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