Changi Airport awards S$1.12b contract to develop three-runway system

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has awarded a S$1.12 billion contract to a joint venture formed by Samsung C&T Corp and Koh Brothers to develop a three-runway system.

The award follows a competitive tender which drew participation from 10 bidders and is the first of several packages to roll out a three-runway system by the early 2020s for Changi airport, said CAG in a statement.

"The additional runway capacity of a three-runway system will take Changi to its next phase of growth beyond this decade. The extension of Runway 3, together with the new taxiway system linking to the existing Changi Airport, will total about 40 kilometres," said CAG executive vice president Yam Kum Weng.

"A whole suite of supporting infrastructure and airfield systems will also be built to support three-runway operations," he added.

Changi Airport currently operates two runways which serve three terminals as well as the upcoming Terminal 4.

To ensure adequate runway capacity for continued growth beyond this decade and to cater to the future Terminal 5, CAG said it will convert an existing third runway - it is currently used by the military - for "joint civil-military use".

The JV will extend this runway to handle larger aircraft and develop supporting taxiways to connect Runway 3 to the rest of Changi Airport.

Under the contract, the JV will undertake pavement and drainage works, security fencing and perimeter roads, mechanical and electrical works and support works such as major services and road diversions.

Other works to be carried out by the JV include the construction of canals and drainage systems that will keep the runway and taxiways free of surface water and prevent flooding.