

	Aviation Policy

	Milestones

	International Aviation Centre

	Regulations

Home

Aviation Policy

Singapore: The Aviation Gateway to the Asia Pacific Region

Singapore is an internationally respected and renowned aviation hub in the Asia Pacific. Changi Airport continues to receive commendations from travellers, international publications and trade organizations. In 2006, Changi Airport received a record number of 25 best airport awards and accolades.

As one of the word’s busiest and well-connected airport, Changi Airport is served by more than 80 airlines flying to over 180 cities in 60 countries with more than 4,000 weekly scheduled flights.

Changi Airport was ranked 6^th for international passenger movements and 6^th for international freight movements in 2005. Passenger traffic at Changi Airport reached a new record of 32.4 million in 2005. On the cargo front, a new record was also achieved, with 1.83 million tonnes of cargo.

Singapore's aviation policy is based on the fundamental belief in free and open competition in Singapore’s aviation sector. We strive to provide an extensive and liberal framework for more air services and city links to Singapore, as this facilitates the growth in trade, investment and tourism flow between Singapore and other countries, and provides greater choice and convenience for Singaporeans and visitors to Singapore.

We adopt a liberal win-win approach in negotiating our Air Services Agreements with other countries, as well as implement pro-business policies and initiatives to promote the growth of Singapore’s aviation sector, particularly to facilitate the growth of both Singapore and foreign airlines at Changi Airport.

Liberal Air Services Agreement

Singapore currently has Air Services Agreements* (ASAs) with more than 90 countries around the world.

Singapore is also party to a landmark multilateral OSA to liberalise international air transport. Signed on 1 May 2001, this historic agreement marked the first multilateral OSA among countries from different geographical regions. Brunei Darussalam, Chile, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa and the United States are the other parties to this agreement.

Within ASEAN, Singapore, together with Brunei, Cambodia and Thailand, have concluded the Multilateral Agreement on the Full Liberalisation of All Cargo Air Services,which allows carriers from the four countries to operate unlimited all-cargo services between and via our country. Singapore, Brunei and Thailand concluded a similar multilateral agreement for passenger services in December 2004, providing for unlimited direct flights between any destinations in the three countries. Both agreements are open for accession by other ASEAN members.

As a founding member of the various multilateral OSAs, Singapore hopes that our efforts will encourage other countries to open up their skies as well.

Pro-Business Policies and Initiatives

Singapore continually develops pro-business policies and initiatives to promote the growth of the aviation industry.

Changi Airport has forged strong partnerships with airlines and other industry players to enhance their business in Singapore. Over the years, we have helped airlines to reduce operating costs and incentivise their growth through various financial incentive schemes, like the S$210 million Air Hub Development Fund (AHDF) and the $40 million Growth Incentive Scheme (GIS). These included rebates in landing fees and rental rebates, as well as financial support for marketing activities.

To strengthen the growth of Singapore’s aviation sector, Changi Airport launched an enhanced 3-year, S$300 million incentive package, Air Hub Development Fund 2, which replaced AHDF and GIS in January 2006.

*To view a glossary of terms commonly used in the air transport industry, click here.