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Changi Airport clinches World’s Best Airport 2023 after losing for past 2 years https://mothership.sg/2023/03/changi-airport-world-best-airport-skytrax/ https://skytraxratings.com/singapore-changi-airport-is-named-the-worlds-best-airport-2023

Lol..... https://themalaysianreserve.com/2022/08/16/klia-lgk-among-worlds-best-airports-in-2q22/

In 2023, Changi Airport was once again ranked as the best airport in the world. I suspect that’s also in no small part due to Jewel Changi Airport, a sprawling retail complex that features themed gardens, lots of greenery, and the world’s tallest indoor waterfall. Of course, you don’t have to book a flight out of Singapore to experience the wonders that Jewel can offer. You can simply drive there. (Or take a train. Or bus. Or Grab.) Manoeuvrability: Tight or not? There should be no issues getting around the carpark. It’s not particularly tight, lighting is excellent, and traffic flow is generally quite good except at super peak timings. The only slightly tighter section is one right turn nearing the exit gantry, but otherwise there should be no issue unless you are a terrible driver. 9/10 Ease of navigation: Confusing or not? It’s a very big carpark, and there is definitely a risk of ‘losing’ your car. Luckily, there are handy digital directories that will come to your aid – simply key in the digits of your car plate and it will show you your car’s location, and also provide directions to get you there. Otherwise, the other challenge you may find is actually knowing which lobby goes to where, especially because the carpark is connected to Terminal 1. Just a quick Internet search beforehand and you should be fine. 7/10 Lot availability: Crowded or not? There are 3 basement levels of lots, not including the B2 short-term parking floor. It’s huge – 2,500 lots. Yes, you may not be able to find a lot on B3 near your preferred lobby, but head down to the lower levels and lots are aplenty. 10/10 Cost: Expensive of not? $0.04/min for general parking (B3 to B5), which translates to $2.40 an hour. It’s on the pricey side, but hey, what’s the alternative? Other terminals? Same price. 5/10 EV Chargers: Can charge or not? There are 6 EV charging lots in Jewel (specifically, B3, Lobby C, parking spaces 207-212), which offer up to 22kW AC charging. For a carpark of this size, it’s actually not that many. More will (and should) likely be built in time to come. 6/10 Motorcycle lots: Bike-friendly or not? There are a decent number of lots available, though the actual lots are tucked away in sections of the carpark that are not so easily located. $1.30 per entry. 7/10 Accessibility: Can find or not? It’s Jewel. It’s the airport. Only one way in, only one way out. Just follow the signs. 10/10 Overall design: Good or not? Beyond the pricing, there shouldn’t be many complaints about the Jewel carpark. Its biggest issue is its sheer size, which can make finding your car slightly challenging if you have a poor sense of direction or memory. However, the available directories help solve that problem. 9/10

Robot traffic cop spotted at Changi Airport Sources: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/robot-traffic-cop-spotted-at-changi-airport The robot, which belongs to Certis which provides security services at Changi Airport, is currently on trial. SINGAPORE - A robot traffic cop has been spotted at Changi Airport. In a video obtained by The Straits Times, an orange and black robot about 1m tall is seen with the words "Traffic Enforcement in Progress" flashing. It stops, points its camera at a car that is waiting at an unauthorised area and flashes the sign "No Parking". The robot, which belongs to Certis which provides security services at Changi Airport, is currently on trial. Its job is to conduct patrols but it does not issue summonses. A Certis spokesman said: “As part of our ongoing efforts to reimagine new concepts in advanced security operations, Certis has been conducting trials at Changi Airport in the past two weeks." The robot is fully autonomous, and encourages smooth traffic flow, added the spokesman. If feasible, such robots will take some of the load off Certis officers who can then be deployed to do other duties. At Changi Airport, where the firm has about 4,000 staff, leveraging technology is critical, Mr Tan Toi Chia, senior vice-president of corporate planning, group communications and marketing, said last month. At the Certis Integrated Operations Centre at Terminal 2, for example, a network of thousands of cameras helps staff keep a 24/7 watch on the passenger terminals, airport perimeter and Airport Boulevard. Even as technology continues to develop and robots perform some security functions, “the human touch will always be required”, Mr Tan told ST then. “Technology will help us do things better, faster and more effectively, but it will never replace humans 100 per cent,” he said. The robot trial is the latest initiative at Changi Airport that has been turning to technology to operate more efficiently and reduce the reliance on manpower. Across all operations, from passenger check-in to baggage and cargo handling, as well as cleaning services, new technology and systems have been rolled out in the last few years. For example, more than seven in 10 departing passengers now have access to Changi’s Fast and Seamless Travel initiatives. This allows them to opt for self-service check-in, bag tagging and boarding.

Disney fans, check this out. Jewel Changi Airport (Jewel) has launched a range of Disney-themed activities to pay tribute to nearly 100 years of iconic storytelling from The Walt Disney Company. Enjoy spectacular displays and experience wonders featuring some of Disney’s most beloved characters. Fans can also shop for Disney merchandise and collectibles at Disney-themed Year of the Rabbit Tsum Tsum pop-up store located at level B1 (#B1-219/220). MEET & GREET 13 – 15 January 2023 Shiseido Forest Valley Timings: 1pm, 2pm, 4pm & 5pm As part of their launch celebrations, some well-loved Disney friends will be stopping by Jewel for a special meet & greet!* Join them at these times to say hi and create some picture-perfect memories with your loved ones. * Terms apply The meet and greet is open to the public No purchase is necessary Meet and greet passes will be distributed fifteen (15) minutes before each session on a first-come, first-served basis Only guests with meet and greet passes will be accommodated Each meet and greet pass is valid for one (1) family/group One family/group comprises a maximum of five (5) people Strictly one photo per family/group Participants should use their own devices for photographs No food, drinks, pets, luggage or strollers allowed inside the meet and greet area Kindly look after your personal belongings and valuable items. Our meet and greet crew, the management team, Disney or Jewel, are not liable for any loss or damage to your personal belongings Passes are limited and subject to availability LIGHT & MUSIC SHOWCASE 13 January – 15 January 2023 HSBC Rain Vortex Be enthralled by the new Disney100 Light & Sound show featuring a plethora of characters from iconic Disney films over the century. Exclusively for the launch weekend from 13 to 15 January, catch an extended version of the show at 7.30pm where fans can sing along to favourite classics like When You Wish Upon A Star, A Whole New World and You’ve Got A Friend In Me while feeling the exhilaration of traversing through Portals from Avengers: Endgame. As part of the 7.30pm showcase, there will also be a special performance with appearances by well-loved friends from Disney so come join us a for a surprise at every turn! DISNEY-THEMED PHOTO SPOTS INCLUDING A 4-METRE PLATINUM MICKEY STATUE 13 January – 9 April 2023 Shiseido Forest Valley Step through the Disney100 archway and emerge in front of a 4-metre-tall platinum statue of Mickey Mouse. Explore exclusive Disney-themed photo spots only on display in Singapore at Shiseido Forest Valley. Inspired by scenes from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies, these interactive photo spots at the Shiseido Forest Valley and Canopy Park are sure to bring back fond memories all while capturing new ones! In collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), four other photo spots have also been created with a local twist. Discover interesting elements of Singapore combined with intriguing features from some of Disney’s films such as Singapore’s national flower, Vanda Miss Joaquim, with the flowers seen in Encanto, as well as images of the red pandas residing in River Wonders with Turning Red, and more. DISNEY-THEMED YEAR OF THE RABBIT TSUM TSUM POP-UP STORE AND THE WONDER STORE 12 January – 26 February 2023 Disney fans rejoice as you shop to your hearts’ content in the Disney-themed Year of the Rabbit Tsum Tsum pop-up store, on level B1 (#B1-219/220). The Disney-themed pop-up store at Jewel, one of the largest in Singapore, will offer merchandise such as toys, stationery, apparel, homeware and more. 1 March 2023 – 30 June 2024 From 1 March 2023 onwards, the retail pop-up will be transformed into The Wonder Store which will feature Disney100-themed merchandise, with a wide assortment across Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars. Apart from the pop-up store, select stores all around Jewel will also be retailing Disney-inspired merchandise including apparel, footwear, jewellery, leather goods and stationery. https://www.moneydigest.sg/jewel-changi-airport-has-disney100-light-sound-show-photo-spots-meet-greet-sessions-more-from-13-jan-23/

Travellers flying out of Changi Airport to pay higher fees, charges from Nov 1 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/travellers-flying-out-of-changi-airport-to-pay-higher-fees-and-charges-from-nov-1 15 Sep 2022 10:00 PM SINGAPORE - Passengers flying out of Changi Airport will have to pay more in airport charges from Nov 1, as international air travel continues to recover from the effects of Covid-19. Passengers on flights originating from Changi Airport currently pay a departure fee of $52.30, comprising a $35.40 passenger service and security fee collected by Changi Airport Group (CAG), as well as a $6.10 aviation levy and a $10.80 airport development levy collected by the Government. With the fee hike announced on Thursday, the total departure fee will go up by $6.90 to $59.20 from Nov 1, and subsequently increase by $3 to $62.20 from April 2023 and by another $3 to $65.20 from April 2024. Passengers whose air tickets are issued before Nov 1 will not pay the higher fees and levies, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and CAG in a joint statement. There will be no change to the departure fee for transit passengers, who will continue to pay $9 in airport charges for each flight. Meanwhile, airlines will also have to pay more in aircraft parking and landing fees, CAAS and CAG added. The statement said the fees and levies charged will fund CAG's operations, the upgrading of terminals and its future development plans. The charges will also go towards the air hub development and regulatory functions of CAAS – such spending is expected to grow as CAAS works to rebuild Singapore’s position as a global air hub post-pandemic, the statement said. Work on the upcoming Changi Airport Terminal 5 has restarted after a two-year pause brought on by Covid-19, with the mega-terminal expected to serve 50 million passengers a year when completed in the mid-2030s – more than T1 and T3 put together. Airport charges at Changi were last revised in 2018. At that time, CAG said its passenger service and security fee would increase by $2.50 a year until 2024, which meant that the fee should have gone up from $35.40 in 2020 to $37.90 last year and $40.40 earlier this year. But the authorities held off the planned increases in 2021 and 2022 in view of the pandemic. From Nov 1, the fee will be raised to the planned $40.40 to cover the higher cost of operations, and increase again thereafter, CAG and CAAS said. The aviation levy collected by CAAS will be raised for the first time since it was introduced in 2009 as well – from $6.10 now to $8 from Nov 1. The levy, which applies only to departing passengers with flights originating from Changi Airport, will remain at $8 in 2023 and 2024. The latest fee hike comes during the same week that Changi Airport Terminal 4 welcomed its first flights on Tuesday, after it was shut in May 2020 due to plummeting air traffic at the start of the pandemic. The reopening of T4, which has a handling capacity of 16 million passengers a year, will add to Changi Airport's capacity, as will the reopening of the southern half of Terminal 2 from Oct 11. This will restore Changi Airport's handling capacity to its pre-pandemic level of 70 million passengers a year. Passenger traffic at the airport is now averaging 58 per cent of 2019 levels. Flight numbers are slightly higher, at 64 per cent. SOURCE: CAAS, CAG Changi Airport is not alone in increasing its fees, after more than two years of international border restrictions ate into the revenues of airports worldwide. Last year, Schiphol airport in Amsterdam announced plans to increase the fees levied on airlines by 37 per cent over the next three years – a move that drew a sharp rebuke from the International Air Transport Association (Iata). The Dutch government plans to more than triple the country’s air passenger tax in January next year to €28.58 (S$40), up from €7.95 currently. Mr Philip Goh, Iata’s regional vice-president for Asia-Pacific, said the timing of the fee increases at Changi Airport is less than ideal, as any additional costs will negatively impact the financials of airlines. He noted that the Asia-Pacific airline industry is still in the early stages of recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, with international passenger demand in the region only at about 36 per cent of 2019 levels as at July this year. In comparison, other regions have seen demand rebound to more than 70 per cent of 2019 levels. “Aviation hubs like Singapore must ensure they remain cost-efficient in order to maintain their attractiveness to airline operators,” he said. “We hope the next regulatory review of these charges in 2024 will keep in mind a need for moderation and improvements when considering any further increase in aviation charges.” A spokesman for Jetstar Asia said it is disappointing that higher airport taxes are being introduced while airlines are still recovering from the pandemic, and from soaring fuel prices. “We are committed to ensuring our fares remain affordable but as a low-cost carrier, taxes make up a significant part of our fares. We will work to manage these additional costs to minimise the impact to our customers,” she said. SIA Group said it will implement all additional levies accordingly, and it aims to mitigate rising costs by improving productivity and operational efficiency, while exercising strict cost discipline. Mr Mohshin Aziz, director of the Pangolin Aviation Recovery Fund, which invests in aviation businesses, said he was surprised by the timing of the fee hike. “Shouldn’t we wait until the industry fully recovers?” he asked, noting that key markets like China and Japan have yet to fully reopen their borders. Mr Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation consultancy Endau Analytics, said it is inevitable that airport charges are hiked. He added: “There’s a cost to ensure Changi retains its position as one of the world’s best.” Ms Edlyn Phua, 31, who has plans to travel at the end of the year, said the increase in airport charges is not significant compared with other travel-related expenses, which have also risen in price. “I can accept the increased levy since it has been nearly three years since I’ve travelled. The bigger consideration for me will be the destination and airfares,” the market research consultant added.

Hello, Just wanted to find out if anyone has tried this before: I will be landing at Terminal 3 and checking the CTC/QTC list at the MOH website, it seems that that is a Raffles Medical clinic at Terminal 3 that does the ART OAT. I was wondering if I could just cross over and do my ART OAT and then clear it, then go home... just want to cut the hassle of having to go to another place with my kids in tow to get the ART OAT done. CTC = Combined Test Centre QTC = Quick Test Centre OAT = On-Arrival Test ART = Antigen Rapid Test I found the clinic location here. I'm wondering if this clinic is accessible to the public and serves the public at all. I remember taking my wife for a consultation at a Raffles Medical Clinic some years back during one of our trips... not sure if it's the same one... Do let me know if I am barking up the wrong tree... thanks! https://www.gowhere.gov.sg/testcentres?result=819645&status=success

Man arrested in Singapore Changi Airport for buying ticket just to wave his wife off at the gate Source: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/singapore-airport-ticket-arrest/ (CNN) — With an on-site butterfly dome, cactus garden and four-story slide, Singapore's Changi airport regularly tops rankings of the best airports in the world. But some travelers are taking a little too much of a shine to it. The Singapore Police Force has issued a warning to residents not to "misuse" their boarding passes after a man was arrested for buying a ticket to walk his wife to the gate. A police sign in Singapore Changi airport warns passengers against entering the transit area illegally. Singapore Police Force/Facebook The misuse of boarding passes is an offense in Singapore, where transit areas are considered "protected places." Anyone accessing the gate-side areas at Changi without intending to fly can be prosecuted under Singapore's Infrastructure Protection Act and fined up to S$20,000 (US$14,300) or imprisoned for up to two years. Thirty three people have been arrested under the legislation in the first eight months of 2019. Police said the 27-year-old bought a ticket purely to walk his wife to the gate and had "no intention to depart Singapore." In a Facebook post they added that "passengers who enter the transit areas with a boarding pass should only be there for the purpose of traveling to their next destination." Airport attraction Changi Airport is regularly voted among the world's best. Roslan Rahman/AFP/Getty Images If the idea that anyone would actively want to spend time in an airport sounds odd, you haven't flown through Singapore. When Changi's new Jewel terminal opened in April, it made headlines around the globe for its 40-meter waterfall (the world's largest indoor one), a 14,000-square-meter Canopy Park, complete with a suspension bridge, topiary and mazes, and one of Asia's largest indoor gardens with 3,000 trees and 60,000 shrubs. Overstaying your welcome in the terminal is a thing, here. In 2016, a Malaysian man was jailed after he spent 18 days in Changi, forging boarding passes to gain entry to nine airport lounges. Shortly afterward, a couple was arrested for booking flexible tickets to gain access to the Changi shopping mall, where they bought an iPhone 7. Other passengers have been known to book refundable tickets which they cancel before the flight takes off, having enjoyed the airport.

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/toddler-dies-after-mirror-falls-her-fashion-store-jewel-changi-airport SINGAPORE - An 18-month-old toddler died in hospital on Friday (Aug 23) after a standing mirror fell on her inside fashion store Urban Revivo at Jewel Changi Airport. A spokesman for Jewel Changi Airport said that the accident had occurred because a full-length mirror in the store had fallen and injured the child. Staff on-site administered first aid to the child while waiting for the paramedics to arrive. "We are working closely with the tenant to ascertain the details of the incident," said the spokesman. "Out of respect for the privacy of the family, we are unable to comment further." The Singapore Civil Defence Force said they responded to a medical incident at 78 Airport Boulevard at 12.33pm on Friday. Police said the child was unconscious when she was taken to Changi General Hospital, where she was subsequently pronounced dead. Police are investigating the unnatural death. According to Lianhe Wanbao, the child's family, believed to be tourists from China, collected her body from the morgue on Aug 24, accompanied by Jewel staff. PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO Urban Revivo told The Straits Times it was "deeply saddened by the tragic accident" and that it was assisting the police with its investigations. Both the store and Jewel Changi Airport said they were in contact with the family of the child and supporting them through the difficult time. According to Chinese-language newspaper Lianhe Wanbao, the child's family, believed to be tourists from China, collected her body from the morgue on Saturday morning, accompanied by Jewel staff. Pictures taken after the accident show the store was cordoned off and a sign was put up to inform customers it was "closed for stock take". Pictures taken after the accident show the store was cordoned off and a sign was put up to inform customers it was "closed for stock take". PHOTO: LIANHE WANBAO Shin Min Daily News reported that witnesses at the mall saw staff from the store asking nearby shops for ice to apply first aid for the toddler after the accident. According to its website, Urban Revivo is a Chinese fashion clothing store founded in 2006, with 200 stores in China and across the world, including Europe, North America and Japan. The store has three outlets in Singapore, including Jewel Changi Airport, Plaza Singapura and Raffles City. Several incidents have been reported at Jewel Changi Airport since it opened its doors in April. Read also Boy, 5, injured after slipper gets caught in Jewel Changi Airport's escalator On May 11, a five-year-old boy suffered a minor cut on his toe after his slipper was caught in an escalator. He was assessed by a doctor on the site after the incident. Three cases of injury were reported in June. On June 14, a woman injured her hand after tripping while walking on the sky nets attraction at Canopy Park. A 14-year-old girl required nine stitches on her face after she suffered a cut while playing at the Mirror Maze attraction at Canopy Park on June 19. A boy was taken to hospital on June 24 after getting his foot stuck in an escalator. Rescue tools were used to free the boy's foot before he was taken to KK Women's and Children's Hospital. This article was first published in The Straits Times. Permission required for reproduction.

37 flights delayed, one runway closed for 10 hours, due to unauthorised drones around Changi Airport Sources: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/37-flights-delayed-one-runway-closed-for-10-hours-due-to-unauthorised-drones SINGAPORE - Some 37 flights were delayed and one of Changi Airport's two runways was closed for 10 hours, after unauthorised drones were spotted flying in the vicinity of the airport on Tuesday (June 18) and Wednesday, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said on Wednesday evening. "To ensure the safety of aircraft operations and passengers, the operations of one runway were suspended for short periods of time between 11pm on June 18 and 9am on June 19," said the authority in a statement to the media. The CAAS noted that Changi Airport continued to operate with one runway while operations on the other runway were suspended. The agency added that about 37 scheduled departure and arrival flights were delayed as a result, with one arrival flight being diverted to Kuala Lumpur. A multi-agency team that includes the CAAS, Changi Airport Group, the Singapore Armed Forces and the police has been activated for search and locate operations. Investigations are ongoing, said the authority. "The authorities take a serious view of errant operations of unmanned aircraft which may pose threats to aviation or endanger the personal safety of others, and will not hesitate to take enforcement action against those who contravene regulations," said the CAAS. Under the Unmanned Aircraft (Public Safety and Security) Act, the flying of drones within 5km of airports or military airbases, or at altitudes above 200ft (61m), without a permit is an offence. Those found guilty of violating these regulations face a fine of up to $20,000 or up to 12 months in jail, or both penalties. Drones have disrupted civil aviation elsewhere. In December last year, unauthorised drone activity disrupted flights at London's Gatwick Airport for three days, affecting about 140,000 passengers and 1,000 flights. In January, Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min said in Parliament that there had been eight reports of unauthorised drones flying within 5km of Changi Airport over the past three years, though none of these cases involved intrusions into the airport.

Hello Kitty cafe in Singapore to shut down in February 2019 https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/food/hello-kitty-cafe-in-singapore-to-shut-down-in-february-2019. SINGAPORE - Singapore's first Hello Kitty-themed cafe, which opened amid much fanfare more than two years ago at Changi Airport's Terminal 3 arrival hall, will be closing early next year. "They say all good things come to an end, and Hello Kitty Orchid Garden will be shutting its doors for good come February 2019," said the cafe in a Facebook post on Friday (Oct 12). It added in a statement that its last day of operations will be on Feb 8 next year. Responding to queries from The Straits Times, Ms Fiona Chin, assistant manager for marketing at Europa Specialty Restaurant, which owns and operates the cafe, said the decision to close the cafe comes with the end of the company's licence and partnership with Sanrio, the Japanese company which owns the Hello Kitty Brand. She added that there are no plans to relocate the cafe, which will be closed permanently. As for whether there will be any Hello Kitty cafes in Singapore in future, she declined to comment. "We would like to express gratitude and appreciation to all the fans and supporters of the cafe. We are humbled by the support and look forward to bringing our customers more exciting F&B themes and concepts,” said Ms Chin. The eatery, the world's first 24-hour Hello Kitty cafe, drew hundreds of fans at its opening in May 2016, with some queueing up hours before it opened. Its Hello Kitty-inspired dishes include waffles in the shape of the iconic feline character, as well as smoked salmon sandwiches, spicy dried shrimp sambal pasta and frozen yogurt. In July this year, the cafe also announced the launch of ice-cream mooncakes featuring the character.. To mark its departure, the cafe will be throwing four tea parties in December. Tickets to the party, sold at $138 for a pair, include canapes, gelato as well as limited-edition Hello Kitty merchandise. The sessions, which will be held at the cafe, will also feature games, quizzes and lucky draws. The Straits Times has contacted the cafe for more details on why it is closing and whether it is relocating elsewhere.

i sua ku and this is new to me

For all your children who love Hello Kitty and maybe yourself? Another reason to visit Changi Airport to soak in the Christmas fest. Hello Kitty and her Sanrio friends landed at Changi Airport on Friday (Nov 17) to bring festive cheer to travellers and airport visitors. The cute-fest lasts till Jan 5 next year. Here’s what visitors can expect: SINGAPORE'S LARGEST INDOOR DRONE SHOW Forty drones will light up the airport’s Terminal 3 Departure Hall, forming various shapes such as a snowflake and a Christmas tree, every night at 7.30pm and 9pm. Popular Sanrio characters will also dance to Christmas tunes. ACTIVITIES AND PRIZES TO BE WON Next to check-in row 11 at T3’s Departure Hall, a series of games have been planned for visitors, with attractive prizes to be won. SANRIO-THEMED PLAYGROUND According to Changi, the playground is a “first in any airport in Asia”. For the full news, please visit https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/in-pictures-hello-kitty-and-friends-at-changi-airport-9417098?cid=FBcna

Hi MCFers and frequent travellers, Want to ask if the duty-free liquor and beer at Changi Airport is really the cheapest and best-est as often claimed by DFS itself (of course) and many Singaporeans who only buy from there when they return from overseas? I have always been under that impression and thus NEVER EVER look at duty-free shops at overseas airports but quai quai (dutifully) wait till I have landed at Changi to duly file into DFS Changi to buy my quota. Don't travel frequently so blur in this area. Any frequent MCF-travellers can shed insights? Or have I been snooked by DFS for the longest time ever?

any bros can advise? no more such promo huh.. probably gathered enough pubilicity !!

heng i dun go all the way there to try these overpriced, and now "not so famous after all", hawker food rather go to the original ones also remind me of the famous claypot laksa at depot road last time.... many used "depot road" as their names, misleading the customers The week-old food street at Changi Airport, which was touted as offering 13 popular hawker stalls from different corners of the island, is not what it has been made out to be. The Straits Times has found that of the 13 stalls at the 10,800 sq-ft Singapore Food Street in Terminal 3's transit area, seven bear no direct links to the original famous stalls. Some are new start-ups while others are named after streets or areas well-known for particular dishes but have no connection to the original brands. For instance, Jalan Tua Kong Minced Pork Noodles at the airport food street is not an offshoot of the famed 132 Meepok in Marine Terrace, which was located in Jalan Tua Kong in the 1990s. It is also not related to Jalan Tua Kong Lau Lim Mee Pok Kway Teow Mee in Bedok Road. Instead, it is run by Mr Tan Dee Hond, 33, who told The Straits Times that he had worked at the Lau Lim stall for about two years in the mid-90s. The owners of two popular char kway teow stalls at Old Airport Road, Dong Ji and Lao Fu Zi, said they did not open the Old Airport Road Fried Kway Teow & Carrot Cake stall at Terminal 3. Nor is Mr Elvis Tan, 54, who owns East Coast BBQ Seafood at East Coast Lagoon Food Village, behind the airport's new East Coast Lagoon BBQ Seafood stall. As for the airport's Tiong Bahru Meng Kee Roast Duck, there is no such stall in Tiong Bahru hawker centre. The owner of the airport's Tiong Bahru Meng Kee Roast Duck Mr Wen Yee Thim, 40, said he named the stall after his older brother, and included Tiong Bahru in the name because he learnt his roast meat preparation skills at a stall in Tiong Bahru in the mid 1990s. When asked if naming the stalls after a street or an area that is famed for a particular dish was a misrepresentation, Select Group's executive director Jack Tan, 45, said: "If you use the name of the stall, then you're in trouble, but if you don't use the name and just use the street, it's free for all." He added: "I think there was a miscommunication because there really are some famous hawkers there but maybe not 100 per cent. We just want to associate the street name with our product and our concept of it being a food street." He added: "We can't use specific names because they may be trademarked or registered, that's why we use street names." The airport hawker stall called Changi Village Nasi Lemak is run by someone who once worked at one of Changi Village hawker centre's two famous nasi lemak stalls, Mizzy's Corner and International Muslim Food Nasi Lemak. When asked which stall in Changi Village she had worked for, Mr Tan said: "I don't know which stall, because she didn't mention which stall, but I think it is one of the quite famous ones. I trusted her by doing the food tasting." Only three of the stalls in the food street - Odeon Beef Noodles, Sin Ming Road Rong Cheng Bak Kut Teh, and Kampong Cafe - are directly linked to the original stalls. Changi Airport Group's spokesman Robin Goh said that while some of the stalls may have direct association with the original brands, and others have indirect links in varying degrees, for instance through former chefs or employees, "the operator's naming of the remaining stalls after certain locations may have given the wrong impression that they are directly connected to popular stalls at these locations". He said that the airport would be working with Select to rename stalls that do not have direct association with the original hawker brands. Engineer Kelvin Sng, 25, who dined at the food street last week, was taken aback when a staff at the food stall he was ordering from told him that its name was "borrowed" and that it was "not original". But he said the roast meat rice he had was "good and satisfying". It is a common practice for hawkers to capitalise on the name of a well-known, location-specific type of food such as Katong laksa and Jalan Kayu roti prata. Mr Boo Geok Beng, 63, owner of Kampong Carrot Cake in Tiong Bahru, said: "It is common for people to use the Tiong Bahru name because of the popularity of the hawker centre." But the prevalence of the practice does not make it right, said Mr K.F. Seetoh, 50, street food advocate and founder of street food guide Makansutra. He said: "The new stall will be living off someone else's reputation, someone else's good will. You cannot register a street name and there is no law against it, but it is not right." [email protected] - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/stalls-changi-airport-food-street-not-so-famous-after-al#sthash.LCmGFFJC.dpuf Changi Airport's hawker stalls: Not so famous after allPublished on Aug 1, 2014- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/stalls-changi-airport-food-street-not-so-famous-after-al#sthash.LCmGFFJC.dpuf Changi Airport's hawker stalls: Not so famous after allPublished on Aug 1, 2014- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/stalls-changi-airport-food-street-not-so-famous-after-al#sthash.LCmGFFJC.dpuf Changi Airport's hawker stalls: Not so famous after all - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/stalls-changi-airport-food-street-not-so-famous-after-al#sthash.LCmGFFJC.dpuf

SINGAPORE - Food and beverage outlets at Changi Airport's Terminal 3 (T3) had to halt sales of drinks and soup on Thursday due to issues with the tap water. F&B operators found light brown water flowing out of their taps at about 3pm, and it only started to run clear after 5pm, Lianhe Zaobao reported. But most did not resume sale of drinks and soup even then. The issue had still not been fully resolved by 11pm on Thursday, Zaobao said. This is believed to be the first time there has been an issue with the water supply at the terminal. The airport advised operators and visitors not to drink the water, use it to prepare food, or for cleaning. Changi Airport Group (CAG) distributed bottled water to affected food outlets, employees and airport visitors. F&B operators also turned on their taps so that the brownish water could flow out, as instructed by the authorities. One cafe had put up a sign which read "No Tea, Coffee". Staff at the cafe said they were serving only toast, but the airport had provided bottled water for patrons. There were also signs in T3's toilets reminding visitors not to drink the tap water. Cleaners told visitors to drink the bottled water provided by the airport, which were placed by the sinks. National water agency PUB received a request from CAG at about 7pm on Thursday to provide a temporary water supply, and to check T3's water quality. PUB sent a water wagon to the terminal, and is assisting CAG with water quality tests. Meanwhile, the quality of incoming water supply from the PUB mains was found to be satisfactory. A spokesman from CAG said they will confirm if the water is potable after clear water supply is resumed. - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/more-singapore-stories/story/brownish-tap-water-changi-airport-terminal-3-fb-outlets-#xtor=CS1-10

Was on the way to Changi airport yst to pick up relatives. Saw a accident involving taxis and private car. The road along the airport is quite a mess now. If you drive to airport once in a blue moon, better watch out. The road has become hazardous particularly with the long queues of taxi IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. This is due to the relocation of terminal 1's taxi arrival and car park. And I'm sure the accident I saw wasn't the first nor the last. Pls drive cautiously slow upon sight of airport.

U-turn so fast... TODAY reports: A one-month trial of having a separate queue for premium taxis at Changi Airport's Terminal 1 "to ensure efficient despatch of taxis" has been halted abruptly after just one day. PHOTOS The trial of a separate premium-taxi queue at Changi Airport Terminal 1 has been stopped, airport staff said. (Photo: TODAY) ENLARGE CAPTION SINGAPORE: Changi Airport on Tuesday (Dec 9) abruptly discontinued a one-month trial of a separate queue for premium taxis at Terminal 1 (T1) — only a day after it started, following strong unhappiness expressed by cabbies at the arrangement. The trial began on Monday, but when TODAY visited T1 late Tuesday night, staff said it has been stopped. Pictures and videos had circulated online of lines of premium taxis blaring horns and parked along the road leading up to the T1 taxi stand. The staff confirmed there had been a commotion, but were unable to say why the trial had been discontinued. Speaking to TODAY on Tuesday night, several premium-taxi drivers, who declined to be named, said there had been a WhatsApp message going around asking cabbies of premium taxis to congregate at T1 on Monday night to show their displeasure. A premium-cab driver, who identified himself only as Mr Liang, lamented that the new system made it difficult for premium taxis to attract customers, with few people in the dedicated queue for these taxis, which charge higher rates. TRIAL MEANT TO OPTIMISE EFFICIENCY When contacted, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) declined to comment on the reasons for halting the trial and whether it will resume. In a statement issued to the media on Monday, a CAG spokesperson said the trial was meant to provide commuters with clearer taxi choices while optimising operational efficiency in despatching taxis. “The trial involves the creation of a separate queue for premium taxis at the taxi queue area with a dedicated queue line for passengers who wish to take premium taxis,” she said, adding that this service would be offered daily from 3pm to 1.30am and would continue until Jan 7. She added: “In addition, within the taxi holding area, regular taxis and premium taxis are segregated into two lanes to ensure efficient despatch of taxis.” Prior to implementation, consultations were carried out with the National Taxi Association and various taxi operators, who expressed support for the trial, the spokesperson said. She said the system had worked well when the trial commenced on Monday afternoon, especially during the evening peak period from 4pm to 6pm. “Passenger feedback was positive too, with commuters who were prepared to pay a higher metered fare for a premium taxi service lauding the clearer choices presented to them prior to joining the taxi queues.” The spokesperson said there had been a significant surge in the supply of premium taxis at the airport late on Monday night, resulting in a longer waiting time for taxi drivers. “We acknowledge the unhappiness expressed by some premium-taxi drivers,” she said, adding that CAG will monitor the situation, make adjustments and work with the relevant stakeholders. -TODAY/xk

The future third runway for Changi Airport. The runway is expected to be ready for the airport's use around 2020. Terminal 4 is set to open in 2018, and Terminal 5 in the middle of the next decade. Changi Airport will then be one of the world's biggest airports, with room for 135 million passengers a year. Changi's planners have unveiled ambitious plans for the airport after an 18-month study. A 1,000ha piece of barren land adjacent to the existing premises will be developed for a mega-terminal to cater for up to 50 million travellers a year - more than T2 and T3 combined. When the new T5 opens in the middle of the next decade, Changi will be one of the world's biggest airports, with room for 135 million passengers a year. London's Heathrow - the world's busiest international airport - welcomed about 70 million passengers last year. Also in the pipeline at the new Changi East site: new MRT links and underground rail transfers for passengers between the existing terminals and T5. Hotels and offices, as well as facilities for air freight and aircraft repair, will be built too. Before the new facility opens, Changi Airport will have a third runway around 2020 to handle more flights. The plans announced last Friday by then Minister of State for Transport, Josephine Teo, who leads a 10-member multi-agency committee studying Changi's expansion, look good on paper. Expansion is critical for Singapore to remain the premier air hub amid keen contest from other airports in Malaysia, Thailand, South Korea, Hong Kong and Dubai, to name just a few. But is Changi adding capacity fast enough? A scrutiny of the plans shows cause for concern. Let's assume annual growth of 3 percent to 4 percent - the average over the past decade and fairly conservative, given the projected 6 percent growth for Asia's air travel market. In 2018, when T4 opens and T1 is expanded, Changi's traffic could exceed 64 million - about 75 percent of total capacity. With no announced plans to add more room after that, Changi could be operating at higher than 90 percent capacity in the last few years before T5 opens. Today, the airport uses about 77 percent of its total terminal capacity. Mrs Teo, now Senior Minister of State, admitted last Friday that, "potentially we will see a very tight situation at Changi". But traffic patterns can never be fully predicted, she added. Building ahead of capacity has served Changi well for more than three decades. But with the split of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in 2009, the new Changi Airport Group which runs the airport as a separate corporate entity is mindful to strike a balance between efficient use of resources and building ahead of demand. When T3 opened in 2008, it was dubbed a "ghost town". A potential runway crunch could pose a bigger problem for Changi. Following a study, the CAAS said in December that Changi will not need a third runway until 2018 at the earliest. The existing two runways can support up to 430,000 flights a year if they are better utilised. Nats, which provides air navigation services for London's Heathrow and several other British airports, was roped in for the study. Changi's plans now call for a third runway at the end of the decade. In 2020, total flight numbers could exceed 440,000, again based on a 3 per cent to 4 per cent growth rate. Asked about the later-than-expected timeline for the third runway, CAAS' director-general Yap Ong Heng said at last Friday's press briefing that following the Nats study, new ideas have been drawn up to further increase runway capacity. The airport will also see how it can convince airlines to take up slots during lull hours, he said. In short, he is "confident" the current infrastructure can cope. The revelation, though, has not gone down well with airlines that are already complaining of problems getting slots. A runway squeeze could mean delays for travellers, they warned. Preparing the third runway for operations will also involve downtime for one of the two existing runways. Nats' managing director Paul Reid said when he was in Singapore last year that while Heathrow handles more flights than any other dual-runway airport in the world, this comes at a cost for airlines and travellers. "When something happens at Heathrow, if someone lands and bursts a tyre on the runway, then it's very hard to recover as the schedule is so tight." Similarly, schedules can be thrown out of whack amid bad weather, leading to flight delays and cancellations. Mr Brendan Sobie, a Singapore-based analyst at the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation, has said repeatedly that Changi needs a third runway sooner rather than later. Changi's planners know the need well but the sheer scale of the work involved could explain the later opening. The challenge is in the linking of the third runway to the existing two. To do this, engineers must first relocate a six km stretch of Changi Coast Road and a 60m-wide canal that separate the existing airport from the new site. To add to the already mammoth task, engineers are working on reclaimed land with layers of soft marine clay which could require soil strengthening work. Changi Airport is embarking on its biggest, most challenging expansion since the move from Paya Lebar Airport to Changi in 1981. Few would argue with the statement that Changi is as good as it gets. But if it takes too long to add terminal and runway capacity, it could end up on a slippery slope towards tarnishing its image. If there is one thing travellers hate, it's delays. Snaking security and check-in queues are a pain. Nobody wants to be stuck in a plane on the tarmac waiting for take-off, or in a plane circling before landing. Mr Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive of Changi Airport Group which runs the airport, said, "It will be busier but it need not get worse." If the crunch comes, the airport is confident it has the ability "to still provide a service that people talk about", he said. It must. A failure could hurt Singapore's premier air hub status. Picture credit: ST Photo - Kevin Lim