Community-youth, Heritage, Singapore

The Development of Seletar: 1971 and Beyond (Part III)

27 Jun 2023
Written by: Mr Goh Yong Kiat

The SAP masterplan consisted of comprehensive plans for the upgrading of Seletar Airport into a modern airport, extensive improvements to the aerodrome infrastructure, land allocation for the development of the aerospace industry, improvements to the road infrastructure and conservation of ex-RAF colonial bungalows for F&B and lifestyle services.

Meanwhile, CAAS was reorganised and with the formation of Changi Airport Group (CAG) and corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport in 2009, Seletar Airport operations came under the management of CAG.

The implementation of the SAP masterplan, helmed by JTC Corporation, together with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and CAG, saw an increase in the runway length at Seletar Airport. With its completion in 2011, the lengthened runway allowed the operations of aircraft up to the size and weight of the Boeing 757 into Seletar. The expansion also saw an increase in the number of aircraft parking bays. A new ATC Tower and Fire Station became operational in 2012, followed by a brand new Seletar Airport Terminal in 2018.

Most of the military units which were in Seletar were also progressively moved out and by mid-2000, the military security checks at the entrance to Piccadilly Circus was removed. A new main entrance to SAP was established, allowing convenient vehicle entry from the new Tampines Expressway.

Promoting SAP as an integrated aerospace hub attracted major players in the industry to set up new facilities in Seletar. Rolls-Royce led the way with its first manufacturing plant outside United Kingdom (UK) in 2012, followed by Bell Textron Asia in 2012 and Bombardier of Canada in 2014.

The local scene was no less busy. Eurocopter Southeast Asia (ESEA) was the first to move into their new building when it relocated its facilities from Loyang to East Camp in January 2011. Fokker Services Asia (FSA) and Hawker Pacific moved into their new facilities at West Camp, becoming neighbours with Jet Aviation and ST Engineering Aerospace.

ST Engineering Aerospace upgraded and expanded its facilities with new hangars. A significant milestone was the set-up of the Boeing 757 passenger-to-freighter conversion line in Seletar to meet two contracts from a major customer for 119 aircraft, of which 42 were completed in their Seletar facilities. Local start-ups such as MAJ Aviation and WingsOverAsia boosted the General Aviation scene. The launch of two complexes, JTC Aviation One and Two provided offices and space for aerospace companies providing services in fixed-based operations, aircraft component repairs, supply of aircraft parts, chartering, freight forwarding and fleet management.

The combination of these developments made SAP an important integrated aerospace hub. Today, while some of the companies mentioned have since been renamed, expanded, merged, or closed, SAP stands as an icon in Singapore’s pursuit of growing its aviation industry. With its transformation from a coastal swampland to a military airfield and now a vibrant aviation hub, the Seletar Airport story continues.