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Media
SINGAPORE's airlines and airport industry will receive economic relief in an extended Air Hub Development Fund (ADHF) of S$130 million (US$87.2 million) with an improved air traffic flow system to reduce congestion and fuel costs.
Changi airfreight tonnage for November fell 14.2 per cent year on year and in the first 11 months this year, it dipped 0.2 per cent compared to the same period in 2007.
But Changi has also seen a strong growth in weekly scheduled flights in 2008, demonstrating its continued relevance as a major aviation hub, said a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
The CAAS decision to increase the funds due to expire at end of year by 30 per cent from its usual S$100 million annual budget to help airlines operating at Changi and Seletar Airport.
"CAAS recognises the tough operating environment that airlines and airport partners are currently operating under," said CAAS chief executive Lim Kim Choon.
Another economic downturn incentive includes a landing fee rebate of 25 per cent for 2009, a healthy increase from its current 15 per cent rebate. Further reductions include 15 per cent across-the-board rental rebate for tenants of offices, airline lounges and warehouses at both airports to benefit ground handlers, airport concessionaires and freight forwarders.
Its latest initiative in cooperation with International Civil Aviation Organisation is to ease congestion and result in lower operating costs by regulating Europe-bound air traffic over the Bay of Bengal.
The reduction of longitudinal separation between aircraft operating along the Singapore and China/Hong Kong routes allows more aircraft to operate at the same flight level at a specific time. This helps to increase the capacity and efficiency on the usage of airspace, and at the same time, reduce flight delays. It has already directly helped airlines reduce fuel burn and resulted in estimated fuel savings of over S$45 million per annum for airlines.
Source: Shipping Gazette
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