Yes, I am actually writing it. Why is the airport worth a whole blog? You will learn as you read. You’ll be amazed to see how a group of good people who wanted a change made history!
Have you heard of Changi Airport? Or maybe it’s clearer if I say Singapore International Airport!!!! Till date, it has received over 500+ best airport awards. There must be a reason, right?
Yes, the reason is uniqueness, accessibility, and comfort for passengers. When we think of an airport, we usually think of a place where we board a plane to our next destination, right? Some service and facilities, seating areas, washrooms, a few shops. That’s it, right?
No, not just that! Changi has done the unthinkable.
But before knowing the best face of Changi as of now, let’s go back to the 1960s, where it all began.
Paya Lebar Airport to Changi Airport
There was an airport named Paya Lebar Airport in Singapore. As the hype of travel increased, the airport couldn’t handle the growing number of passengers. It had reached its limit. And since it was located near residential areas, it couldn’t expand either. So, they searched for a new area that could accommodate future needs. And they found Changi.
By the time they found Changi, the number of passengers at Paya Lebar had already quadrupled from 1.7 million to 4 million. This growth was the result of the improvements they had made in Paya Lebar. But as time passed, not wanting to delay any further, in 1977, they laid the foundation for Changi Airport. Likewise, construction started in 1979.
It took 2 wholesome years to create greatness and in 1981, Changi Airport was born. And not just Changi, but a series of world-firsts began too! For example, Changi introduced the airport garden concept, the first of its kind in the world.
Not just that, they became the first airport to allow passengers to make free local telephone calls in transit. Can you believe that?
Passengers could thank them even more as they arranged indoor air-conditioned taxi queues for comfort. Yes, they thought about these little things!
The first flight to land was SQ101 from Kuala Lumpur, carrying 140 passengers at 07:00 hrs. And within just 2 weeks, the airport had 250,000 visitors! It had become such an attraction that they arranged paid tours to the restricted area at just $0.50 per person.
In just 5 years, Terminal 1 surpassed 10 million passengers, and then Terminal 2 construction began.
As the good work continued, in 1988, Business Traveller UK presented Changi with its first “Best Airport” award, and now in 2025, it has won it 25 times. Isn’t that a sixer in the best way?! And once, Changi even got the award from Princess Diana herself. Dream moment!!
Honestly, as a writer, I’m writing this blog in shock, I never thought a country could be this involved in giving and building. It’s an insane history. Let’s continue.
In 1992, Terminal 2 officially opened. That same year, Changi Airport launched the SkyTrains. These high-tech trains made transfers between terminals smooth and easy.
Just 3 years later, another revolutionary idea struck their creative minds. They introduced the world’s first swimming pool in transit. Who would’ve thought? But they knew that long-haul passengers needed a place to relax and refresh. How? How much research must they have done? We can’t even imagine.
And the tales of magic continue…
By 1997, as passengers surpassed 20 million, Changi introduced new facilities like a news hub, sports arena, and a movie theatre for passengers to enjoy. Construction of Terminal 3 also began. And of course, they didn’t lag behind in technology either, they incorporated next-generation tech-savvy features.
Think they stopped? No chance.
In 2001, Changi organized the world’s first airport game show. And by then, there were at least 200 internet terminals throughout the airport.
Then, in 2006, Skytrax granted Changi the “World’s Best Airport” award. And guess what? They still didn’t stop surprising us.
In 2008, they introduced the Butterfly Garden. Yes, a real garden with real butterflies, right inside the terminal, so passengers could enjoy nature as they passed by.
Things got crazier in the best way.
By 2010, passenger traffic surpassed 40 million. So in 2012, they announced the construction of Terminal 4. But not just that, they added artistic creativity too, installing the world’s largest moving sculpture: the Kinetic Rain, made of 1,216 bronze droplets, unveiled in the Departure Hall. Soothing and magical to watch.
It’s not just comfort. It’s creativity, thoughtfulness, and an urge to never stop that gave the world Changi Airport.
They continued to innovate, launching the iChangiHD App for passengers. Terminal 4 construction began. And a new shopping portal, iShop Changi, was introduced.
As time went on, we got closer to our favorite story, the story of Jewel.
Yes, they envisioned this just a decade ago after Changi already carried a 40+ year legacy.
In 2017, Changi hit its maximum capacity of 82 million passengers per annum, with the beginning of Terminal 4. And then in 2019, the long-awaited Jewel Changi Airport was completed.
We all know what happened in 2020, the whole world was suffering. But Changi? They kept moving forward. They introduced a food delivery app for the airport. Then, they created the Changi Airport Connector, a 3.5 km jogging and cycling path, along with the Changi Jurassic Mile.
And now? They’ve introduced Changi Pay, their own digital payment system.
It’s like Changi is living in its own ecosystem. Jungle, running water, modern amenities, art, attractions all under one roof.
This is one commendable story we should all praise. Personally, while researching Changi Airport, I fell in love with the creative minds behind it. And this is just one story. We’ll come with more of these amazing stories.
For now, if you get the chance, visit Singapore and experience Changi Airport.
We’ve also got Singapore tour package.
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