While Singapore slept, its Changi Airport woke up the world in 2023, with passenger numbers soaring to 58.9 million—a staggering 113.1% surge that heralded the triumphant return of global travel through this aviation powerhouse.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, Singapore Changi Airport recorded 58.9 million passenger movements, a 113.1% increase from 2022.
- Changi Airport's international passenger traffic reached 58.7 million in 2023, accounting for 99.6% of total movements.
- Passenger traffic through Changi Airport in December 2023 hit 5.47 million, the highest monthly figure post-pandemic.
- In 2023, Changi Airport's cargo throughput was 1.94 million tonnes, up 7.5% from 2022.
- Airfreight exports from Singapore totaled 1.02 million tonnes in 2023.
- Imports by air to Singapore reached 920,000 tonnes in 2023.
- Changi Airport Group (CAG) reported 307,000 total aircraft movements in 2023.
- Runway utilization at Changi averaged 95% capacity in 2023 peak hours.
- Changi Airport T4 handled 12 million passengers in 2023 with 99.9% on-time performance.
- Singapore Airlines fleet stood at 144 mainline passenger aircraft as of March 2024.
- SIA ordered 11 Boeing 777-9 aircraft in 2023 for delivery from 2027.
- Scoot fleet expanded to 64 aircraft by end-2023.
- Aviation industry contributed SGD 19.2 billion to Singapore GDP in 2023.
- Direct employment in aviation: 182,000 jobs in Singapore 2023.
- Tourism receipts from air travelers: SGD 27.5 billion in 2023.
Singapore's aviation industry achieved strong recovery and growth in 2023.
Airline Operations
- Singapore Airlines fleet stood at 144 mainline passenger aircraft as of March 2024.
- SIA ordered 11 Boeing 777-9 aircraft in 2023 for delivery from 2027.
- Scoot fleet expanded to 64 aircraft by end-2023.
- SIA Cargo fleet: 14 freighters including 7 Boeing 747-8F in 2023.
- SIA achieved 87.3% passenger load factor in FY2023/24.
- Revenue for SIA Group: SGD 19.0 billion in FY2023/24, up 27%.
- SIA fuel efficiency improved 5% to 3.45 litres per 100 RPK in 2023.
- Scoot's on-time performance: 88.5% in 2023.
- SIA routes served: 140 destinations in 70 countries as of 2024.
- Average aircraft age in SIA fleet: 7.8 years in 2023.
- SIA KrisFlyer members: 4.2 million active in 2023.
- Scoot cabin crew: 2,500 staff serving 50+ routes in 2023.
- SIA net profit: SGD 2.75 billion in FY2023/24.
- Boeing 787-10 in SIA fleet: 39 aircraft operational in 2023.
- Airbus A350 fleet: 67 aircraft with SIA in 2024.
- SIA long-haul average stage length: 4,500 km in 2023.
- Scoot Embraer E190 fleet: 16 leased in 2023.
- SIA Group employees: 25,671 as of March 2024.
- Cargo revenue for SIA: SGD 2.1 billion in FY2023.
- SIA safety record: zero accidents in over 50 years.
Airline Operations Interpretation
In a testament to meticulously engineered growth, Singapore Airlines, with its youthful fleet and enviable safety record, deftly carried nearly 9 out of every 10 passengers to 140 destinations last year, all while its budget sibling Scoot expanded, proving the Group’s strategy is not just flying but soaring to a SGD 2.75 billion profit.
Airport Performance
- Changi Airport Group (CAG) reported 307,000 total aircraft movements in 2023.
- Runway utilization at Changi averaged 95% capacity in 2023 peak hours.
- Changi Airport T4 handled 12 million passengers in 2023 with 99.9% on-time performance.
- On-time departures from Changi: 85.2% within 15 minutes in 2023.
- Changi ranked #1 for operational resilience with 99.95% uptime in 2023.
- Passenger processing time averaged 25 minutes at Changi immigration in 2023.
- Baggage mishandling rate at Changi: 4.2 per 1,000 passengers in 2023.
- Changi handled 3,200 flights on peak day 23 Dec 2023.
- Energy efficiency improved 15% per passenger at Changi in 2023.
- Water usage per passenger dropped to 1.2 litres at Changi in 2023.
- Changi retail sales per passenger: SGD 25.4 in 2023.
- Food & beverage spend averaged SGD 18 per passenger at Changi 2023.
- Wi-Fi sessions: 45 million unique users at Changi in 2023.
- Autonomous vehicle trials covered 500,000 km at Changi in 2023.
- Changi T1 expansion added 50,000 sqm space operational in 2023.
- Solar panels generated 8.5 GWh at Changi in 2023.
- Waste diversion rate: 65% from landfill at Changi 2023.
- Fire response time averaged 2.45 minutes at Changi in 2023.
- Passenger security screening throughput: 250,000/day peak in 2023.
- Changi apron parking stands utilized: 185 daily average in 2023.
- Flight punctuality index for Changi: 82.1% in 2023 global ranking.
- Noise complaints reduced 20% to 1,200 at Changi in 2023.
- Changi helipad handled 2,500 movements in 2023.
- General aviation movements: 15,000 at Changi in 2023.
- Runway 02L/20R usage: 52% of total movements in 2023.
- Changi T5 runway construction progressed 40% by end-2023.
- Jewel Changi handled 10 million visitors monthly peak 2023.
- Changi parking bays: 3,000 spaces with 98% occupancy peak 2023.
- Digital check-in adoption: 75% of passengers at Changi 2023.
- Changi Skytrain ridership: 12 million trips in 2023.
- Terminal 3 retail space: 25,000 sqm generating SGD 800m 2023.
Airport Performance Interpretation
While Changi Airport efficiently handled a plane every 90 seconds with near-perfect runway and terminal uptime, it also managed to keep its passengers sufficiently on-time, shopped, fed, and online—all while meticulously saving the planet one solar panel and litre of water at a time.
Cargo Traffic
- In 2023, Changi Airport's cargo throughput was 1.94 million tonnes, up 7.5% from 2022.
- Airfreight exports from Singapore totaled 1.02 million tonnes in 2023.
- Imports by air to Singapore reached 920,000 tonnes in 2023.
- Changi Airport handled 380,000 tonnes of perishables cargo in 2023.
- Electronics accounted for 35% of Changi's air cargo volume in 2023 at 678,000 tonnes.
- Pharmaceuticals and healthcare products made up 18% of cargo at 349,000 tonnes in 2023.
- In December 2023, monthly cargo throughput at Changi was 169,000 tonnes.
- SIA Cargo carried 789,000 tonnes in FY2023, up 12% YoY.
- Changi's cargo aircraft movements numbered 45,200 in 2023.
- E-commerce cargo grew 22% to 250,000 tonnes at Changi in 2023.
- Top cargo export destination was Hong Kong at 180,000 tonnes in 2023.
- Australia imported 120,000 tonnes of air cargo from Singapore in 2023.
- EU countries received 15% of Changi's cargo exports totaling 153,000 tonnes in 2023.
- Average cargo load factor at Changi was 62% in 2023.
- Cold chain cargo capacity utilization reached 95% at Changi in 2023.
- Q4 2023 cargo throughput surged 10% to 510,000 tonnes.
- Machinery and precision instruments: 280,000 tonnes, 14% of total cargo in 2023.
- Precious metals and jewelry cargo: 45,000 tonnes handled in 2023.
- Live animals airfreighted through Changi: 12,000 tonnes in 2023.
- China was top cargo origin with 320,000 tonnes to Singapore in 2023.
- US cargo imports to Singapore: 110,000 tonnes in 2023.
- High-value cargo security checks increased 30% to cover 1.5 million tonnes in 2023.
- Changi cargo warehousing capacity: 550,000 tonnes annually in 2023.
- DHL Express handled 150,000 tonnes via Changi in 2023.
- FedEx volume at Changi: 120,000 tonnes in 2023.
- Recovery to pre-COVID cargo levels: 105% at Changi by 2023.
- In 2023, Changi cargo from perishables grew 15% to 380,000 tonnes.
- Chemical products cargo: 210,000 tonnes at Changi 2023.
- Optical and medical apparatus: 95,000 tonnes airfreighted 2023.
- Garments and textiles: 32,000 tonnes via Changi 2023.
- Singapore's air cargo to ASEAN: 450,000 tonnes in 2023.
- Changi freighter flights to US: 5,200 in 2023.
- UPS volume at Changi: 85,000 tonnes 2023.
- Qatar Airways Cargo: 60,000 tonnes through Changi 2023.
- Changi cargo dwell time averaged 24 hours in 2023.
- H1 2023 cargo: 950,000 tonnes at Changi.
Cargo Traffic Interpretation
Singapore is clearly exporting its soul in boxes (electronics), shipping hope in vials (pharmaceuticals), and flying in fresh dinner for its neighbors, all while proving its airport is not just a hub but the world's most efficient, high-security pantry, pharmacy, and microchip boutique.
Economic Contributions
- Aviation industry contributed SGD 19.2 billion to Singapore GDP in 2023.
- Direct employment in aviation: 182,000 jobs in Singapore 2023.
- Tourism receipts from air travelers: SGD 27.5 billion in 2023.
- Changi Airport contributed SGD 5.2 billion to GDP in FY2023.
- SIA Group economic contribution: SGD 8.9 billion to Singapore economy 2023.
- Aviation multiplier effect created 250,000 indirect jobs in 2023.
- Air cargo supported SGD 450 billion in trade value for Singapore 2023.
- MRO sector revenue: SGD 2.5 billion in 2023.
- Passenger spending at Changi: SGD 2.8 billion non-aviation revenue 2023.
- Aviation taxes and fees generated SGD 1.2 billion for government in 2023.
- 1 in 40 Singapore jobs linked to aviation in 2023.
- Aerospace manufacturing exports: SGD 15 billion in 2023.
- Business aviation contributed SGD 500 million to economy 2023.
- Training academies trained 12,000 aviation professionals in 2023.
- Foreign direct investment in aviation: SGD 3.2 billion in 2023.
- Hotel nights from air traffic: 25 million in Singapore 2023.
- Retail sector boost from airport: SGD 3.1 billion sales 2023.
- Construction from airport expansions: SGD 4.5 billion invested 2023.
- R&D spending in aviation tech: SGD 800 million in 2023.
- Carbon offset programs funded SGD 50 million initiatives 2023.
- SME suppliers to aviation: 5,000 firms employing 50,000 in 2023.
- International visitor arrivals by air: 15.3 million in 2023.
- Average spend per air tourist: SGD 1,800 in 2023.
- Connectivity value: SGD 10 billion from 400 city links in 2023.
- Payroll in aviation sector: SGD 12.4 billion in 2023.
- Changi Airport Group revenue: SGD 3.87 billion in FY2023.
Economic Contributions Interpretation
With such dizzying sums and staggering reach, it's clear Singapore's aviation industry isn't just flying planes—it's the entire economy's co-pilot, fuel tank, and in-flight entertainment all rolled into one.
Passenger Traffic
- In 2023, Singapore Changi Airport recorded 58.9 million passenger movements, a 113.1% increase from 2022.
- Changi Airport's international passenger traffic reached 58.7 million in 2023, accounting for 99.6% of total movements.
- Passenger traffic through Changi Airport in December 2023 hit 5.47 million, the highest monthly figure post-pandemic.
- From January to September 2023, Changi Airport handled 44.8 million passengers, up 18.4% year-on-year.
- In 2022, Changi Airport's passenger throughput was 27.7 million, recovering 54% from 2019 levels.
- Singapore Airlines carried 19.6 million passengers in FY2023/24, a 27.2% increase from previous year.
- Scoot airline transported 5.2 million passengers in 2023, focusing on low-cost short-haul routes.
- Changi Airport's average aircraft load factor was 84.5% in 2023 for departing flights.
- In Q4 2023, Changi saw 15.2 million passengers, with strong growth from China routes.
- Passengers from ASEAN countries to Changi increased by 25% in 2023 to 12.4 million.
- India-Singapore passenger traffic via Changi rose 40% in 2023 to 2.1 million.
- Changi Airport handled 4.8 million transit passengers in 2023, 8.2% of total traffic.
- Peak day passenger traffic at Changi was 217,000 on 24 December 2023.
- In 2023, flights to Europe from Changi carried 4.5 million passengers, up 50% YoY.
- Australia-bound passengers from Changi reached 3.2 million in 2023.
- North America routes saw 2.8 million passengers through Changi in 2023.
- Domestic passenger movements within Singapore airports were negligible at under 0.2 million in 2023.
- Changi Airport's passenger satisfaction score was 8.24/10 in 2023 Skytrax survey.
- In H1 2024, Changi handled 32.5 million passengers, up 11.7% from H1 2023.
- Greater Bay Area routes to Changi carried 1.9 million passengers in 2023.
- Japan-Singapore passenger traffic recovered to 2.4 million in 2023.
- Middle East passengers via Changi totaled 1.6 million in 2023.
- South Korea routes handled 1.7 million passengers at Changi in 2023.
- Changi's top market India contributed 4.2% of total passengers in 2023.
- In 2019 pre-COVID peak, Changi handled 68.3 million passengers.
- Recovery rate to pre-COVID levels was 86% for Changi passengers by end-2023.
- SIA Group's total passenger load factor was 87.3% in FY2023.
- Changi Airport's arrivals peaked at 2.9 million in December 2023.
- Departures from Changi totaled 29.2 million passengers in 2023.
- Transfer passengers grew 150% YoY to 4.8 million at Changi in 2023.
- In 2023, Changi Airport's Terminal 1 processed 22 million passengers with enhanced biometric gates.
- Southeast Asia routes accounted for 45% of Changi's passengers at 26 million in 2023.
- Changi Airport saw 2.1 million passengers from Indonesia in 2023.
- Malaysia contributed 8.5 million arriving/departing passengers via Changi 2023.
- Thailand-Singapore traffic: 4.2 million passengers in 2023.
- Vietnam routes handled 3.1 million passengers at Changi 2023.
- Philippines passengers: 2.7 million through Changi in 2023.
Passenger Traffic Interpretation
Changi Airport, having leapt from its pandemic slumber with the agility of a caffeinated tiger, is now soaring at 86% of its pre-pandemic glory, proving that the world still very much wants to come to—and through—a hub that treats 8.2% of its guests to a world-class layover.
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