Singapore’s Changi Airport opened in 1981. This programme traces the conception of the airport, covering why it was needed, why the location was chosen, and follows the construction and testing process.
We thoroughly enjoyed your story about the development of Changi Airport in Singapore. We were resident on the island for some 15 years altogether where I was working for an American company. In 1981, we returned to the United States on holiday, leaving from Paya Lebar Airport and returning to the newly-opened Changi Airport. Now we are retired and living in Southern California, during which time we have seen a number of documentaries on Singapore, including Changi Airport along with the development of the MRT. Both of these projects were truly engineering marvels. We returned to Singapore on holiday in 1995 and again in 2016. These fond memories are truly treasured.
I was a very young boy when my flight landed at Changi in late December 1981. I still remember that day, basically love at first sight. 40+ years, and gazillion of airports later, Changi is still my favorite.
Thank you for uploading. This explain why Singapore these days is so far ahead in so many ways. The very advanced level of planning, coordination, prioritisation and cooperation between teams is breathtaking. The decision to keep consultants at the minimum and keep the knowledge in-house is what a lot of companies should learn from. Obviously the Singapore government had confidence in its people and willing to invest in its people.
The Concorde at 3:20 is probably one of the rarest Concorde variants, only lasted from 1977 until 1980. IIRC part of the reason why the deal between British Airways and Singapore Airlines fell through was due to Tun Dr Mahathir (Also a new Malaysian Prime Minister in 1981) threatened to cancel important contracts that would leave Singapore dry (quite literally, since Singapore needed clean water from Malaysia). At that time, the Singapore Concordes going to London would fly above Terengganu and disrupt locals with loud sonic booms. In the end, due to threats and higher fuel prices the Concorde program eventually stopped in SEA regions, only going as far as Hong Kong in Asia.
The people in the airport in the documentary were members of the public when it was opened for tours before it began operations. I was there as an 11 year old and was mesmerized by how advanced it was 😂
I grew up going to old Paya lebar to watch planes,.... but in Changi,.. I was in awe of the airport and the planes. This video brought many beautiful memories.
When Changi Airport was opened in July 1981, it was big international news n was even featured on the cover page of the global magazine Time as It was a mammoth airport at that time. Singapore had arrived. Soon it started a trend n other cities followed suit by building big airports eg.HK, Seoul, Osaka, Bangkok KL etc. Glad to say I was one of the privileged first passengers to test out Changi airport by flying off on Singapore Airlines from there to Taiwan in May 1981 as arranged by CAAS before it was opened to start operations. It was my first time seeing an aerobridge. I went via highway PIE which was also brand new and there was hardly any traffic. It was also the funeral day of ex president Sheares.
I was born in 1981.. same year as changi official opening.. wondering how old were those engineers and workers who build changi airport tirelessly will be right now.. thank you, pioneers once again..
As an Indonesian in 1988-90, I only heard about how great is Changi Airport from my Uncle and Auntie that frequently fly to SIN, and in 2007 finally the first time I landed at Changi T2 and depart from T1 so happy and now already experienced for T3 also.
Grea so interesting, eye opening. From the sea, land was reclaimed and from the barren land an airport was built to become the best airport in the world............... Amazing.
Amazing video! Thank you for sharing these with all of us. Brings back memories of me as a 7 year old going to the airport when it first opened. My treat was a violet crumble chocolate that day.
Singapore builds new airport, where the original terminal is still in use, having been expanded over the years. Manila, builds new airport terminal which is obsolete by 1993.
What a fascinating documentary not just how ground-breaking Changi Airport was from conceptualization to construction, but how these solid foundations that Changi Airport was built upon has gone on to continue to secure the global position of Changi Airport as being the best in the world. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to take a fascinating peek back into time to Singapore of the 70s and 80s. Constructing such a massive structure without the conveniences and technology of the modern era is truly indeed amazing and inspiring!
CHANGI AIRPORT CREATES A HISTORY OF WHAT NOTHING OTHER AIRPORT HAS IN THE WORLD FROM THOSE DAYS UNTIL TODAY!! Look at the difference of what Changi Airport was then until today!!
i'm Indonesian i'm very satisfied about this video because it was educating about this airport. btw how about your opinion about Changi airport in the present and its opposite airport CGK airport INA ? please your answer and thank you.
It was-on lease from British airways . It was really done for marketing purposes.singapore airlines quickly realised it could only be flown with a small measure of success (at super sonic speed) over the Indian ocean .
