SINGAPORE, Sept 7 — Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has announced that construction of Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5) will commence in the first half of 2025.

According to the Straits Times, the project aims to elevate Singapore’s connectivity, projecting links to over 200 cities by the mid-2030s, up from nearly 150 currently.

Addressing attendees at the 40th-anniversary dinner of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) yesterday, Wong highlighted the need for Singapore to maintain its competitive edge amid increasing regional competition.

“Some have announced plans for mega airports that can handle more than 100 million passengers a year. So they are narrowing the gap with Singapore,” he was quoted as saying.

He emphasized the rapid expansion of airline fleets and networks, which threatens to bypass Changi Airport for direct routes.

Wong also pointed out Singapore’s active role on the international stage, citing the S$120 million (RM399 million) upgrade to the Singapore Aviation Academy, which has trained over 160,000 aviation professionals from more than 200 countries.

“We are doing this because we want to pay it forward,” he said, reflecting on how Singapore once benefited from similar training.

Looking ahead, Wong said he believes that the success of Singapore’s aviation plans will benefit all Singaporeans and announced a public exhibition in 2025 to showcase the future of the Republic’s aviation industry.

“We welcome all Singaporeans to get involved and participate in shaping our Singapore aviation story,” he concluded.