Dear Readers,
Literally on the first day of 2020, Changi Airport’s media duty team alerted me of a query from the local broadcasting station. Was Changi Airport putting in place temperature checks in light of media reports of a mysterious pneumonia outbreak in Wuhan?
Little did we know then that what was to follow would be a global pandemic that would go on to cripple aviation and the travel industry. In what has been described as “the year everything changed”, 2020 has seen tremendous challenges for people and businesses the world over. The number of lives lost has been tragic.
Against this backdrop, Changi Airport Group and its partners have had to adapt and adjust to changing business conditions. Even as passenger traffic plummeted, we remained focussed on ensuring that airport operations continued to run smoothly. This included ensuring our preparedness for emergencies with the conduct of our annual Exercise Bobcat.
Our retail operations pivoted to serving customers online and non-travellers while airport staff took on new roles as they expanded their responsibilities. Yes, everything changed for us in aviation, in the toughest year ever that the industry has witnessed. Yet, we have been heartened by incredible stories of resilience, innovation and unity.
And as 2021 dawns on us, we await the first Covid-19 vaccines with delivery to Singapore expected before the year-end. Certainly, Changi Airport is preparing for this very important welcome.
I hope you enjoy reading the four stories in this issue of Changi Journeys of how Changi Airport has met the challenges of Covid-19. Thank you for your continued support.
Season’s greetings and may you fulfil your wanderlust in the new year.
Ivan Tan
Group Senior Vice President
Corporate & Marketing Communications
Changi Airport Group
Other Articles
Staying prepared for an airport emergency
Though Covid-19 has resulted in fewer planes flying in and out of Changi, the airport has not lowered its guard when it comes to aircraft emergency preparedness. Changi held its annual full-scale aircraft emergency exercise to allow CAG, airport partners like airlines and ground handling agents, and government agencies to test the robustness of their emergency procedures.
How businesses at Changi Airport are adapting to Covid-19
At Changi, the airport community has stepped up to the plate to keep visitors and staff safe amidst the pandemic. Businesses in the airport have also played their part to keep visitors safe, all while adapting and innovating in order to survive. We take a closer look at how some businesses at the airport have transformed the way they operate.
Ensuring the effective delivery of Covid-19 vaccines
With strict handling conditions needed to effectively transport Covid-19 vaccines, coupled with the current air cargo capacity crunch, Changi Journeys finds out how Changi Airport and the air cargo community is rising to the challenge to ensure the safe, timely and effective transport and distribution of vaccines when they are ready.