Changi Airport Group outlines support package for cargo operators

Singapore's Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced (25-Mar-2013) plans to implement a 50% landing fee rebate for all scheduled freighter services at Singapore Changi Airport, effective 01-Apr-2013 to 31-Dec-2013. The rebate will be adjusted to 30% in 1Q2014. Cargo tenants leasing CAG facilities at the Changi Airfreight Centre will continue to receive rebates of up to 20% of their rentals based on cargo tonnage handled. CAG's overall support package for the cargo industry will total more than SGD17 million (USD13.7 million) over the next 12 months. The package is designed to support the airport's air cargo partners under its airport growth initiative and counter reduced demand for airfreight and high fuel prices. CAG also said it would work to stimulate growth in sectors such as pharmaceuticals and perishables and to increase traffic to emerging markets, including Africa and Southeast Asia. CAG CEO Lee Seow Hiang said, "Our partners in the cargo sector continue to face strong headwinds from the global economic weakness. We hope, with this support package, to alleviate their situation. We will monitor the market environment closely and work with our partners to ride through the challenging period and at the same time try to find growth opportunities in targeted cargo segments for Changi Airport." [more - original PR]