Changi Airport named Best Airport for 26th time by cargo industry

[Shanghai] Singapore Changi Airport was honoured by the cargo industry as the Best Airport in Asia at the Asian Freight and Supply Chain Awards (AFSCA) held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Shanghai. This is the 26th consecutive year that Changi has been accorded this recognition.

At the event, Changi Airport also picked up the Best Green Service Provider – Airport award for its focus on sustainable practices. Changi has won this award since it was introduced in 2010.

The annual AFSCAs, organised by established freight and logistics publication Cargonews Asia, honours companies for demonstrating outstanding leadership as well as consistency in service quality, innovation, customer relationship management and reliability. “Cargonews Asia's readers have voted Singapore Changi Airport as the Best Airport Asia every year since the AFSCAs were first awarded in 1987, a perfect record that is testament to the network connections and efficiency of the air cargo hub,” said Greg Knowler, Editor and Publisher of Cargonews Asia.

Changi Airport Group’s (CAG) Assistant Vice President for Cargo and Logistics Development, James Fong, said, “These awards belong to the entire cargo and logistics community in Changi Airport. They are an acknowledgement of the community’s efforts and strong support. Together, we have overcome challenges and pushed the boundaries of growth. The continued commitment of our partners will enable CAG to achieve its aspirations of building a world-class air cargo hub at Changi.”

Cargo movements at Changi returned to 2008 levels in 2011 when the airport handled 1.87 million tonnes of cargo, an increase of 2.8% on-year. The turn of the year has seen growth suppressed by decreasing demand in consumer markets. Some 592,000 tonnes of cargo passed through Changi in the January to April 2012 period, 0.8% lower than the corresponding period last year.

CAG has taken active steps to manage the current downturn and to sustain the long-term growth of the air cargo sector. In March 2012, CAG announced a S$15-million cargo support package which includes a 20% landing fee rebate at Changi Airport for all freighter flights, partnership funding support for new cargo development initiatives, as well as up to 20% rental rebates for cargo tenants leasing CAG’s cargo facilities at the Changi Airfreight Centre.

Mr Fong added, “We are actively looking out for innovative projects which can help our airline partners diversify their cargo segments and strengthen the air hub. Despite the economic uncertainty, we believe that there are still growth opportunities within the region and we are already exploring some of these together with our partners. We hope to welcome new freighter services later this year to expand Changi Airport’s network connectivity.”

With the addition of the AFSCA Best Airport in Asia and Best Green Service Provider – Airport awards, Singapore Changi Airport has garnered 13 Best Airport awards since the start of the year. Changi Airport is the most awarded airport in the world with more than 400 Best Airport awards since 1981.