Seletar Airport
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| Seletar Airport 实里达机场 செலட்டர் வான்முகம் |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| IATA: XSP - ICAO: WSSL | |||
| Summary | |||
| Airport type | Public | ||
| Operator | Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore | ||
| Elevation AMSL | 36 ft (11 m) | ||
| Coordinates | |||
| Runways | |||
| Direction | Length | Surface | |
| ft | m | ||
| 03/21 | 5,223 | 1,592 | Asphalt |
Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) (Chinese: 实里达机场) was Singapore's first international airport. It was completed in 1929.
Seletar Airport now operates as a general aviation airport, mainly for chartered flights. It has a single runway and 27 aircraft stands, and is open 24 hours a day.
It is located in Seletar in the north-eastern area of the main island, and is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. There has been a proposal to extend its runway to 2,000m, so as to be able to receive the Boeing 737 used by many budget airlines. However, after considerations by the Singapore Government and the CAAS, they decided to build a Budget Terminal in Changi Airport instead.
Contents |
[edit] History
RAF Seletar was a Royal Air Force station in Singapore between 1928 and 1971.
Plans for establishing an airfield, flying boat and naval base in Singapore were first agreed by the RAF in 1921. In 1923 two sites in the northern region of the island were approved. The first planes to arrive at the base were four Supermarine Southampton seaplanes on the 28th of February 1928.
RAF Seletar served as a civil airport from 1930 before the opening of Singapore's first civil airport at Kallang on 12 June 1937 (to the late 1940s).
The air base was briefly host to Amy Johnson during the May of 1930 on her UK - Australia flight in her Gipsy Moth named 'Jason'.
During the 1960's RAF Seletar was home base to No's 103 and 110 Squadrons both of which were equipped with Westland Whirlwind Mk 10 helicopters and to No 34 Squadron which was equipped with Blackburn Beverleys. All three Squadrons were involved with support of operations in North Borneo during the "Confrontation" with Indonesia. The helicopter squadrons provided a search and rescue service for the Singapore area. The station was also at that time home to 209 Squadron, RAF equipped with Single and Twin Pioneer aircraft.[citation needed]
[edit] Passenger facilities
There are 2 check-in counters, outdoor car park, 3 sets of credit card telephone, lavatory for the handicapped, soft drink vending machine, drinking water tap, outdoor covered waiting seats, Passenger Service & VIP Lounge, taxi stall, etc.
Food is available from a canteen, opposite West Camp Road.
[edit] Freight facilities
Seletar Airport can handle 840 tons of freight per day. It also has 100 square meters of warehouse space.
[edit] Usage
In 1998, Seletar Airport received 7,945 scheduled flights altogether, handling 23,919 passengers and 6,025 tons of cargo.
The Singapore Youth Flying Club, Republic of Singapore Flying Club and Singapore Airlines Flying School are all situated at Seletar Airport. The Singapore Flying College also has its headquarters at Seletar, but the bulk of its flying training takes place at two locations in Australia.
[edit] Airlines
- Airmark Aviation
- Berjaya Air (Redang, Tioman)
Charter flights are also operated to Batam in Indonesia
[edit] Public transport
- See also: Public transport in Singapore
Seletar Airport can be reached by SBS service 103W from Serangoon Bus Interchange. The bus stops opposite the terminal building. It may be preferable to take a taxi from Yio Chu Kang MRT Station on the MRT North-South line.
