Singapore Air Force begins using new Changi runway as Paya Lebar move looms

On September 29, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) commenced using a newly operational runway at Changi Air Base East, as plans advance for the eventual relocation of its Paya Lebar Air Base operations. According to the Straits Times, an RSAF aircraft conducted its maiden flight from the new runway on September 28. The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) confirmed the shift from Runway 02R/20L to Runway 03/21.

This move is part of broader plans to relocate the Paya Lebar Air Base from 2030, with the redevelopment set to transform the area into a mixed-use zone featuring residences, commercial spaces, factories, and recreational areas. The decision to move Paya Lebar was first announced in 2013 and hinges on the expansion of both Changi Air Base East and Tengah Air Base to accommodate the existing aircraft and assets.

The newly operational runway at Changi Air Base East spans 3,660 meters in length and 60 meters in width, gaining operational status on September 17 as per an aeronautical information publication by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). The runway is exclusively designated for RSAF use, barring any civil aircraft operations without prior coordination.

Key features include hookwire cables and arrestor barriers for emergency stops, along with a Tactical Air Navigation system offering bearing and distance guidance from ground stations.

Experts suggest the runway's design indicates its suitability for RSAF fighter jets, and its considerable length could support the RSAF's A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft. The existing runway at Changi Air Base East, currently in use, will halt all aircraft operations from October 1, 2026, to April 14, 2027, before being repurposed for commercial flights. This transformation is part of Changi Airport's ambitious three-runway system, slated to commence operations by 2027.

Chen Chuanren, an editor at Aviation Week Network Asia-Pacific, pointed out that the new runway's arresting equipment hints at its usage by fighter jets, while its length can likely accommodate the RSAF's A330 aircraft. The previous runway at Changi Air Base East, measuring 2.75 kilometers, will undergo an extension to 4 kilometers before transitioning to commercial aviation use, coinciding with the development of the Changi East area, including the pending construction of Terminal 5.

CAAS has assured the completion of the three-runway system by 2027, enabling the RSAF to operate its aircraft with enhanced flexibility, unencumbered by the constraints typically associated with civil runway operations.