Changi passenger numbers up - Malaysiakini

NEIGHBOURING countries Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines were among the biggest contributors to the record 37.7 million passengers handled by Changi Airport last year.

Among the top 15 markets by passenger traffic, which also include Vietnam, Australia and the UK, both regional and long-haul sectors registered growth.

All this contributed to a 2.7 per cent rise in passenger traffic in 2008 compared to the year before.

However, this was the smallest increase in five years, with year-on-year traffic also dropping in September, November and December.

On the cargo front, airfreight movements also dipped by 2% compared to 2007, with negative growth for four consecutive months from September.

Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Mr Lim Kim Choon, said Changi Airport had performed 'commendably' despite the difficult economic climate.

'We acknowledge that 2009 will be a challenging year and recognise the tough operating environment that airlines and airport partners are operating in,' said Mr Lim.

Mr Lim added that CAAS is committed to helping its partners ride out the downturn through schemes such as the extension of the Air Hub Development Fund.