Remembering the history of commercial aviation in Singapore

4 September 20212 May 2020

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Yesterday, 2 May 2020, only 12 commercial airplanes arrived in Singapore’s Changi Airport. Sadly, this airport is seeing the lowest air traffic in about half a century!

In my opinion, it is the best airport in the world and no other airports comes even close to beating it. This amazing transformation did not happen overnight, of course. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with these iconic photos of Paya Lebar Airport, Changi Airport and Singapore Airlines.

As someone born in the 80s, I remember Terminal 1’s open-air car park the most. It closed only 5 years ago (to make way for Jewel) but somehow, feels much longer than that!

1959: First passenger flight arrival at Paya Lebar Airport was a Qantas Boeing 707

Photo credit: changiairport.com

1967: Arrival of BOAC’s VC-10 at Paya Lebar Airport

Photo credit: changiairport.com

While the port side (left) of the aircraft showcased Singapore Airlines’ livery, the starboard side (right) showcased British Airways’

Photo credit: Unknown

1973: Singapore Airlines received a Boeing 747 in Seattle

Photo credit: Unknown

1979: The beautiful Concorde arrives in Singapore as a jointly operated aircraft of Singapore Airlines and British Airways

Photo credit: Unknown

1979: Foundation work of Changi Airport’s control tower

Photo credit: changiairport.com

1981: Singapore’s Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 opens

Photo credit: National Library Board

1981: Changi Airport Terminal 1

Photo credit: Changi Airport

1980s: Changi Airport’s Terminal 1

Photo credit: Singapore Tourism Board, National Archives of Singapore

1980s: Roads leading up to Changi Airport Terminal 1

Photo credit: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Collection, National Archives of Singapore

1980s: Highway to Singapore’s Changi Airport

Photo credit: roots.sg

1980s: Open air car park outside Terminal 1

Photo credit: National Tourism Board, National Archives of Singapore

1980s: Singapore Changi Airport

Photo credit: Changi Airport

1981: First commercial flight, a Boeing 727 with flight number SQ101 arrived from Kuala Lumpur

Photo credit: Unknown

1982: Waterfall feature in Terminal 1

Photo credit: changiairport.com

1990: Check-in counters in Terminal 1

Photo credit: changiairport.com

1980s: Terminal 1 got very crowded and plans for Terminal 2 begins in 1986

Photo credit: changiairport.com

1991: Terminal 2 opens

Photo credit: Unknown

1998: Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 First Class cabin

Photo credit: Unknown

1990s: Meal service onboard a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747

Photo credit: Unknown

1990s: Meal service onboard a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747

Photo credit: Unknown

2008: Crowne Plaza hotel opens

Photo credit: Unknown

2014: Construction of Jewel begins

Photo credit: changiairport.com

2019: Jewel opens

Photo credit: Unknown

2019: Singapore Changi Airport

Photo credit: Straits Times

2020: After almost 30 years, Terminal 2 closed for upgrading works

Photo credit: Changi Airport

Let’s hope that we can make new memories at this beautiful airport in the near future! <3

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