U.S. no longer Changi's top market
The U.S. is no longer No. 1 for Changi
For the first time in the history of Singapore Changi International Airport, the United States is no longer its top cargo market. Although the U.S. continued to hold that title in 2010, China emerged as its biggest customer in the first four months of 2011.
Up 10 percent from last year, China’s surge in tonnage highlights strong intra-Asian trade, Albert Lim, vice president of cargo and logistics development at Changi Airport, said during a recent tour of the airport's cargo facilities. Hong Kong and Thailand have also posted considerable growth, Lim noted.
And Changi’s airfreight operations show no sign of slowing down. With a total cargo capacity of 3 million tonnes, the airport handled 1.8 million tonnes last year and aspires to hit an all-time high of more than 1.91 million tonnes in 2012. Still, instead of being satisfied by these numbers, Lim eyes expansion.
“As Asia grows, we’re also looking to grow our all-cargo networks,” he said. “The airport views cargo as an important pillar of our air hub [strategy].”
Changi also seeks to increase transshipments, in hopes of securing its position as a world-class logistics and distribution hub. “After all," Lim said, “we are well-connected to major cargo airports around the world.”
