Changi Airport hits record 65 million passengers in 2018
Singapore's Changi Airport. (Photo: Roslan RAHMAN/AFP)
Changi Airport saw a record 65.6 million passenger movements in 2018, Changi Airport Group (CAG) said in a news release on Tuesday (Jan 29).
This figure beats 2017's record of 60 million passengers with a 5.5 per cent increase.
Of the total passenger movements, 6.13 million passengers travelled through Changi Airport in December alone, making it the first month the airport saw passenger numbers exceed 6 million.
The Friday before Christmas, Dec 21, proved to be the busiest day of the year with a record 221,155 passengers movements.
According to CAG, the airport's top 10 routes - with Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Jakarta being the top three destinations - remained largely unchanged. Hong Kong (4th) and Manila (5th) rounded up Changi Airport's top five routes.
Bangkok and Bali each moved up one spot to second and sixth position respectively.
CAG also revealed that six of Changi’s top 20 routes grew by at least 5 per cent - Bali, London, Manila, Melbourne, Mumbai and Sydney.
During the course of the year, Changi Airport welcomed three passenger airlines - Guangxi Beibu Gulf Airlines, LOT Polish and Shandong Airlines, and Singapore Airlines launched the world's longest flight to New York.
Qantas also reinstated its Singapore-London route in 2018, while Lufthansa resumed operations to Munich. Connectivity to Europe further strengthened with non-stop links to Berlin and Warsaw.
Changi Airport is now directly connected to 19 cities in Europe, which is a 10-year high, according to CAG.
Highlights of Changi Airport's air traffic performance in 2018. (Graphic: CAG)
Traffic between Singapore and India, Changi’s sixth largest market, rose to 4.76 million in 2018, said CAG. Singapore is now linked to Northeast India via Guwahati, operated by Drukair Royal Bhutan Airlines.
CAG also embarked on a new initiative to work with travel agents to offer flight charter services to new destinations in China, such as to Guiyang and Zunyi.
Charter services to other Chinese cities such as Yancheng, Yichang and Zhangjiajie are also being explored, it added. China is Changi’s third biggest market, with 15 airlines operating more than 370 weekly services to 36 city links.
Overall in 2018, the airport saw a total of 386,000 landings and takeoffs, 3.4 per cent higher than the year before. Airfreight throughput increased by 1.4 per cent to reach 2.15 million tonnes for 2018 as well, said CAG.
“2018 was another strong year for Changi Airport," said CAG’s managing director for air hub development, Mr Lim Ching Kiat.
"We are pleased with the introduction of new city links, as well as the growth of long haul routes from Changi Airport, including the launch of the world’s longest service between Singapore and New York."
He added: “Our newest terminal T4 completed its first year of operations, and served 8.3 million passengers in 2018.
"Later this year, Jewel Changi Airport will open its doors to the world."
Jewel Changi Airport is a 10-storey retail and lifestyle complex that is set to open in the first half of 2019. Its tenant mix will include Nike, Pokemon, Shake Shack and Shaw Theatres among others.
"Jewel will augment Changi Airport’s status as an air hub. Terminal 1’s expansion will also be completed, increasing the airport’s handling the capacity to 85 million passengers per annum," said Mr Lim.
However, he noted that 2019 may pose challenges like rising fuel prices and trade tensions for the industry, but added that demand for air travel in the Asia Pacific region is expected to "grow steadily".
Retail shops at Jewel ranging from renowned international names to home-grown brands. (Photo: Jewel Changi Airport Devt)
Dining at Canopy Park. (Photo: Jewel Changi Airport Devt)
Source: CNA/aa
Homegrown brands take the spotlight as Design Orchard officially opens for business
Social enterprise The Animal Project is one of the 61 featured brands.
Local design showcase and incubator Design Orchard officially opened its doors on Friday (Jan 25).
All housed under one roof and under the tagline “Where Local Brands Flourish”, 61 homegrown labels are part of a mentorship programme run by local retailer Naiise, covering topics such as marketing, merchandising and expansion strategies.
Out of all, 11 are new or emerging labels that are less than two years old, while 47 are labels that are two to 10 years old. The remaining three are established brands that have been around for more than 10 years.
For sportwear brand Kydra, Design Orchard marks their first physical location. Founded by university mates Jimmy Poh and Wong Dingyao, both 28, Kydra officially launched in July 2017 and earned S$100,000 in revenue in a year.
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“We want to be known for our highest quality apparel, functional wear to provide effective solutions for athletes and non-athletes at a reasonable price,” said Poh in an interview last year.
Furnishing and décor pieces are also available at Design Orchard. Sister brands Doob Bean Bags and SoftRock Living by Shane Low and Jay Cheng are also in their first physical location within the new space.
SoftRock Living wishes all a happy and cosy lunar new year! To coincide with the occasion, we are extremely pleased to announce the newest addition our collection, the Behemoth. You don't know comfort until you've experienced this luxurious monster of a bean bag.
A post shared by SoftRock Living Bean Bags (@softrocklife) on Feb 16, 2018 at 2:47am PST
There are also social enterprises, like The Animal Project (TAP) which was started by a group of parents and friends who celebrate, showcase and support the abilities of persons with special needs. The six-year-old brand curate from differently-abled artists who are exceptional in illustrating animals. These artists earn royalties from the sale of product embellished with their unique illustrations and artwork.
“We hope to learn new things and get expansion plans put in place. Another area we’re looking at is e-commerce and we need to have experts to advise us on this,” Mr Roland Tay, founder of TAP told Channel NewsAsia in an earlier interview.
For those looking to do some last-minute shopping before the Lunar New Year, local label The Missing Piece will be bringing its cheongsams from their website into the real world at Design Orchard. Like the others, this is also the first for the apparel brand since the opening of its by-appointment-only studio space last year.
We are so excited to join 60 other amazing local brands at the new @shopdesignorchard store in the heart of Orchard. Definitely head down from today onwards to check out the amazing space and the best of local design. We will have a selected range there and are located on the right towards the cashier end. 😉
A post shared by The Missing Piece (@iwantthemissingpiece) on Jan 24, 2019 at 4:57pm PST
Located opposite The Heeren, Design Orchard is a two-storey development with a 9,000 sq ft retail space on the first floor. Located above is The Cocoon Space, an upcoming fashion incubator featuring co-working spaces, sewing equipment and a “fabric library”.
Another great photo taken by @jonthearchitect! Everything looks perfect! It's been a long journey and we can't wait to meet all of you this week.
A post shared by shopdesignorchard (@shopdesignorchard) on Jan 22, 2019 at 2:39am PST
To celebrate the opening of Design Orchard, shoppers receive an exclusive Design Orchard gift packet with a minimum spend of S$88 nett. Available till Feb 17, while stocks last.
~Courtesy of Channel News Asia~
Light installations, augmented reality trail to kick off Singapore Bicentennial
A year-long series of events will officially kick off on Monday (Jan 28) to mark the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Stamford Raffles, a key turning point in Singapore’s modern history.
To start the ball rolling, the annual i Light Singapore event and Light to Night Festival will run from Jan 28 to Feb 24.
They will feature works specially curated for the bicentennial commemoration.
Six bridges spanning the Singapore River, including Cavenagh Bridge, Anderson Bridge and the Helix Bridge, will be transformed through light art installations by local artist Michael Lee and five international counterparts.
Singapore Bicentennial Cavenagh Bridge light installation
Where do stories begin / Where do stories end is a light installation on Cavenagh Bridge by Michael Lee and Perception3. (Photo: Fann Sim)
Themed Bridges of Time, they allow visitors to experience different aspects of Singapore’s long history.
The Light to Night festival will see key moments and characters in Singapore’s history projected in lights on buildings around the Civic District, including the Asian Civilisations Museum, Victoria Theatre and Victoria Concert Hall, The Arts House and National Gallery Singapore.
Among the projections is Sayang di Sayang, which depicts the life and work of Zubir Said, who composed Singapore’s national anthem. Another is The Resident, which pays tribute to William Farquhar and his novel ideas.
STEP INTO HISTORY
Those who want to "go back in time" to witness history can do so via an app which will also be launched on Monday by the National Heritage Board and National Parks Board.
Th BALIKSG app allows members of the public to revisit historical events such as the signing of the 1819 Treaty, "meet" historical characters and learn about historical places through the use of augmented reality.
Throughout the rest of the year, other initiatives and activities will be launched around the island.
The Singapore Bicentennial Office said that through these events, the public can look forward to an array of diverse and immersive events not just in the 200 years since 1819 but also 500 years before.
Its deputy director Wong Chock Fang said: “The Singapore Bicentennial is about 1819, one of the key turning points for Singapore. But it’s also about the time before and after 1819.
"It’s a commemoration of our journey from 1299 all the way to today. We want to look at all that’s happened throughout the centuries, the communities and individuals who’ve arrived and contribute to the modern Singapore we know today.”
Manpower Minister Josephine Teo, who is overseeing the bicentennial commemoration activities, said she hopes that the events, planned in collaboration with various community partners, ethnic groups and religious institutions, will “ignite a curiosity among Singaporeans for our long and rich history”.
“This is true to the spirit of openness that Singapore embodies. We should always keep an open mind about different people, cultures, religions, values and beliefs. There’s always something to understand and learn,” Mrs Teo said.
Source: CNA/hs(hm)
Johor task force proposes single government agency to manage Causeway congestion
Traffic on the Causeway heading back into Singapore. (Photo: Aqil Haziq Mahmud)
A Johor state task force looking into the Causeway congestion issue has proposed setting up a single government agency to manage the operations at the checkpoint.
This was among the list of 11 recommendations from the task force headed by Stulang assemblyman Andrew Chen.
According to a New Straits Times report on Monday (Jan 21), Chen said there are currently too many government agencies involved in the operations of the Sultan Iskandar customs, immigration and quarantine complex in Johor Bahru.
"There are 23 departments and agencies operating at the complex at the moment, and each would report to their own respective superiors. This would make it difficult to implement any changes as each department and agency has their own instructions," said the assemblyman.
Malaysia should take the lead from Singapore, where the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) is responsible for all matters regarding the checkpoints, he added.
"With a single agency, we will be able to reduce bureaucracy in the border administration and improve response time whenever there is any problem," Chen was reported as saying by the New Straits Times.
The Causeway congestion task force was set up by the Johor government in July last year to look into problems affecting the checkpoint.
There is a separate task force looking into congestion issues at the Malaysia-Singapore Second Link.
Beside the setting up of a single agency, the Causeway task force also recommended that the number of Immigration Department personnel should be increased during peak hours, as well as consulting Singapore on increasing the frequency of the Johor Bahru-Woodlands train service.
The task force also called for the Rapid Transport System (RTS) link to be constructed, among other recommendations.
The RTS project, which links Bukit Chagar station in Johor Baru and Woodlands North station in Singapore, is scheduled for completion by 2024.
TASK FORCE REPORT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO RELEVANT AGENCIES
Chen said his task force took about four months to complete the report, which was submitted to the relevant ministries and agencies earlier this month.
Home Minister Muhyiddin Yassin has also received a copy of the report, he said.
“(Muhyiddin) told me that he would look at the proposals and, if suitable, will try to implement them as quickly as possible," said the assemblyman.
Heavy congestion at the Causeway was in the spotlight last month. This was compounded by a bomb hoax, car breakdowns and rampant queue cutting, according to ICA.
Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said ninety per cent of ICA officers were on duty and about 500 officers worked overtime last month to manage the high volume of traffic flow at the Woodlands and Tuas Checkpoints during the Christmas holidays.
Source: CNA/aw
Singapore Philatelic Museum, Peranakan Museum to close for redevelopment
The Singapore Philatelic Museum (left) and the Peranakan Museum. (Photos: Google Maps, Facebook / Singapore Philatelic Museum)
The Singapore Philatelic Museum and the Peranakan Museum will be closed for redevelopment, the National Heritage Board (NHB) announced in a media release on Monday (Jan 21).
The Singapore Philatelic Museum will be closed to the public from Mar 18 and is expected to re-open at the end of next year. The Peranakan Museum will be closed from Apr 1 and will re-open in mid-2021.
Both museums will be closed to "refresh the museums’ infrastructure, content and offerings to enhance the visitor experience for Singaporeans", said NHB.
Officially opened in 1995, the Singapore Philatelic Museum uses stamps to showcase Singapore's heritage and connections to the world.
Redevelopment works for the museum will include essential infrastructure upgrades to the museum building as well as a revamp of the permanent and changing galleries to improve visitor experience, said NHB.
Leading up to its closure, the museum will organise three open houses with free entry for everyone. It will also offer special programmes such as Chinese New Year activities on Feb 6, and a last chance to catch The Little Prince exhibition and accompanying programmes on Mar 10 and 17.
During its redevelopment, the museum will hold travelling exhibitions and education programmes in schools, as well as continue to organise events such as the annual national stamp collecting competition.
Ahead of its closure for redevelopment, the Peranakan Museum - which explores the art and culture of Peranakan communities - will hold an Armenian Street Party on Mar 15 and 16 as part of NHB's Singapore Heritage Festival.
The museum will also organise pop-up exhibitions at public libraries in collaboration with the National Library Board.
The Peranakan Gallery at Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 will continue its operations, and will feature a new rotation of exhibits later this year.
Source: CNA/nc(mn)
40 people arrested in 2018 for misusing boarding passes at Changi Airport
A total of 40 people were arrested last year for misusing their boarding passes at Changi Airport, the police said on Monday (Jan 21).
The police advisory added that a 38-year-old woman was arrested earlier this month for misusing her boarding pass at the transit area of Changi Airport.
"Investigations revealed that the woman had entered the transit area to exchange an item, which her sister had bought from a shop in the transit area. She had no intention to depart Singapore," the police said.
In the Facebook post, the police also reminded the public that those entering transit areas with a boarding pass "should only be there for the purpose of travelling to their next destinations".
Those who misuse their boarding pass to enter the airport’s transit areas, with no intention to proceed to their next destinations, are liable for an offence under the Infrastructure Protection Act.
If found guilty, they face a fine not exceeding S$20,000 and/or a jail term not exceeding two years.
In February 2018, a 20-year-old woman was arrested for misusing her boarding pass after she bought an air ticket to meet a Korean boyband in the transit area of Changi Airport.
Two female students, aged 19 and 16, were arrested in April 2017 after they bought air tickets to meet their idol, a South Korean hip-hop star.
Several months later, a 28-year-old man was arrested for buying a flight ticket to see his friend off at the transit area of Changi Airport. He did not have any intention of leaving Singapore himself.
Source: CNA/zl(hm)
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Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS link 'not progressing well', Malaysia missed deadlines: Khaw
The Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) link project is behind schedule and "not progressing well", said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Monday (Jan 14) in a written parliamentary reply.
He was responding to questions from MP Ang Wei Neng on the progress of the project and its estimated timeline. The RTS project, which links Bukit Chagar station in Johor Baru and Woodlands North station in Singapore, was meant to be completed by 2024.
Milestones in the project have been missed, said Mr Khaw, adding that Malaysia has repeatedly delayed confirmation of its joint venture partner.
According to the bilateral agreement signed in January 2018, a joint venture company comprising Singapore’s SMRT and Malaysia’s Prasarana Malaysia should have been constituted by Jun 30 last year.
The joint venture company should also have been appointed as the RTS Link operator (OpCo) through a Concession Agreement (CA) with Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the government of Malaysia by Sep 30, 2018.
Both milestones were missed.
"Over the past few months, Malaysia has indicated that they are considering replacing their JV (joint venture) partner, but has delayed confirming their JV partner – first until September 2018, then until December 2018 and most recently on Dec 28, 2018, Malaysia requested to be given until Feb 28, 2019 to confirm their JV partner," said Mr Khaw.
"As a result of these delays, the joint venture company has not even been incorporated to-date, let alone signed the CA. Meanwhile, Malaysia has also unilaterally suspended bilateral discussions to appoint the OpCo since August 2018, pending its confirmation of the Malaysian JV partner."
Johor Baru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS) map (Infographic: Rafa Estrada)
MALAYSIA HAS NOT RESPONDED TO DRAFT TENDER DOCUMENTS: KHAW
Mr Khaw explained that under the bilateral agreement, if the joint venture company has not been incorporated or appointed as the RTS link operator, then both countries are obliged to jointly call a fair, international and transparent open tender to appoint an operator - unless both governments mutually agree to postpone these deadlines.
"In line with the intent of the bilateral agreement, Singapore prepared and sent draft tender documents to Malaysia in November 2018 for their comments," said Mr Khaw.
"There is urgency to this as, based on Singapore’s calculations, the open tender needs to be called by Mar 31, 2019 so that, as agreed under the bilateral agreement, the appointed OpCo can procure the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) core systems for the RTS Link before these procurement options expire."
Malaysia has not responded to the draft tender documents, Mr Khaw said.
He added that Singapore remains fully committed to implementing the RTS link, noting that LTA has assembled close to 70 employees and engineers for the project, as well as called civil tenders to construct related infrastructure.
There had been uncertainty over the RTS link project in the wake of the Malaysian general election last May, as the new government reviewed agreements signed by the previous administration.
While Malaysia decided to defer the KL-Singapore High Speed Rail project, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said that the country remains committed to the RTS project.
Mr Khaw said on Monday that Singapore has been "reasonable and flexible" towards Malaysia because it understood its circumstances after the May general elections.
"However, missing the agreed deadlines in the bilateral agreement to appoint the OpCo and thereafter failing to engage with Singapore to take steps to jointly call an open tender to appoint the OpCo has serious implications.
"The bilateral agreement is an international treaty that is binding on the countries that signed it, regardless of any changes in the government," said Mr Khaw.
He added that as a result of these delays, the start of RTS link services will likely be delayed beyond the original target of Dec 31, 2024.
"We will continue to take a constructive approach to move the project forward," said Mr Khaw.
Source: CNA/ic(gs)
More fireworks, larger lanterns for Bicentennial edition of River Hongbao
Artist's impression depicting a junk boat structure where an interactive bicentennial exhibition will be held. (Image: River Hongbao 2019 Organising Committee)
Visitors to the River Hongbao can look forward to more fireworks this year.
Pyrotechnic experts from Australia, USA, Italy, and China will light the Singapore skyline with 12 minutes of fireworks over four nights, each with different themes. That's four times the usual three-minute display.
The local fireworks team will also be charting the history of Singapore in the sky through 3-minute fireworks shows on four other days during the event.
The festivities from Feb 3 to 10, coinciding with Chinese New Year, are set to be among the grandest in recent years.
Artist's impression shows a bird’s eye view of the River Hongbao exhibition on the Floating Platform. (Image: River Hongbao 2019 Organising Committee)
Organisers said they are spending a third more than last year, although they declined give the exact cost.
They have also snared double the number of corporate sponsors, and would require five times more volunteers each night for this Singapore Bicentennial edition.
This year marks the 200th year Sir Stamford Raffles landed on Singapore and a series of events have been planned to mark the turning point in Singapore's history.
"We have pulled out all the stops to make it a stand-out celebration," said Mr Ang Wei Neng, chairman of the River Hongbao organising committee.
EXHIBITION ON "JUNK BOAT"
A massive junk boat structure that contains an interactive bicentennial exhibition will stand beside the Singapore River.
There, visitors will learn of the changes in the Singapore River through time. It will also feature a short animation on Singapore’s history from 1820-1920 that is being produced by local company, Robot Playground Media.
The Teochew, Khek, Cantonese, and Hokkien communities will show their traditional trades, or contributions to Singapore. That’s a first for these dialect groups, whose handicraft and wares will be found along the Food Street.
As for the lanterns display, a hallmark of River Hongbao – it will return even bigger than before. The centrepiece is a 60m long lantern Our Garden, Our Home, featuring the UNESCO-listed Botanic Gardens, along with scenes from the founding of modern Singapore. It will join existing favourites such as the god of fortune and the Chinese zodiac.
Artist’s impression of the main lantern set piece: Our Garden, Our Home. (Image: River Hongbao 2019 Organising Committee)
The organising committee is also pushing hard to attract a younger crowd. Online games, a photography competition, and an Instagram challenge are all part of their bid to woo the young.
Vice-chairman of the committee Henry Kwek said that the goal is to make River Hongbao "relevant to the new generation".
In addition to the exhibitions and competitions, the organising committee has lined up stage performances featuring both international and local talent.
"This year, we really want to focus on two things. One is to spread the Bicentennial message. Second of all, is to attract more young Singaporeans to understand this important part of Singaporean Chinese culture," said Mr Kwek.
Admission is free for the River Hongbao 2019, which will run from Feb 3 to Feb 10, 2pm to 11pm daily at the Float @ Marina Bay. It will open till 1am on Feb 4, the eve of Chinese New Year.
Held since 1987, River Hongbao has seen about 1.5 to 2 million visitors in previous years, and is expecting more than a million this year.
Source: CNA/hm
Singapore to remove motorcycle tolls at Tuas Second Link from Jan 21
Motorcycle tolls at the Tuas Second Link will be removed from Jan 21, Singapore's Ministry of Transport (MOT) said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 1).
Addressing media queries for a response on Malaysia's decision to remove motorcycle tolls at the second link, MOT said: “We note Malaysia’s removal of motorcycle toll charges at the Second Link. Singapore’s long-standing policy is to match Malaysia’s toll rates.
"Singapore will match the removal of motorcycle tolls at the Second Link from 21 Jan 2019.”
The Malaysian government said it will abolish motorcycle toll fares for the Second Link when it unveiled its 2019 budget on Nov 2.
Following the announcement, Singapore said it will match Malaysia’s motorcycle toll rates.
Source: CNA/mn
Sang Nila Utama, pioneers join Stamford Raffles along Singapore River
Statues of (left to right) Sang Nila Utama, Munshi Abdullah, Tan Tock Seng, Sir Stamford Raffles and Naraina Pillai. (Photo: Singapore Bicentennial Office)
This year marks the 200th year since Sir Stamford Raffles landed on Singapore, which was a pivotal point in the nation's history.
With these new statues, SBO said it wanted to invite Singaporeans to discover "our nation's cast of contributors and milestones from as far back as 1299".
One such familiar name is Sang Nila Utama - the Palembang prince who landed on the island of Temasek - which Singapore was known as then.
Seeing a vision of a lion with a red body, black head and a white breast, he established the Singapura Kingdom in 1299.
Linguist Munshi Abdullah, who was Sir Stamford Raffles' secretary and interpreter, is known for his early literary contributions to the Malay community. He also taught the Malay language to British and American missionaries and helped to bridge communication and cultural gaps.
Another historical personality featured is Naraina Pillai, who worked his way up from a clerk and became a successful entrepreneur and community leader. He was also the first Indian building contractor and helped to build the iconic Sri Mariamman Temple in 1827.
Rounding up the four is Tan Tock Seng - one of Singapore's most eminent philantrophists and a leader of the Chinese community. He is best known for being the main donor to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, and the first Asian to serve as Justice of Peace.
Munshi Abdullah, Naraina Pillai and Tan Tock Seng all first arrived in Singapore in 1819.
"1819 is an important point in our history, but before and after the British also came many people and communities," said Mr Gene Tan, executive director of SBO.
"Even the four statues represent only a fraction of the huge cast of characters who contributed to the evolution of Singapore in our longer history of 700 years," he added.
These new statues will be on display alongside the Sir Stamford Raffles statue until next Tuesday.
They will then be shifted to different locations along the river promenade for the rest of the year.
Associate Professor Hadijah Rahmat, from the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University said that "Singapore's roles, functions and achievements are diverse in multiple fields".
"They are not built by a single visionary man, but built by a multi-racial, multi-cultural, multi-religious people, with richly diverse backgrounds and their human strengths."
Source: CNA/ad(hm)
