A land of futuristic skyscrapers and artificial waterfalls, Singapore is a city of modern wonders. It has several tourist attractions. While the city boasts several infrastructural masterpieces, the ones that capture the attention of international tourists the most are its airports.
Major International Airports in Singapore
Singapore’s two civilian airports find a place in the world’s top-notch airports, as they match the global standards.
Here are the key details that you would want to know before visiting Singapore’s airports in person.
1. Singapore Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport is a civilian airport located in Changi. Located nearly 20 kilometres away from Marian Bay on the north-eastern side, the location of the airport is strategic by nature. Changi Airport makes a significant contribution to Singapore’s transportation and is also one of the major attractions in Singapore.
It is Asia’s popular transportation hub; its busy atmosphere with both domestic and international passengers throughout the year explains why it is so. Changi Airport retained the top spot on Skytrax’s global list of top airports for seven years on the trot (between 2013 and 2020). It is the only airport to achieve this feat.
Changi Airport constitutes the core of Singapore Airlines. In addition, it also houses many other flight operators. This feature makes it one of the top international airports in Singapore. The additional flight operators that use Changi Airport as the home base are BOC Aviation, Jetstar Asia Airways, Scoot, SilkAir, and Singapore Airlines Cargo.
As of now, Singapore Changi Airport has a total of four terminals. The construction of another terminal, which is supposed to be the fifth one, is ongoing at present. It is scheduled to reach its completion by 2030.
One of the reasons that make Changi Airport popular is its convenience. It has a host of transport options featuring taxis, MRTs, and buses. Most tourists and visitors prefer chauffeured transportation to the other forms of transportation for traveling to Changi Airport.
When you come to Singapore on a Singapore tourist visa or Singapore e-visa. If you are a foodie or a passionate shopper, Changi Airport has the best restaurants and shopping centres for you. If you have been planning to go shopping in Singapore, do not miss out on going on a shopping spree at Changi Airport. When you come to Singapore on a Singapore tourist visa, do not forget to stop by the airport’s 400 shopping outlets. In these outlets, you can find a wide range of items. These include tech and electronic items, high-quality garments, tobacco, alcohol, and other items.
If you are a foodie, Changi Airport has more than 150 restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines. Apart from international delicacies, these restaurants serve Singaporean classics and vegan foods. The best thing about the food of these restaurants is that they are of the highest quality.
Other than shopping centres and restaurants, Changi Airport has a few other attractions. These include free sightseeing tours for 2-3 hours, a swimming pool and a Jacuzzi, and the aerobridge.
Distance from the city’s main attractions
The Changi International Airport offers convenient accessibility through various transportation modes owing to its strategic location. The closest attraction is the iconic Marina Bay sands, which is around 18.4 km. The futuristic architecture, Gardens by the Bay, is a mere 19.4 km away, with Chinatown at just 20.7 km of distance. You can also reach the famous Merlion Statue, Universal Studios, and Sentosa Island at a travel distance of 21.3 km, 25.1, and 26.5 km respectively.
2. Seletar Airport
Image Credit: seletarairport.com
Another major airport for passenger travel, Seletar Airport, is based in Seletar, which is located in the north-eastern part of Singapore. The airport is located at a distance of about 16 kilometres from the Changi Airport in Singapore. The Changi Airport looks after its operations and exercises total control over its management. Despite its second position from the standpoint of prominence, it was built much earlier than Changi Airport. It has been operating since 1928.
Seletar Airport has an interesting history behind it. Before RAF handed the airport to RSAF in 1971, it served both civilian and military purposes. The airport has been handling private jets and general aviation since 1971.
The Government of Singapore was once mulling over the extension of its runway. However, it postponed the plan and built a standard terminal in the Changi Airport instead. Apart from serving the civilian needs, the airport also serves the purpose of military use.
Seletar Airport was also proposed for limited commercial service. The rationale behind it was to establish a separate airport, other than the main airport of Singapore, for small-sized planes. The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic affected the implementation of this plan to a large extent. Following the resumption of travel in 2021, the flight operations started in the airport once again.
At present, Seletar Airport has a distinct area for quicker check-in and private drop-offs. This facility is exclusively available for those passengers who board private jets and chartered business flights.
Firefly, which is a turboprop airline, offers cheaper passenger flights from the terminal at Seletar Airport.
However, Seletar Airport has fewer transportation options in comparison to Changi Airport. Often times, it leads to inconvenience for passengers. Unlike Changi Airport, Seletar Airport does not have too many restaurants and shopping centres. It has only one F&B kiosk wherein passengers can order some quick food.
Distance from the city’s main attractions
The public bus service no. 102 is a mere 50 meters away from the airport to transport you to the city’s main attractions like Chinatown located at 18 km, Marina Bay Islands at 19.2 km, and Gardens by the Bay at 20.2 km. The Universal Studios and Sentosa Island are also within 23 and 24 km reach.
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3. Paya Lebar Airport
Earlier regarded as one of the best in the world, Paya Lebar Airbase is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force at Paya Lebar in the central-eastern part of Singapore. Working since 20 August 1955, the transfer of the airport was given to the Republic of Singapore airforce due to the significant increase in passenger bulks.
After executing its duty as a Commercial International Airport for 26 years, this airport was famed for its futuristic runways measuring 8000 ft in length and 200 ft in width. Classified as a Class B3 airdrome in line with the International Convention for Civil Aviation of 1953.
With its contemporary radio navigational aids and surveillance radar, the airport’s atmospheric conditions complement its sizable aircraft. The Jakarta flight named Garuda landed here, marking its inauguration.
With the Changi airport’s commencement, Paya Labar stopped its service as a commercial airport. This crucial military facility now operates with the motto of “Strength through Readiness’ and is a pivotal development to air defense and urban development of Singapore.
Localities have been looking forward to its development by The Singapore Institute of Planners (SIP), and the Singapore Institute of Architects (SIA) has been working with the URA who contend that the area will witness various developments of buildings to incorporate amenities and communal areas to connect them to improve social environment.
Distance from the city’s main attractions
The Paya Labar Station MRT is just 3 km away from the Airbase.
4. Kallang Airport
Now known as the Kallang Aerodrome, Kallang Airfield, and RAF Kallang, Kallang Airport was the first civilian international airport in Singapore. Officially inaugurated in 1937, it served its operations till 1955, after the international operations were relocated to the Changi Airport.
Resting over the eastern edge of the Kallang basin, this airport covered areas of present-day Kallang and Geylang. The airport was mostly recognized for its British architecture filled with Art Deco embellishments, and a grassy runway suitable for both conventional landings and sea-planes.
The airport helped mostly during World-War II with strategic importance as being the only operational airfield for the British army against the Japanese invasion from the north. Despite its closure in 1955, its legacy continues due to it being repurposed by the People’s Association in the 1960s. It acted as its headquarters till 2009.
It had distinctive bridges, an extra-wide pathway, stadium car parks, and small lamposts adding to its historical significance as the state’s well-planned infrastructure evidence.
Distance from the city’s main attractions
The Kallang MRT station to the aerodrome is 5 km away.
FAQs
Which airport is better in Singapore?
With multiple awards, Changi Airport has proved itself to be the best option to land in the city of Lions. Its connectivity and leisure are deemed to be the best in the world.
Which airport is the most luxurious in Singapore?
Changi Airport is crowned as the best airport by Skytrax. It has attractions like Jewel Changi, automated features, and shopping and entertainment resources.
How many international airports are there in Singapore?
The island nation, Singapore currently flaunts a total of 9 airports with 2 for civilian use.
Conclusion
Overall, Singapore has two airports for civilian use. Singapore Changi Airport is the more prominent one between them. Also, it is one of the best international airports in Singapore. Here, you will find the best restaurants and shopping centres. Plus, it also has many more tourist attractions, along with other facilities, for international tourists.