Changi Airport Terminal 3 to get major upgrade ahead of Terminal 5 opening

“This arrangement benefits all parties,” said Mr Siow. “Airlines reduce the impact of the flight disruptions, even temporarily. Changi optimises the use of our airport capacity and our passengers have more destination options.”

On cargo, Mr Siow said the sector was growing. More than half a million tonnes of air freight passed through Changi in the first quarter of 2026 – up nearly eight per cent from a year earlier – making Singapore the ninth busiest air cargo hub in the world. 

Singapore is also bringing in more air freight partners to complement existing operators such as DHL, FedEx, UPS and SF Group, with an eye on key routes between Australia and Asia.

“Therefore, notwithstanding the immediate challenges, the long-term trajectory for aviation continues to be upward,” Mr Siow said.