Asia-Pacific region can lead effort to tackle challenges facing aviation sector: Murali
He was speaking to attendees of the inaugural Passenger Terminal Expo Asia on Sept 23.
The Asia-Pacific region is the primary engine of growth for global air traffic, and it is crucial for the region to lead the future of the aviation industry, according to Senior Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai. This determination, backed by foresight and sustained investments, led to the relocation of airports in cities such as Hong Kong, South Korea, and Singapore in the early 1990s.
These choices transformed their cities and the lives of their inhabitants, Murali noted. He explained that Changi, Chek Lap Kok, and Incheon airports have turned into important gateways for travel, commerce, and investment due to the increasing interconnectedness and integration of Asian economies with the rest of the world. Murali emphasized that airports are not merely built for the traffic of a particular era, but for the future growth.
He pointed to Changi Airport as an example, which has grown from a single terminal in the 1980s into a major global air hub with four terminals and direct flights to around 170 cities worldwide. The new Terminal 5 is set to open in the mid-2030s and will handle approximately 50 million passengers annually, doubling the airport's capacity from 90 million to 140 million.
The aviation sector currently faces several obstacles, including tighter labor markets and increasing passenger expectations. Moreover, the industry is grappling with operational uncertainty due to the urgent shift towards sustainability. Murali highlighted that sustainability is the most significant challenge of this generation, with solutions like sustainable aviation fuel and electric airside vehicles available, but their adoption is hindered by high costs.
Green jet fuel, which emits 80% less greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional jet fuel, costs three to five times more. Murali stressed, however, that standing still is not an option, as decarbonization projects often require substantial investment before their technologies mature and their commercial benefits are fully realized.
The positive outcomes, he added, can only be achieved if various stakeholders collaborate. "We are in the business of connections, so we must all realize that none of this can be done by any single airport, airline, or government," Murali said. "Bringing viable solutions to scale requires a coalition of willing partners."
Written by urgent.news from Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
