Changi Control Tower to undergo upgrading as part of S$4 billion air navigation overhaul

SINGAPORE: The Changi Control Tower and Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre will be upgraded over the coming years to meet rising travel demand, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said on Wednesday (Jul 22).The works form part of a S$4 billion investment over the next 15 years to upgrade Singapore's air navigation services through new systems, infrastructure and technologies.Of the S$4 billion, S$3.2 billion will be spent on replacing or upgrading systems and infrastructure, while S$300 million will be spent on developing new technology and concepts of operation to augment the air traffic control workforce, mitigate the impact of adverse weather and optimise regional air traffic flows, CAAS director-general Han Kok Juan told reporters.The remaining S$500 million will be spent on growing the air traffic control workforce by 200 officers and other manpower initiatives.

The Changi Control Tower, which has been in operation since 1981, will be upgraded to expand its facilities and house new systems.

Artist's impression of the upgraded Changi Control Tower. (Image: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore)

The project includes recladding the external facade and constructing a new annex building between the tower and Jewel shopping mall.Works are scheduled to begin in November and be completed by the end of 2028, during which the tower will be covered in scaffolding and aesthetic mesh.“CAAS seeks Singaporeans’ and travellers’ understanding for the necessary works and assures that the Changi Control Tower will continue to stand as an iconic landmark while supporting the needs of the Singapore air hub,” the authority said in a media release.The Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre, which also began operations in 1981, is likewise being upgraded in phases to maintain uninterrupted round-the-clock operations.The centre houses critical air navigation systems, including the core air traffic management system, surveillance radars, communications facilities, navigational aids, as well as other specialised operational systems.