Welcome, fellow travelers and history enthusiasts, to an no-go journey through the past, present, and future of one of the world’s most iconic airports – Changi Airport in Singapore. Prepare to be wrapped by the story of visionary leadership, unwavering determination, and the relentless pursuit of excellence that gave lineage to this world-class aviation hub. In this travel blog, to step into ‘The Courage to Dream – The Making of the Changi Airport Story,’ an exhibition that commemorates the legendary journey of Changi Airport’s creation.
The Beginning of a Dream (1960s to 2000s)
The journey begins in the 1960s, stepping when in time to witness the early days of Singapore’s aviation history. In Installment 1: “Growing Pains,” explore the challenges faced by residents living near Paya Lebar Airport, where flight paths disrupted their daily lives. It was here that the first mention of Changi as a potential airport location was made by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, then Prime Minister. You can plane listen to the very audio prune of this historic moment.
Chapter 2: “Dreams are Made of Struggles” delves into the complexities of transitioning from Paya Lebar to Changi. Visitors can relive the dilemmas faced by Mr. Lee and his leadership team as they weighed various significant trade-offs. It was a visualization fraught with challenges, including impact on the surroundings, expansion potential, time constraints, and costs.
The 1973 oil slipperiness brought an unexpected slowdown, providing time to revisit the Changi option. During a flight over Boston’s Logan Airport, Mr. Lee saw the offshore flight paths and realized the long-term benefits. This led to the insemination of the Special Committee on Airport Minutiae (SCAD) in 1975, chaired by Mr. Howe Yoon Chong, and ultimately, the untried light for Changi Airport’s development.
The Making of Changi Airport (After 1977)
In Installment 4: “Showtime: The Making of Changi Airport,” visitors can witness rare tabulated footage of Terminal 1’s construction and hear firsthand finance from pioneering airport leaders. The installment showcases key milestones leading up to Changi Airport’s grand opening on July 1, 1981, marking a new era in aviation history.
Putting Changi Airport on the World Map (2000s to Present Day)
In Installment 5: “The Pursuit of Excellence,” you’ll discover the stories overdue Changi Airport’s transformation into the world’s most awarded airport. Mr. Lee’s dedication to excellence is evident, from greening the airport to ensuring wipe restrooms and efficient operations. His transferral to innovation continues to momentum Changi Airport’s competitiveness, highlighted by the opening of Jewel Changi Airport in 2019.
The Future of Aviation (Beyond 2023)
Look superiority to the future in Installment 6: “Building on the Dream,” and explore how decisions made decades ago are shaping the next installment of Changi Airport. The foresight to invest in land reclamation in the 1990s laid the foundation for Changi East development, including the would-be Terminal 5.
‘The Courage to Dream – The Making of the Changi Airport Story’ is an immersive wits filled with untold stories, rare tabulated content, and interactive displays. It takes visitors on a nostalgic journey from the 1970s to the present day, offering glimpses of the heady future of aviation.
The exhibition is unshut to the public for self-ruling at Cloud9 Piazza, Level 5 of Jewel Changi Airport from 16 – 30 September. After this period, it will be relocated within the airport, with details to be spoken later.