[162][169]
Shandong Airlines Jinan[183]
Shenzhen Airlines Harbin,[184] Shenzhen[185]
Sichuan Airlines Chengdu–Tianfu[186]
Singapore Airlines Adelaide,[162] Ahmedabad,[162] Amsterdam,[162] Auckland,[162] Bandar Seri Begawan,[162] Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi,[162] Barcelona,[162] Beijing–Capital,[162] Beijing–Daxing,[187] Bengaluru,[162] Brisbane,[162] Brussels,[162][188] Busan,[162] Cairns,[162] Cape Town,[162] Cebu,[162] Chengdu–Tianfu,[162][189][190] Chennai,[162] Chongqing,[162][189][191] Christchurch,[162] Colombo–Bandaranaike,[162] Copenhagen,[162] Da Nang,[162] Darwin,[162] Delhi,[162] Denpasar,[162] Dhaka, Dubai–International,[162] Frankfurt,[162] Fukuoka,[162] Guangzhou,[162] Hanoi,[162] Ho Chi Minh City,[162] Hong Kong,[162] Hyderabad,[162] Istanbul,[162] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta,[162][192] Johannesburg–O. R. Tambo,[193] Kathmandu,[162] Kochi,[162] Kolkata,[162] Kuala Lumpur–International,[194] London–Gatwick,[162][195] London–Heathrow,[162] Los Angeles,[162] Malé,[162] Manchester,[162] Manila,[162] Medan,[162] Melbourne,[162] Milan–Malpensa,[162] Mumbai–Shivaji,[162] Munich,[162] Nagoya–Centrair,[162] New York–JFK,[162] Newark,[162] Osaka–Kansai,[162] Paris–Charles de Gaulle,[162] Penang,[196] Perth,[162] Phnom Penh,[162][197] Phuket,[162] Riyadh (resumes 2 June 2026),[198] Rome–Fiumicino,[162] San Francisco,[162] Seattle/Tacoma,[162] Seoul–Incheon,[162] Shanghai–Pudong,[162] Shenzhen,[162][190] Siem Reap,[162][199] Surabaya,[162] Sydney,[162] Taipei–Taoyuan,[162] Tokyo–Haneda,[162] Tokyo–Narita,[162] Xiamen,[162][190] Yangon,[162] Zurich[162]
Seasonal: Sapporo–Chitose[citation needed]
Spring Airlines Guangzhou (resumes 21 May 2026),[200] Shanghai–Pudong[201]
SriLankan Airlines Colombo–Bandaranaike[202]
Starlux Airlines Taipei–Taoyuan[95]
Swiss International Air Lines Zurich[203]
T'way Air Jeju,[204] Seoul–Incheon[205]
Thai AirAsia Bangkok–Don Mueang[206]
Thai Airways International Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi[206]
Thai Lion Air Bangkok–Don Mueang,[206] Phuket[207]
Tianjin Airlines Guiyang[208]
TransNusa Denpasar,[209] Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta[210]
Turkish Airlines Istanbul,[211] Melbourne[211]
United Airlines San Francisco[212]
US-Bangla Airlines Dhaka[213]
VietJet Air Da Nang,[214][215] Hanoi,[216][217] Ho Chi Minh City,[218][217] Phu Quoc[219]
Vietnam Airlines Hanoi,[216] Ho Chi Minh City[218]
West Air Chongqing,[220] Lhasa[220]
XiamenAir Fuzhou,[221] Hangzhou,[222] Quanzhou,[223] Xiamen [224]
Zipair Tokyo Tokyo–Narita[225]
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Cargo

More information Airlines, Destinations ...
AirlinesDestinations
AeroLogic[226] Bahrain, Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi,[citation needed] Bengaluru,[citation needed] Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Leipzig/Halle
Air Atlanta Icelandic[citation needed] Dubai–Al Maktoum, Frankfurt, Hahn, Hong Kong, Johannesburg–O. R. Tambo, Liège, Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta, Seoul–Incheon
Air Hong Kong Hong Kong[227]
Asia Cargo Airlines[228] Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Beirut, Dili, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta, Kuala Lumpur–International, Macau, Manila, Zurich
Asiana Cargo[229] Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul–Incheon
Atlas Air[230] Amsterdam, Liège, Seoul–Incheon, Tokyo–Narita, Xiamen
Cargolux[citation needed] Anchorage, Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Chicago–O'Hare, Dubai–Al Maktoum, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur–International, Los Angeles, Luxembourg, Riyadh, Taipei–Taoyuan, Zhengzhou
Cathay Cargo[citation needed] Hanoi, Hong Kong, Penang, Phnom Penh
China Cargo Airlines[citation needed] Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Shanghai–Pudong
DHL Aviation Cincinnati,[231] Darwin,[citation needed] Honolulu,[231] Los Angeles,[231] Melbourne,[231] Sydney,[231] Taipei–Taoyuan[232]
Emirates SkyCargo Dubai–Al Maktoum,[233] Hong Kong,[citation needed] Melbourne[citation needed]
EVA Air Cargo Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi,[citation needed] Penang,[citation needed] Taipei–Taoyuan[234]
FedEx Express[citation needed] Anchorage,[235] Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Clark, Dubai–International, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta, Memphis, Oakland, Osaka–Kansai, Paris–Charles de Gaulle, Penang, Sydney,[236] Taipei–Taoyuan, Tokyo–Narita
Hong Kong Air Cargo Hong Kong[237]
JD Airlines Shenzhen[238]
K-Mile Air[citation needed] Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta
Kalitta Air[citation needed] Bahrain, Cincinnati, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Nagoya–Centrair, Sydney
Korean Air Cargo[citation needed] Kuala Lumpur–International, Manila, Penang, Seoul–Incheon
My Indo Airlines[citation needed] Balikpapan, Bandar Seri Begawan, Haikou,[239] Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta–Soekarno-Hatta, Kuala Lumpur–International, Semarang, Shenzhen, Surabaya[240]
MY Jet Xpress Airlines[citation needed] Kuala Lumpur–International, Penang
Nippon Cargo Airlines Bangkok–Suvarnabhumi, Hong Kong, Tokyo–Narita[241]
Polar Air Cargo[226] Anchorage, Cincinnati, Hong Kong, Nagoya–Centrair, Seoul–Incheon, Taipei–Taoyuan, Tokyo–Narita
Qatar Cargo[citation needed] Doha, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Macau,[citation needed] Melbourne, Nagoya–Centrair, Osaka–Kansai[citation needed]
SF Airlines Haikou, Hangzhou,[242][243] Shenzhen
Silk Way West Airlines[citation needed] Baku, Cairo, Port Moresby
Singapore Airlines Cargo[244] Amsterdam, Anchorage, Auckland, Beijing–Capital, Bengaluru, Brussels, Chennai, Chengdu–Tianfu, Chongqing, Dallas/Fort Worth, Delhi, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Johannesburg–O. R. Tambo, London–Heathrow, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Mumbai–Shivaji, Nairobi–Jomo Kenyatta, Shanghai–Pudong, Sharjah, Shenzhen, Sydney, Taipei–Taoyuan
Suparna Airlines Cargo[citation needed] Shanghai–Pudong, Tianjin
Tasman Cargo Airlines Melbourne[245]
Tianjin Air Cargo Nanning,[246] Sanya[247]
UPS Airlines[citation needed] Anchorage, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Louisville, Penang, Seoul–Incheon, Shenzhen, Sydney
YTO Cargo Airlines Hangzhou,[248] Huai'an
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Red for passenger destinations, blue for cargo-only destinations. As of February 2026.
Entrance to Changi Airport MRT station from Terminal 3
A public bus at the Terminal 2 basement bus bay

Terminals 1, 2 and 3 of the airport are linked by the free Skytrain service, operating daily from 05:00 to 02:00. During non-operational hours, travellers within the transit areas may transfer between terminals on foot via inter-terminal travelators, while those in the public areas can use the Mezzanine Level link bridges between T2 and T3, and the link bridge to travel on foot between T1 and T2/T3. Terminal 4 is accessible by a complimentary shuttle bus services at both public and transit areas. The shuttle bus journey between terminals at the public area takes about 10 minutes and the shuttle bus journey between terminals at the transit area takes between 10 to 18 minutes.[249]

The airport is served by the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) via a branch of the East West MRT line (EWL) from Tanah Merah MRT station with stops at Expo and Changi Airport, which lies underground between Terminals 2 and 3. Under the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) Masterplan, the Thomson-East Coast MRT line (TEL) will be extended to serve both Terminal 5 and the existing Changi Airport station, with the EWL branch set to be integrated into the TEL.[250] On 25 July 2025, LTA announced a new Cross Island Line (CRL) interchange station CR1 Changi Terminal 5, which will directly connect the upcoming Changi Airport Terminal 5 to the city centre and other major hubs via the Thomson-East Coast Line extension (TELe) and the CRL.[251]

Eight public bus services operated by SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Tower Transit Singapore and Go-Ahead Singapore serve the airport in a loop through Terminals 1, 2 and 3, with Services 24, 34, 36, 44 (only during peak hours)[252] and 110 continuing to Terminal 4. Bus stops are found at the basement bus bays of the main terminals, while Terminal 4's stop is located beside Car Park 4B. Taxis can be hired at designated stands in the arrival halls, with an airport surcharge applicable for all journeys originating there.[253] Limousines and other transport options are available through the Ground Transport Concierge.[254] Private pick-ups occur at the terminals' arrival areas, and car rental counters are found in each arrival hall.[255][256][257] The 3.5 km (2.2 mi) long Changi Airport Connector, launched in October 2020, links the airport to East Coast Park and features the 1 km (0.62 mi) Changi Jurassic Mile trail with life-sized dinosaur sculptures.[258][259] The Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal is connected to the airport by shuttle buses.[260] A direct link to Terminal 5 is currently being studied.[261]

Awards

As one of the world's busiest airports for international passenger and cargo traffic, the airport has earned widespread acclaim for its service standards and facilities. It has been named the "World's Best Airport" by Skytrax thirteen times, including an unprecedented eight consecutive wins from 2013 to 2020. The airport is also consistently recognised for cleanliness, efficiency and seamless transit experience, having ranked highly in categories such as cleanest airport, best transit airport, best airport staff and immigration services. In 2024, Changi placed second globally in all three of the latter categories.[262][263]

In 2025, Changi once again topped the Skytrax global rankings, adding a thirteenth title to its previous wins in 2000, 2006, 2010, 2013 to 2020 and 2023.[264] Its reputation extends beyond the terminals, with the on-site Crowne Plaza voted the world's best airport hotel ten times, covering the years 2015 to 2020 and 2022 to 2025.[265]

Operational statistics

More information Operational statistics (1980–1989), Year ...
Operational statistics (1980–1989)
Year Passenger
movements
Passenger %
change over
previous year
Airfreight
movements
(tonnes)
Airfreight %
change over
previous year
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft %
change over
previous year
Notes
19807,294,549Steady 0.0N/aN/a75,971Steady 0.0
19818,152,158Increase 11.7%N/aN/a71,365Decrease 6.1%
19828,611,812Increase 5.6%N/aN/a68,159Decrease 4.5%
19838,679,152Increase 0.8%N/aN/a67,594Decrease 0.8%
19849,465,651Increase 9.1%N/aN/a70,674Increase 4.5%
19859,856,830Increase 4.1%N/aN/a73,223Increase 3.6%
198610,067,719Increase 2.1%352,806Steady 0.073,022Decrease 0.3%
198711,203,793Increase 11.3%419,099Increase 18.8%76,276Increase 4.5%
198812,595,286Increase 12.4%512,509Increase 22.3%82,930Increase 8.7%
198914,136,367Increase 12.3%577,610Increase 12.7%87,421Increase 5.4%
Sources:[266][267][268]
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More information Operational statistics (1990–1999), Year ...
Operational statistics (1990–1999)
Year Passenger
movements
Passenger %
change over
previous year
Airfreight
movements
(tonnes)
Airfreight %
change over
previous year
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft %
change over
previous year
Notes
199015,620,758Increase 10.5%623,841Increase 8.0%97,675Increase 11.7%
199116,285,039Increase 4.3%643,209Increase 3.1%108,728Increase 11.3%
199218,100,155Increase 11.1%719,004Increase 11.7%125,526Increase 15.4%
199319,987,214Increase 10.4%838,416Increase 16.6%136,762Increase 8.9%
199421,644,677Increase 8.3%1,009,764Increase 20.4%145,334Increase 6.3%
199523,196,240Increase 7.2%1,105,773Increase 9.5%156,334Increase 7.6%
199624,514,248Increase 5.7%1,190,457Increase 7.6%166,749Increase 6.7%
199725,174,344Increase 2.7%1,336,254Increase 12.2%172,672Increase 3.5%
199823,803,180Decrease 5.4%1,283,660Decrease 4.0%165,242Decrease 4.3%1997 Asian financial crisis
199926,064,645Increase 9.51,500,393Increase 16.8165,961Increase 0.4
Sources:[269][267][268]
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More information Operational statistics (2000–2009), Year ...
Operational statistics (2000–2009)
Year Passenger
movements
Passenger %
change over
previous year
Airfreight
movements
(tonnes)
Airfreight %
change over
previous year
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft %
change over
previous year
Notes
200028,618,200Increase 9.81,682,489Increase 12.1173,947Increase 4.8
200128,093,759Decrease 1.831,507,062Decrease 11.6179,359Increase 3.1September 11 attacks
200228,979,344Increase 3.21,637,797Increase 8.7174,820Decrease 2.5
200324,664,137Decrease 14.91,611,407Decrease 1.6154,346Decrease 11.72002–2004 SARS outbreak
200430,353,565Increase 23.01,775,092Increase 10.1184,932Increase 19.8
200532,430,856Increase 6.81,833,721Increase 3.3204,138Increase 10.3
200635,033,083Increase 8.01,931,881Increase 5.4214,000Increase 4.8
200736,701,556Increase 4.81,918,159Decrease 0.7221,000Increase 3.3
200837,694,824Increase 2.71,883,894Decrease 1.8232,000Increase 5.0
200937,203,978Decrease 1.31,633,791Decrease 15.3240,360Increase 3.62008 financial crisis
Sources:[270][271][272]
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More information Operational statistics (2010–2019), Year ...
Operational statistics (2010–2019)
Year Passenger
movements
Passenger %
change over
previous year
Airfreight
movements
(tonnes)
Airfreight %
change over
previous year
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft %
change over
previous year
Notes
201042,038,777Increase 13.01,813,809Increase 11.0263,593Increase 9.7
201146,543,845Increase 10.71,865,252Increase 2.8301,711Increase 14.5
201251,181,804Increase 10.01,806,225Decrease 3.2324,722Increase 7.6
201353,726,087Increase 5.01,850,233Increase 2.4343,800Increase 5.9
201454,093,070Increase 0.81,843,799Decrease 0.3341,386Decrease 0.7
201555,448,964Increase 2.51,853,087Increase 0.5346,334Increase 1.5
201658,698,039Increase 5.91,969,434Increase 6.3360,490Increase 4.1
201762,219,573Increase 6.02,125,226Increase 7.9373,201Increase 3.5
201865,600,000Increase 5.52,150,000Increase 1.4386,000Increase 3.4
201968,300,000Increase 4.02,010,000Decrease 6.5382,000Decrease 1.0
Sources:[273][274][275][276][277][278][279][280][281][282]
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More information Operational statistics (2020–2025), Year ...
Operational statistics (2020–2025)
Year Passenger
movements
Passenger %
change over
previous year
Airfreight
movements
(tonnes)
Airfreight %
change over
previous year
Aircraft
movements
Aircraft %
change over
previous year
Notes
202011,800,000Decrease 82.81,540,000Decrease 23.3125,000Decrease 67.2COVID-19 pandemic
20213,053,000Decrease 74.11,947,000Increase 26.1109,000Decrease 13.2COVID-19 pandemic
202232,200,000Increase 954.71,850,000Decrease 5.0219,000Increase 100.9
202358,900,000Increase 82.91,740,000Decrease 5.9328,000Increase 49.8
202467,700,000Increase 14.81,990,000Increase 14.6366,000Increase 11.6
202569,980,000Increase 3.382,080,000Increase 4.52374,000Increase 2.19

Sources:[283][284][285][286][287][288]

Close
PassengersYear010,000,00020,000,00030,000,00040,000,00050,000,00060,000,00070,000,0001995200020052010201520202025PassengersAnnual passenger traffic

Accidents and incidents

  • 26 March 1991 – Singapore Airlines Flight 117, operated by an Airbus A310, was hijacked by four terrorists. The flight landed in Changi Airport at 22:15. The Singapore Special Operations Force stormed the aircraft, on the morning of 27 March. All four hijackers were killed, with only minor injuries among the surviving 123 passengers and crew, who were held hostage for more than eight hours.[289]
  • 4 November 2010 – Qantas Flight 32, operated by an Airbus A380-800 with Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines, had an uncontained engine failure and returned to Changi Airport. Upon landing, one of the engines could not be shut down due to ruptured control cables and had to be doused for three hours by airport firefighters to forcefully shut it down. There were no crew or passenger injuries, and all 469 people on board survived the accident.[290] The aircraft was also repaired.[290]
  • 27 June 2016 – Singapore Airlines Flight 368, a scheduled service from Changi Airport to Milan, Italy carrying 222 passengers and 19 crew, caught fire shortly after it landed. Approximately three hours into the flight, the Boeing 777 turned back after the pilot received an engine oil warning message. Shortly after landing, the right engine and wing were ablaze, with flames engulfing the right side of the jet. No one was injured. The aircraft was later repaired and placed back into service.[291][292]
  • 16 May 2017 – a fire broke out at the departure hall in Terminal 2.[293] The fire caused 40 flights at Terminal 2 to be delayed and diverted to Terminal 3.[294] Terminal 2 was closed from 17:30 to 22:45.
  • 29 November 2017 – a tow tug towing a Singapore Airlines Boeing 777-200 caught fire. This fire was promptly put out by the airport's emergency services. A member of the towing crew was in the aircraft's cockpit when the fire occurred; the crew member evacuated through the aircraft's emergency slides. The aircraft was substantially damaged by the fire and written off.[295][296]
  • 6 February 2018 – a KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, part of the Black Eagles aerobatic team taking part in Singapore Airshow 2018, veered off the runway during takeoff and crashed. The resulting fire was put out by emergency services and the pilot was treated for minor injuries. Runway 02L/20R was closed as a result and caused delays at the airport.[297]

See also

Notes

  1. Runway 02L is 4,000 m (13,000 ft) and 20R is 3,260 m (10,700 ft) with a displaced threshold of 740 m (2,430 ft). Thus aircraft landing on 20R will have to avoid touching down on the displaced threshold but may use it for departures.
  2. This AIP Supplement informs aircraft operators and pilots that Runway 02C/20C and new taxiways at Singapore Changi Airport will be open for flights effective from 30 November 2023, 2000UTC.[4]
  3. Pronounced /ˈɑːŋ.i/ CHAHNG-ee; Chinese: 樟宜机场; Malay: Lapangan Terbang Changi; Tamil: சாங்கி விமான நிலையம்.

References

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