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Milestones

1975

The Government decides to develop Changi as the new airport to replace Paya Lebar. Site preparations at Changi, including massive earthworks and reclamation from the sea, begin

1976

Final Master Plan for Changi Airport, based on the preliminary plan drawn up by then Airport Branch of PWD, is endorsed by the Airport Consultative Committee of the International Airport Transport Association (IATA)

1977

Reclamation and earthworks at Changi completed

Start of basement construction for Changi Airport Phase 1

1979

Foundation stone of main T1 superstructure is laid

1981

Changi Airport officially declared open

1982

SIA hangar at Changi Airport completed. Largest column-free hangar in the world, measuring 218m wide and 92m deep

1983

Runway 2 completed. Runway is 3,355m long and 60m wide

1984

Ministry of Finance approves government grant for construction of T2

Second runway at Changi commissioned

1985

Piling work starts on T2

1986

Start of construction of basement and superstructure of T2 and associated works

Changi Airport surpasses the 10 million passenger milestone

1987

Joint-venture between US firm Westinghouse Electric Corp & Keppel Corp awarded contract to design, supply and install people mover system (Skytrain) to link T1 with T2

1988

Changi beats Schipol Airport in Holland as the world’s best airport, according to Business Traveller magazine

1989

Delivery of vehicles for Changi Skytrain system

S$1.6 billion programme to improve and upgrade Changi Airport

1991

A $121 million upgrading programme for Terminal 1 is announced to bring T1 facilities on par with new T2

T2 officially opens. Singapore Telecom issues a set of four stamps commemorating the official opening

1992

Opening of Singapore Aviation Academy (SAA), training arm of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)

1994

Changi Airport surpasses the 20 million passenger milestone

1995

Refurbishment of T1 is completed. Passenger movements reach 21.7 million a year, and Changi handles 78,134 aircraft movements in this year

1996

Opening of two new piers at T2

World’s first internet centre in an airport is introduced

1997

Changi is voted ‘Best Airport in the World’ by Business Traveller for the 10^th consecutive year

Airport Emergency Service division is awarded the ISO 9002 accreditation for the provision of rescue and protection services at Changi Airport

A new orchid hybrid is named after Changi Airport – DendrobiumSingaporeChangiAirport

1998

Changi Airport’s control tower is refurbished

World’s first Cactus Garden in an airport opens in Terminal 1. The Garden houses more than 20 varieties of Cacti native to North and South America

2000

Changi is ranked 28^th busiest airport in the world

T1 Extension is completed at the cost of S$240million

Construction of T3 commences

World’s first thematic television lounges are introduced

199-day Millennium Celebration is launched

Introduction of First Wireless Local Area Network (LAN) in the central area of the Departure/Transit lounge of T1 & T2 to allow passengers wireless access to the Internet

2001

The S$850 million, 6 km Changi Airport Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) line extending from the Tanah Merah station opens

The Changi Business Aviation Centre for senior business executives flying into Changi on their private jets officially opens

2003

Changi Airport launches 100 days of celebrations to mark 100 years of powered flight with events like worldwide Children’s Art contest and Flight of Friendship

2004

3 new Singapore-based low cost carriers, Tiger Airways, Valuair and Jetstar Asia, commence operations

CAAS becomes the first in Asia to announce the decision to build a new low cost terminal (LCT)

Changi Airport surpasses the 30 million passenger milestone

2005

World’s first budget call facility is introduced

Changi Airport’s third ground handler, Zurich-based Swissport International Limited, commences operations

Changi Airport is the first airport outside Europe to welcome the Airbus A380 when it arrives for airport compatibility verification tests. Changi is also the world’s first airport to complete third Passenger Loading Bridge ready for simulation tests with the A380 aircraft

Budget Terminal, the first in Asia, is completed

2006

Budget Terminal commences operations

CAAS leases site next to T3 at Changi Airport to LC Development Ltd for development of airport hotel

Changi Airport celebrates its Silver Jubilee

2008

Opening of Terminal 3