Opening Address by Mr Jeffrey Siow, Acting Minister for Transport, at the Annual Airport Celebration

Mr Lim Ming Yan, Chairman, Changi Airport Group

Mr Yam Kum Weng, CEO

Friends and colleagues,

1.         Good evening.

a.         Thank you for having me at the Annual Airport Celebration.

b.         Tonight is the first time I am attending this celebration. Kum Weng just told me that you have been running this for 37 years – 37 years of celebrating the Airport’s success. That’s amazing. I’m very happy to see our OneAviation family, especially ahead of the festive period.

Changi’s growth in the past year

2.         Last year was a strong year for Changi Airport.

a.         We welcomed around 70 million passengers, an all-time high.

b.         We were also named the World’s Best Airport for the 13^th time.

c.         We handled more than 2 million tonnes of cargo – one of the best cargo performances in Changi’s history.

d.         And, more than 100 airlines chose to hub through Changi, connecting Singapore to more than 170 cities across the globe.

3.         These achievements were only possible because of all of you, the members of the OneAviation family.

a.         So thank you, for making Changi the best airport in the world!

Recognising workers who embody the Changi spirit

4.         Tonight is about all of you.

a.         We celebrate the individuals and teams who have helped us set Changi’s high standards of service and performance.

5.         Let me just share one example.

a.         Last August, a family had a distressing and stressful incident involving their child.  

b.         Nora, Gerlie, Dush , and Remi, staff from P-Serv, CAG and SATS – they stepped in quickly.

c.         They coordinated smoothly across their different organisations to ensure that the family received medical attention, they escorted them to the hospital, they also made logistical arrangements which were complex and time-sensitive.

d.         Over two days, the team worked together to make sure that the family was cared for and safe.

6.         This is the OneAviation standard. When something happens, we take ownership, we respond quickly and we look after our customers with care.

Supporting our workforce

7.         Even as we celebrate tonight, we are looking forward to the future.

8.         We are making progress on Terminal 5.

a.         Many of you here have seen Changi evolve from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4.

b.         When T5 opens in the mid-2030s, it will redefine how an airport operates, so that Changi will remain best in class in the future.

9.         We are investing heavily in our people.

a.         Take Mr Ramesh Kumar Lachimpadi. He was a baggage tractor driver last year.

b.         Over several months, Ramesh took up an upskilling programme to become a remote autonomous vehicle operator.

c.         Ramesh was there when we launched the first driverless baggage tractors at Changi just last month.

d.         Today, he focuses on decisions that require human judgment and experience, while leaving technology to take  on more routine tasks.

Empowering our workforce to be future-ready

10.       As we redesign work and create new roles, the Government will work with our workers and support you to take on new and better opportunities, just as Ramesh did.

11.       Last year, we committed S$200 million through the OneAviation Manpower Fund.

a.         This fund will go towards supporting workers and companies to identify the skills needed for emerging roles, and to redesign jobs. We will also  ensure forward looking and relevant training

Conclusion

12.       To conclude, the OneAviation family, thank you for your hard work, and for the pride you bring to Singapore.

13.       To everyone receiving an award tonight, congratulations.

a.         You set the standard, and you inspire all of us.

14.       Much of what keeps Changi Airport running is unseen, but our  results speak for themselves.

15.       As the operating environment grows more complex, what will keep Changi strong is what brought us here.

a.         Professionalism, teamwork, and just doing the basics well.

16.       Finally, I also want to thank those of you who will be on duty during this festive period.

17.       I wish everyone happy Lunar New Year and a blessed Ramadan ahead. I wish everyone good health, peace, and a good season for the coming year.

18.       Thank you all, and I look forward to meeting all of you over the rest of this evening.