ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business is expanding its capacity in Singapore with a new airframe maintenance facility located at Singapore Changi Airport. Groundbreaking for the new facility was held on 23 September 2023 at its location next to the Changi Airfreight Centre in Changi Creek. Distinguished guests and government partners graced the occasion.
Jeffrey Lam, President of Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering (seventh from left) and management from ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business at the groundbreaking ceremony for its new airframe facility, alongside industry and government partners. Photo: ST Engineering
The new airframe facility is set to enhance ST Engineering’s aircraft maintenance services in the Asia-Pacific region. It will be equipped with four hangar bays that can service widebody aircraft, including a hybrid paint and maintenance bay. The total development cost for the 84,000 sqm facility is estimated at S$170 million. The first hangar bay is anticipated to be operational by mid-2025, with the remaining three scheduled for completion by the end of 2026.
Once fully operational, the facility is expected to contribute an additional 1.3 million manhours annually, which accounts for approximately 10 per cent of ST Engineering’s current global airframe Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) capacity. The project is also set to generate over 550 job opportunities, spanning roles such as licensed aircraft engineers, planning and production control specialists, mechanics, and warehouse and logistics personnel.
Jeffrey Lam, President of Commercial Aerospace at ST Engineering said, “This is a significant development for us, given that the Asia-Pacific region is one of the key markets for ST Engineering. With the regional aerospace industry poised to grow strongly in the coming decade, the additional capacity will allow us to better fulfil our commitment to longstanding customers to support their rising maintenance needs, as well as to capture future growth opportunities. This new significant commitment in Singapore also underlines the fact that Singapore continues to be a strategic growth location even as we expand our footprint in other global markets.”
Tan Kong Hwee, Executive Vice President at the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) highlighted Singapore’s pivotal role in the global aerospace industry, stating, “Singapore’s aerospace industry is well-positioned for growth as global air travel rebounds. EDB is delighted to support ST Engineering, a successful homegrown enterprise, to capture new business opportunities leveraging Singapore’s position as a leading MRO hub in the Asia Pacific region. We look forward to the exciting career opportunities for Singaporeans in this industry with positive long-term prospects.”
Industry forecasts project fleet growth and MRO demand in the Asia-Pacific region to increase at compound annual growth rates of 2.5% and 1.8%, respectively, over the next decade. ST Engineering’s expansion is well-aligned with these projections, positioning the company to meet the rising demands of the aviation industry. Japan Airlines, one of ST Engineering’s longstanding customers, will be the first airline to avail of its comprehensive servicing offerings.
In line with ST Engineering’s commitment to environmental sustainability and operational efficiency, the new facility will incorporate green and smart technology features. These features will include solar panels on the hangar roof to generate solar energy, automated guided vehicles for tool and part retrieval and transport, as well as digital tools to facilitate paperless operations.
Artist’s impression of the airframe MRO facility at Changi Creek. Photo: ST Engineering
With extensive global presence spanning Asia-Pacific, the US, and Europe, ST Engineering is the world’s largest third-party airframe MRO service provider. The addition of the new facility at Changi Creek reinforces the Group’s unwavering confidence and commitment to Singapore as a strategic hub for aerospace innovation and excellence.