Remarks by Ms Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of National Development, at the Singapore Air-Cargo Agents Association (SAAA) 55th Anniversary Dinner

Chairman of the Singapore Air-Cargo Agents Association and my parliamentary colleague Mr Gabriel Lam,

Deputy Director-General of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Ms Glory Wee. 

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Good evening.

1.           My heartiest congratulations to SAAA on your Emerald Jubilee.

SAAA 55th Anniversary Milestone

2.          Tonight’s theme, “Root, Blossom, and Soar” captures this journey well. The strong foundations that SAAA has built over the past 55 years, your many achievements, and our shared ambition to seize new opportunities, shape the future of the industry and soar to even greater heights.

3.          Earlier, Chairman had spoken about the six ‘R’s: Recognise, Reaffirm, Reconnect, Renew, Reposition and Reflect, and these ideas resonate strongly with tonight’s theme and the journey we have collectively taken together as an industry.

Root: A Strong Foundation

4.          Let me start by recognising how far we have come. When Changi Airport opened in 1981, it handled 217,000 tonnes of air cargo in its first year of operations. And today, Changi handles around 2 million tonnes a year, almost 10 times as much, making Singapore one of the world's leading international air cargo hubs, and the leading air cargo gateway in Southeast Asia.

5.          This is built on a strong foundation laid by generations of pioneers over many decades.

6.          SAAA was formed on 21 April 1971 by six pioneering cargo agents, when our main airport was still at Paya Lebar. As Singapore industrialised and its air exports grew, SAAA helped our local agents upgrade their skills and services so that they could seize opportunities and compete internationally.  

7.          For 55 years, SAAA has played three roles for our air cargo community. It has been your voice, it has been a standard-bearer. and it has been a connector. 

8.          As the Chinese saying goes, “前人种树，后人乘凉” - those who came before us planted the trees, so that future generations can enjoy the shade, and today, we continue to benefit from the foresight, hard work and commitment of those who helped establish Singapore as a trusted and connected air cargo hub. These foundations have strengthened the resilience of the sector and helped us weather many challenges.

9.          It might be a distant memory, but Covid-19 was not that long ago, and the biggest test came with COVID-19. When passenger flights all but stopped, cargo kept Singapore connected to the world – and when the first COVID-19 vaccines to reach Asia landed at Changi in December 2020, every link in the cold chain was ready.

10.        Earlier this year, the conflict in the Middle East closed airspace across parts of the Gulf, and supply chains had to adjust quickly. But even so, Changi handled close to 9% more air cargo in the first half of this year than a year before. By keeping cargo moving through disruption after disruption, we collectively have helped make Singapore a trusted node in global supply chains.

Blossom: Growing Capabilities and People

11.        Now, strong roots need tending, so that new capabilities can blossom. Some of you were with me at Air Cargo Day last November, when we launched the Job Redesign Playbook for Aviation. And tonight, together with Chairman, I am pleased to launch its new microsite, as well as SAAA's refreshed website. We hope that these platforms will help all of us reconnect, learn, and collaborate.

12.        Growing capabilities also means growing our people, and the Government will continue to be a close partner in this effort. One example is Project IMDD, which stands for Inspire, Mentor, Discover and Develop. Project IMDD introduces young Singaporeans to the many exciting career pathways in the air cargo sector. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore works closely with SAAA to support the programme through grant funding and partnerships.

13.        We are already seeing very encouraging outcomes. Earlier this year, B&H Worldwide Singapore participated in the third Project IMDD Outreach at ITE College East. Students were introduced to diverse career opportunities in aerospace logistics marketing, digital communications, event management and brand development. And following a successful experience, B&H expanded its support and commitment for the programme by offering more internship opportunities this year.

14.        With examples like this, it shows what is possible when industry, associations and Government work together to build such clear pathways for jobseekers. 

Soar: Charting the Next Chapter Together

15.        But we cannot rest on our laurels. Supply chains are being reconfigured, and new trading corridors are emerging. A growing share of our cargo is high-value and time-critical, from semiconductors and servers to pharmaceuticals. Technology is also transforming logistics, and competition among aviation and logistics hubs is intensifying.

16.        Singapore must continue to strengthen its role as a connected and trusted hub, and ambition is to go beyond being a place where goods simply pass through. We want Singapore to be a hub where trade flows are seamlessly coordinated and facilitated, creating greater value for our businesses and economy. 

17.        To support this ambition, we are investing in the next phase of our air cargo infrastructure with new developments at the Changi East Industrial Zone and Airport Logistics Park 2.

18.        Together with the remodeled Changi Airfreight Centre and the existing Airport Logistics Park, these developments will increase Changi Air Cargo’s overall handling capacity from 3 to 5.4 million tonnes per annum when fully developed.

19.        Alongside increasing capacity, we are also strengthening our capabilities including our ability to handle high value, specialised cargo in sectors such as healthcare and life sciences and technology.

20.        We are continuously investing in technology. For example, through introduction of autonomous cargo vehicles at the Changi Airfreight Centre.

21.        And we will not stop here. We will keep renewing and repositioning ourselves - strengthening connectivity, embracing innovation and capturing emerging opportunities. 

22.        The Government cannot do this alone. We will need the collective effort of the industry and associations such as SAAA. You play an important role in identifying emerging needs, bringing partners together and turning shared ideas into practical action.  Each of you has a part to play, by adopting new technologies in your operations, redesigning jobs and bringing in young talent. And it is only together with collective efforts that we can ensure that Singapore remains a trusted, resilient and competitive air cargo hub, so that our businesses and workers can continue to benefit.

Conclusion

23.        Earlier, we had spoken about those who planted the trees before us, and today, it is our turn. The investments we make now – in infrastructure, in technology and in our people – are the trees we collectively plant for the next generation. So, I guess when SAAA celebrates its 75th anniversary, the next generation of air cargo professionals can enjoy the shade.

24.        Tonight, we honour a proud legacy built over 55 years – from six pioneering agents in 1971 to the vibrant community in this room. With strong partnerships between Government, industry and workers, I am confident that Singapore's air cargo sector will continue to blossom and soar to even greater heights in the years ahead.

25.        With that, I congratulate you on your 55th Anniversary. Thank you.