>>> New aviation park at Seletar Airport
by Derek Yeo - SINGAPORE - 30 May 2006

SINGAPORE plans to rejuvenate Seletar Airport, its general aviation aerodrome in the north of the island, with expanded and upgraded facilities. These include an aerospace park costing about S$60 million.

The makeover will turn Seletar – usually laid back and sleepy – into a buzzing hub for air services, aeroplane maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO). Seletar’s transformation after upgrade and expansion will meet Singapore’s aim to be Asia’s leader in the MRO sector. The photo shows the landmark guard-post (Block 242) at the entrance to the airport, a former Royal Air Force station (see next story).

Work is expected to complete in 2015. By then, the park, covering 140ha, will be larger than 100 soccer pitches. It will provide 10,000 new jobs with an annual turnover of $3.3 billion by 2018.

Singapore’s aviation sector of about 100 firms with a workforce of above 15,000 employees produced S$5.2 billion of parts and services in 2005. This is a record jump of S$0.8 billion from 2004’s value.

The makeover plan for the airport follows years of lobbying – by tenants and residents in Seletar – for improved services and better facilities. Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore(CAAS) manages the airport.

In the words of Mr Ko Kheng Hwa, Economic Development Board's managing director, the decision "signifies the government's strong commitment to grow this industry". A timely decision indeed, as countries in the region and farther afield are building up their aviation industry, too. Johor (in Malaysia) and Dubai (in the Persian Gulf) are examples.

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