Changi welcomes 50 million passengers in 2012
Singapore’s Changi airport ended 2012 with a new record, reaching 50 million annual passenger movements for the first time in its history.
The milestone was reached on 28 December when Prayanto Inkarani, a 24-year-old Indonesian, arrived at the airport on a Garuda flight from Jakarta. As part of the celebrations, she received S$50,000 (US$40,800) worth of shopping vouchers plus a pair of air tickets.
The record comes just two years after Changi welcomed 40m passengers for the first time. The number of passengers departing from, arriving at and transiting through the Singapore hub rose 10.7% in 2011 and increased a further 10.1% in the first 11 months of 2012.
Robust double-digit growth in travel to and from Northeast Asia and South Asia contributed to the increase in passenger traffic in 2012. Traditionally strong markets such as Southeast Asia, Southwest Pacific and Europe also continued to grow.
“Despite a sluggish global economy and an uncertain outlook for air travel, Changi airport has risen against the challenges to deliver another record breaking year in 2012. This is the outcome of our strong partnerships with airlines… and concerted proactive efforts with them to grow air links and increase flight frequencies,” said Lee Seow Hiang, CEO of Changi Airport Group. “We thank our many airline partners, the airport community and the tens of millions of passengers who have given us their solid support this past year. CAG will continue to invest in infrastructure at Changi Airport to ensure that we keep pace with future growth and that we continually provide passengers with a first class ‘Changi Experience’,” he added.
Changi now serves 109 airlines operating approximately 6,400 weekly scheduled flights to and from more than 230 cities in 60 countries.
Pic caption: Prayanto Inkarani is presented with her prize by Yam Kum Weng, Executive Vice President of Air Hub Development for Changi Airport Group