CHANGI AIRPORT (Particulars)

Mr Rohan bin Kamis asked the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour if he will make a statement regarding the construction of Changi Airport with particular reference to the following:-

(i) when it will be fully operational;

(ii) how do the estimated costs and implementation schedule compare with the actuals and with those of similar airports;

(iii) what the next phase will include, how much it will cost and when it will be completed; and

(iv) any other related information which he wishes to give.

The Acting Minister for Social Affairs and Communications (Dr Ahmad Mattar) (for the Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, hon. Members were informed of the progress in the construction of Singapore Changi Airport late last year. Since then, all the essential facilities required to operate the new international airport have been completed.

These completed facilities include a 4,000-metre long first runway and its associated taxiway system, 45 wide-bodied aircraft parking bays, a passenger terminal building capable of handling 10 million passenger movements per annum, a 78-metre tall control tower, communications and navigational aids, and supporting facilities such as freight terminals, flight kitchens, fire stations, meteorological and customs offices.

The communications and navigational aids were commissioned early this year and the facilities are in full operation. The other airport facilities are being tested. Several test flights have successfully landed at and taken off from the new Singapore Changi Airport. More of such flights have been planned. These test flights will enable us to spot and iron out any weaknesses in the new systems before the airport is fully operational.

Our original planning six years ago was to have the first phase of Changi Airport fully operational by December 1980. However, owing to the shortage of labour and construction materials, the operational date of Changi Airport was slightly delayed, Our new airport will now open on 1st July, 1981.

Since May this year, members of the public were allowed to drive around the airport to familiarize themselves with the road system and car parks. Since 1st June, members of the public were allowed to go into the Passenger Terminal Building to familiarize themselves with the various facilities in this huge building. To-date, it is estimated that over 250,000 people have visited the airport.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, we feel that since this new airport is paid out of our people's money, it is only right that they should have a chance to familiarize themselves with its facilities and feel some pride that it belongs to them. Besides, we hope that through these visits to the new airport even before it opens, we would be able to minimize the number of sightseers and visitors when the airport is operational on 1st July. In this way, we would be reducing congestion on the airport roads and in the passenger terminal during the first few weeks of the opening of the new airport.

We had earlier estimated that Phase I of the Changi Airport development would cost about $1 billion. During the last two years, the prices of construction materials and labour had increased sharply. However, by calling and awarding as many tenders as possible within the first three years after deciding in June 1975 to go ahead with the development of Changi Airport and by careful planning, coordination and control, I am pleased to report that we have been able to complete Phase I within the original approved cost. The total cost for the Phase I development is slightly less than $1 billion.

Under the Phase II Development Programme, we will be building a second runway together with its related taxiway system, a second passenger terminal building and more aircraft parking aprons. All these projects should be completed within the next four to five years. We estimated in 1975 that the total costs for the Phase 11 projects should be about $500 million. However, with the large cost escalations in both labour and materials, the costs for Phase 11 projects will definitely be more than estimated six years ago.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, to complete an international airport of the size and standard of Singapore Changi Airport from the drawing board to operational status would normally take at least 10 years and much more than $1 billion. That we have been able to do so within a period of six years and at such reasonable financial costs must surely be attributed to the excellent teamwork, cooperation, dedication and effort put in by all involved with this project - both the planners and the builders. I would like to take this opportunity to record my Ministry's appreciation to all officers from the various Government departments, statutory bodies and from the private sector who have contributed to the successful completion of the Phase I development of Singapore Changi Airport.

Mr Ho See Beng: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to know whether there will be any increase in airport tax when this airport is in operation.

Dr Ahmad Mattar: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I cannot answer that question. I would suggest that the hon. Member wait till the Hon. Minister for Communications and Minister for Labour comes back.