Changi Airport has record year with 3.6pc more flights

SINGAPORE'S Changi Airport experienced a strong rebound in the last quarter of the year hitting a monthly record of 3.83 million passenger movements in December, an increase of 9.7 per cent December 2008, 9.1 per cent more than the previous record of 3.51 million in 2007.

Changi Airport was able to achieve better-than-expected passenger traffic of 37.2 million for the whole of 2009 on the back of five month strong results. This was 1.3 per cent less than the 37.7 million recorded in 2008 despite the impact of the global economic downturn. Changi handled more flights in 2009 - a total of 240,360, an increase of 3.6 per cent compared to 2008.

Changi processed 149,700 tonnes in December 2009, a 15.7 per cent improvement year-on-year while airfreight movement for the year amounted to 1.63 million tonnes, 12 per cent lower than in 2008.

Traffic grew between Singapore and Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and the United Arab Emirates grew in 2009 with strong demand between Singapore and Malaysia at a 42 per cent increase following expanding services in both east and peninsular Malaysia.

Changi Airport's top 10 city links by passenger traffic saw some changes with Jakarta and Kuala Lumpur rising to No 1 and 2 respectively. Denpasar (Bali) entered the top 10, replacing Perth.

Changi Airport Group increased its number of weekly scheduled flights by 7.3 per cent from 4,672 on January 1, 2008 to 5,012 a year later which included 14 new city links and six airlines commenced operations including India's Kingfisher Airlines, Malaysia's Firefly, and cargo carriers K-Mile and Cardig Air.

Changi Airport Group's CEO Lee Seow Hiang said that despite a difficult year the airport registered strong performance and bagged 27 "best" awards to include Best Airport in the World by Business Traveller (UK/Europe), Best International Airport by Conde Nast Traveler and Top Worldwide Airport by Wanderlust.

(Source: www.schednet.com)