CHANGI AIRPORT TERMINAL THREE (Construction)

Mr Chuang Shaw Peng asked the Minister for Communications and Information Technology whether he will consider bringing forward the construction of Changi Airport Terminal Three which was postponed because of the economic crisis.

Mr Yeo Cheow Tong: Sir, Changi Airport Terminal 3 (T3) was originally scheduled to be operational by the year 2004-2005. Due to the drop in air passenger traffic arising from the economic crisis, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) decided to delay the building of T3 for a year to 2006.

However, traffic has improved over the first seven months of this year, going up by 9.5% over the same period last year. CAAS will continue to monitor the traffic situation closely and review the timing for T3 when a more definite trend of air passenger traffic is confirmed.

I would like to assure the House that CAAS remains committed to ensure that Changi Airport is well able to meet the growing air passenger traffic demand. 1.30 pm

Mr Speaker: Order. End of Question time.

[Pursuant to Standing Order No. 21(3), Question Nos. 12 to 16 have been postponed to the sitting of Parliament on 18th August 1999.]