Changi Airport Gives a Sneak Peek

Singapore’s Jewel Changi Airport gave a sneak peek to 500,000 people who had registered for a preview into its $1.7 billion project between April 11 and 16, with the official opening scheduled for April 17.

The Changi Airport Group said the airport has more than 280 shops and food and beverage outlets with 95 per cent of lease space already occupied. Jewel Changi Airport is in swift competition with neighbors Hong Kong, Incheon and Bangkok. Architecturally, the complex is impressive. There is a 40-meter waterfall at the heart of the dome-shaped building.

Experts say with air travel rising in Asia, airports are investing heavily to attract passengers, win accolades and become destinations on their own merit. Changi is a key hub in Asia, serving as a gateway for further travel into the region and to Australia and New Zealand from Europe and the United States. According to Airports Council International, it is also a key business hub that handled 64 million passengers last year, up to five per cent from 2017.

However, in 2018, Changi’s ranking in international passenger traffic dropped one notch to seventh. It was surpassed by South Korea’s Incheon Airport. Furthermore, Singapore was just behind global number 1 - Dubai International Airport and number 3 - Hong Kong International Airport which handled 88 million and 74 million passengers respectively. Dubai is Singapore’s major competitor as a point of connection for Asia - Europe routes. Changi along with its Asian counterparts is keen to provide enhanced experience for travelers.