SINGAPORE : A record 30 million passengers have passed through
Singapore's Changi airport this year, surpassing the previous mark
of 29 million in 2002 as the city-state vowed to preserve its
Southeast Asian air hub status amid growing regional
competition.
Total passenger traffic in the January-November period grew 4.5
percent from the same period in 2002, the government said Thursday.
No comparions were made with 2003 because the travel industry was
ravaged by the SARS outbreak.
"In the years ahead, growing Changis traffic will be key to
maintaining Singapores aviation hub status," Transport Minister Yeo
Cheow Tong said in a speech at the airport to celebrate the
milestone.
"Hence, despite the healthy growth this year, the work does not
stop here. "We need to ensure that Changi maintains and even
improves on its standards of service to generate more
growth."
The airport is undergoing a multi-million dollar upgrade as part of
efforts to defend its position as a top regional air hub amid
growing challenges from its regional neighbours as well as new
centres as far away as Dubai.
It is also building a dedicated low-cost terminal for budget
carriers to tap the growing popularity of no-frills travel in Asia.
- AFP