Changi Airport Group

★ Oversee Seletar Airport & Aerodrome - Singapore's main airport & hub for Business Aviation & General Aviation (GABA) flights, private jets, MRO, training flights, turboprops, chartered flights, helicopters, & medivacs

★ Head of Division

General Manager of Seletar Airport

★ Chief Operating Officer (COO) for Seletar Airport

★ Oversee the P&L, Planning & Policies, Pricing & Commercial Strategy, Engineering & Systems, Integrated Facility Management, Security, Terminal Operations, Airside Management & Aerodrome Safety of Seletar Airport

★ Leads a Team of 45 officers to manage Seletar Airport

Deputy General Manager of Seletar Airport

★ Oversee the Business Unit for Changi Airport Departure Experience. Responsible for portfolios covering Products & Services, Customer & Hub Experience, Operations Technology, Business Innovation, Capacity & Manpower Planning, P&L, Solutions Design, Regulatory & Airline Account Management

Associate General Manager, Airport Management

★ Deputy Head of the 20-member strong Departure Experience Division

★ Lead for all passenger processing systems & contracts; as well as product strategies & roadmaps

★ Implemented first-in-the-world infrared contactless check-in solution for automated kiosks & bag-drops

★ Member of CAG's Information Assurance Committees for Critical Information Infrastructure & Personal Data

Senior Manager (II), Operations Technology

★ Deputy Head of the 20-member strong Departure Experience Division

★ Co-led the suspension of Terminals 2 & 4 due to the impact of Covid-19; & migration of multiple airlines to remaining Terminals

★ Lead for all passenger processing systems contracts

★ Led a re-structuring & transformation of Divisional portfolios & job roles

★ Lead for Changi Airport's FAST Travel and Self-Service Programme across the new Terminal 4, Terminal 1 (Expansion), Jewel Early Check-in Facility & Terminals 2 & 3

★ Oversee design & planning of Terminal 4 FAST Travel and T4 Departure Hall

★ Led the procurement, design, system integration, testing & commissioning of T4's FAST systems. Curated & shaped the UI UX for passengers

★ Successfully opened T4 on 31 Oct 2017 after a 10-month ORAT programme 

★ Built the business case & business model for the FAST programme. Introduced a new charge to help in recovery of investments

Senior Manager (I), Development Ops, T4

★ Team Lead for Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) and Self-Service Programme

★ Led the design and planning of Terminal 4 Departure Hall & the concept of ops from scratch

★ Led & scoped Changi's FAST Travel programme of biometric-enabled automated check-in kiosks, automated bag-drops, automated immigration gates & automated boarding gates

★ Presented & secured buy-in for Changi FAST programme among key airline & regulatory stakeholders

Manager, Departure Experience, Airport Operations Management

★ Team Lead for Departure Check-in Unit, overseeing a 7-member strong team

★ Account Manager (Ops) for airlines in Changi Airport - Fronted & led the engagement for all ops and tech initiatives & issues

★ Led a massive airline reallocation exercise across Changi of which over 30 airlines were relocated - to better cater for their growth and Changi's future capacity optimisation 

★ Nominated as CAG Brand Ambassador

Manager, Airport Operations

★ Led & completed the Terminal 1 Upgrading (T1U) project. Helmed the user requirements, design inputs, concept of ops, spatial review & master timeline

★ Led the Organising Committee for the T1U Completion Ceremony (18 Jul 2012) - officiated by Minister of State for Transport

★ Curated & revamped new facilities for T1U. Designed the iconic Social Tree in T1 transit 

★ Oversee the 26-member strong T1 Estate & Facility Management Team

Airport Manager

★ Stabilised operations in the new Terminal 3 and introduced a new Ground Transport Concierge Service - the first of its kind in Changi Airport

★ Helmed portfolios across check-in, transfer, boarding, airline account management, airport security, customs & immigration, wayfinding, & engagement of unions

★ Part of the CAAS-CAG Corporatisation Workstream Planning Group

Assistant Airport Manager

Aviation Storyteller & leader who strives to make life better (& hopefully happier!) for customers, colleagues, & partners 😀

I have 17 years of leadership experience in airport management, building teams, planning & policy, curating & designing passengers' journey, real estate management, strategic sourcing, as well as delivering technological solutions & digital products. Some of my work include implementing the world's first infrared contactless check-in solution on automated kiosks & bag-drops in Jun 2020 during the height of Covid. 

I currently oversee Seletar Airport as the General Manager & Division Head. 

Proud to be part of the Operational Readiness & Airport Transfer (ORAT) team working on Changi's award-winning Terminal 4, which opened in Oct 2017. We designed & built the terminal from scratch and I was driving the Departure & Self-Service experience.

Proven crisis leader with key appointments in BCP.

I also serve as a CAG Brand Ambassador, doing my part to promote Changi - the world's most awarded airport. I was a previous Guest Speaker at various leading industry forums such as the Passenger Terminal Expo, Future Travel Experience & Aviation Festival conferences.

50,000 fans vs Airport Terminal Peak Hour. Who wins? Haha! 🏟🛫

I went to the Blackpink concert last night at the National Stadium with my wife. Date night, lol. 

Yes, Blackpink in your/our area! 😆

I must confess I didn't used to be a Blackpink fan. In the past when I was told as the GM of Seletar Airport that Lisa and Rose's private jet were coming to Singapore years ago, I didn't quite bat an eyelid.

Bahahha! But I became a fan about 1 year ago after enjoying their songs & their persona online (the importance of personal branding again! lol).

The concert last night was superb! ❤️ Hit you with that ddu-du ddu-du! 😆🤣

While my wife was enjoying the music, your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man found himself analysing the queue management and crowd flows. 

Yes, the occupational hazard of being an Airport Consultant, haha! 

Managing a stadium crowd has strong parallels to running airport operations:

✅ Security Screening: balancing security outcomes with throughput efficiency. 

✅ Wayfinding: how intuitive is the path from "Check-in" (stadium entry) to "Boarding" (actual seat).

✅ Peak Egress: the moment the stadium lights go up and the Blackpink encore ends, it is the ultimate stress test on transport infrastructure. 

My wife and I had a very smooth flow both in and out of the stadium. So great kudos to The Kallang Group!! So proud of Team Singapore for putting up such a great show for such international concerts! 

My experience reminds me whether it's an airport terminal or a stadium, the "User Experience" and ConOps are so important in ensuring how easily people can move thru a defined space. 

What about you? 

Were you at the Blackpink concert last night too? 

Were there any memorable concerts of other singers/ bands that you went for? 

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#blackpink #blinks #aviation #airports #singapore

Ching Hock, Chua

Aviation Adventurer & leader who strives to make life better (& hopefully happier!) for customers, colleagues, & partners 😀

I have 17 years of leadership experience in airport management, building teams, planning & policy, curating & designing passengers' journey, real estate management, strategic sourcing, as well as delivering technological solutions & digital products. Some of my work include implementing the world's first infrared contactless check-in solution on automated kiosks & bag-drops in Jun 2020 during the height of Covid. 

I currently oversee Seletar Airport as the General Manager & Division Head. 

Proud to be part of the Operational Readiness & Airport Transfer (ORAT) team working on Changi's award-winning Terminal 4, which opened in Oct 2017. We designed & built the terminal from scratch and I was driving the Departure & Self-Service experience.

Proven crisis leader with key appointments in BCP.

I also serve as a CAG Brand Ambassador, doing my part to promote Changi - the world's most awarded airport. I was a previous Guest Speaker at various leading industry forums such as the Passenger Terminal Expo, Future Travel Experience & Aviation Festival conferences.

Aviation Consultant at Changi Airports International | I help shape & transform airports worldwide | Mentoring future aviation leaders | Your Friendly Neighbourhood Airport Man

Finally I can share, bahhaha!! Our Terminal 4 founding team member, Qian Yi Goh, is back with Changi Airport Group! 

Qian Yi is one of the smartest and most brilliant colleagues I ever met! 

We went thru so much together in the past from 2013 to 2017 - as we devoted 4 years of our youth (erhem, bahahaha!) to designing, building, systems commissioning, and opening T4 together! 🛫

We also went thru an intensive 10-month ORAT (Operational Readiness & Acceptance Testing) journey before we opened T4. This is to ensure all aspects of the terminal are fully tested prior to the smooth opening on 31 October 2017.

Look at our happy faces on her first day back in office, bahahah! My great welcome with open arms to her delight (erhem, heh). 

Qian Yi is also hiring for a Strategy & Transformation Manager now. Check out the job link in the comment below. 

Do you welcome returning colleagues like me too? Haha! 😆

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#IMCAG #MAGIC #airports #aviation #neighbourhoodairportman

Do you know that today (19 November) is World Toilet Day?

And that Changi Airport holds the title of Skytrax World's Best Airport Washrooms for 2025?

Voted by millions of international passengers all around the world, haha! 🌎

Yes, we are obsessed with our washrooms since the opening of Terminal 1 in 1981. 

Because we put passengers at the heart of everything we do. And you and I both know that one's experience inside the washroom is so important. 

Everytime we have a chance to design a new terminal or renovate existing washrooms, we put a lot of attention and detail to it.

All thanks to our Changi Airport Group Integrated Facility Management (IFM) colleagues! As well as our cleaning service providers! 

I'm also dedicating today's post with toifies to LinkedIn's legendary Toifie Queen, Crystal Lim, who did a TED talk on washrooms & toifies, bahahah! 😆🤣

What are some of the lovely toilets you have come across in Singapore or other parts of the world?

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#IMCAG #MAGIC #worldtoiletday #aviation #airports #consultancy #theairportman

Was walking through our Changi Airport transit recently and spotted our Free Singapore Tour booth! 🇸🇬

Thought I will share more about it, haha.

The Free Singapore Tour has a long history at Changi Airport. Given that we are a transfer hub and have a significant volume of transfer/transit passengers, it is important to provide offerings to better serve this segment of customers 🛫

Since 1 April earlier this year, the Free Singapore Tour was expanded and have enhanced offerings. 

There are 6 such tours organised daily. If passengers have at least a transit time of 5.5 hours before your connecting flight, you can actually sign up for it. Means you can clear thru immigration into Singapore and enjoy the tour, then come back to the airport for your onwards flight.

The tours offered include a Sentosa Discovery tour, a Singapore River & Marina Bay Sands tour, a City Sights tour, and a Heritage & Culture Tour! ❤️

This programme is a collaboration between Changi Airport Group and Singapore Airlines. Thanks to all our CAG Air Hub, Ops and SIA colleagues! 

Have you seen any such similar free tours in other airports? Curious to know.

🎒✈️ Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#IMCAG #MAGIC #airports #aviation #singapore

I first spoke at Future Travel Experience Asia Expo not last week, but 7 years ago in November 2018.

Back then, I was coming out of a few major airport programmes and projects. I was part of the Changi Airport Group Terminal 4 (T4) team which successfully opened T4 on 31 October 2017. 

I was the Lead for the Fast & Seamless Travel (FAST) Programme across Changi from T1 to T4. This would comprise of our Automated Check-in Kiosks, biometric-enabled Bag-Drop Machines, Immigration Gates, & Automated Boarding Gates. 

On top of that, I was also leading the Common Use Passenger Processing System (CUPPS) Programme at Changi - this is the key IT solution & platform which allows multiple airlines at an airport to check-in and process passengers for their flights. 

Was I nervous back then speaking at Future Travel Experience for the first time?

And on stage in front of so many industry professionals? 

And being much younger?

Actually the answer was no, bahaha 😅

I was pretty relaxed then. Not because I love to talk a lot (I still do, lol), but because I had actually been working on both FAST & CUPPS for close to 7 years before I even stepped on the stage in 2018. 

When you know what the hell you are talking about, you have no fear. 

Because you know you were the one, together with your teamies, working on the real thing, innovating, & grinding hard at the airport when most people were sleeping at night.

Or those late nights when you were wondering to yourself how to pitch to align relevant authorities and airlines; or how to secure funding approval.

Innovation is very hard work. Those who have been there knows it. 

So you see. Speaking comfortably & confidently at an industry event comes thru not because you prepare & rehearse like crazy 7 days before the event, but because of your daily hard work over the years.

And sometimes over 7 years beforehand =) 

I carry this same spirit into my current consultancy role at Changi Airports International Pte Ltd, this time armed with 17 years of experience in managing & shaping airports.

So that I can give my best for our overseas clients. 

What about you? 

What mastery or craft do you try to hone yourself in? 

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#IMCAG #MAGIC #aviation #airports #consultancy #airportman #FTEAsiaExpo

The Heritage Tree, the $5 note, and Changi Terminal 1 🌳🛫

Did you know that the tree on the back of your SGD $5 note is hiding in plain sight at Changi Airport?

I hosted some clients recently at T1 and pointed this out to their delight, haha!

Back in 2010 to 2012, I was part of the Terminal 1 Upgrading (T1U) project team. Our goal was to rejuvenate the terminal (built since 1981) with a "Tropical City" theme, bringing Singapore's lush greenery indoors 🇸🇬🌿

As part of the design, we installed distinct feature walls to anchor the terminal. And yes, the East side is dedicated to the Tembusu Tree.

I know most of us are not horticulturists or arborists, bahaha 😅 But the Tembusu is special because:

🌳 It is a native icon - the specific tree that inspired our design is the Heritage Tembusu in the Singapore Botanic Gardens managed by National Parks Board. The tree is supposedly more than 150 years old! Yes, older than Singapore, haha. 

🌳 It is valuable. Literally! Bahaha! It is the exact tree featured on the back of the Singapore $5 portrait series note.

🌳 It is tough. The wood is incredibly hard and durable - a fitting symbol for the resilience of Singapore and Changi Airport. And just as Captain America is the first Avenger, T1 is our first terminal! 

It's been over a decade since I finished that project. But I'm still so proud everytime I bring guests thru T1 ❤️ 

The Tembusu tree feature wall is a quiet nod to our heritage in the midst of a bustling global hub and the most awarded airport in the world ✈️

It's the holiday season and many of you are flying. If you are travelling thru T1, see if you can spot our beloved Tembusu! 

And match it to your $5 note, haha!

Is this the first time you are hearing about this? Let me know in the comments! 🌳

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#IMCAG #MAGIC #aviation #airports #neighbourhoodairportman

Hello! 👋 Do you know today is World Hello Day?! 

Really! If you don't believe me, go check it, bahaha 🤣

It is a day that reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a positive impact and lift others around us! ❤️

Humanity in around 180 countries recognise this every year. And what you are supposed to do today is...

Make a conscious effort to say "Hello!" to at least 10 people throughout the day! 😄

Not very hard right? So please do it today, bahahah! 

When I travel overseas to other airports, I always love it when service or airport staff at each touch point say hello to me & my family! 

And at Changi & Seletar Airports, led by our Changi Airport Group Quality Service Management (QSM) team, we try our best to inculculate such a mindset to greet passengers too! 

So yes, please say Hello at least 10 times today k? You can also do it on LinkedIn to your connections & network, lol! 

Would you say hello to me too on this Day? Bahahaha! 😆🤣

P.S. Picture of me in Yunnan, China, months ago saying hello! 

🛄 ✈️ Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#worldhelloday #sayhello #IMCAG #MAGIC #airports #aviation

The Arrival Hall at airports is the real Thanksgiving table 🛬

Yes, it's Thanksgiving today! That's why I post this now to better match US timings, haha. 

Happy Thanksgiving to all my friends and colleagues in the US! 🇺🇸

Even though it was a regular business Thursday in Singapore earlier today, working in airports gives you a front-row seat to what this holiday is actually about: Reconnection.

Especially at Changi Airport! Which handles over 68 million passengers a year! ✈️

In this industry, we often obsess over On-Time Performance (OTP), turnaround times, hot transfers, baggage efficiency, etc. 

But today is a good reminder to all of us in this industry that the "product" we really sell isn't just a seat on the plane or the best commercial offering at the airport. 

It's the ability to be sitting at a dinner table with the people you love, thousands of miles away ❤️

This is also what drives us at Changi Airport Group and Changi Airports International Pte Ltd - putting passengers at the heart of what we do. 

And the best kind of metrics for me after working here for 17 years? 

Well, I will say it's hugs per minute at our Arrival Halls, bahaha! 🫂🤗

To everyone travelling today, particularly in or to the US, safe skies. 

And to all the crews, ground staff, air traffic controllers & service providers in US working the holiday shift to make those reunions happen - thank you for your service! 

When was the last time you received or gave a hug at the Arrival Hall of any airport? ❤️ 🤗

And when was the last time you thanked someone deeply? 

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#IMCAG #MAGIC #Thanksgiving #aviation #airports

Today is National Espresso Day (23 Nov) ☕️ And "With great airports, comes great responsibility (and usually a lot of coffee)." 

Above is also the first line of my LinkedIn bio, which I updated recently, bahahah.

I'm a big coffee guy. Over 17 years of working with Changi Airport Group at both Changi & Seletar Airports, coffee has been my booster shot. Especially for those late nights, early mornings, and back-to-back meetings.

I typically drink at least 3 cups a day. Over the years till now, in a bid to be more healthy & cut calories, I had switched to pure Kopi O Gosong or Americano. So no sugar & no milk ❌🥛

I must admit I seldom go for Espresso shots when I'm in Singapore. I only do that usually when I'm travelling overseas in other airports for work trips, haha. Cause I like my coffee nice & slow 😆

Here's a pic of me in 2012 ta-baoing my daily x 3 coffee from Terminal 1's Heavenly Wang Cafe. I made friends with the cafe aunty and we always chit-chat about each of our day.

I was very young then and I remember she will always remind me to take it easy & don't overwork myself. I'm always so thankful to her for making nice, homely coffee everyday! ❤️

The other shot is of me pretending to look cool while drinking coffee in Yunnan, China, earlier in Jun 2025. According to my professional photographer (i.e. my wife), I was supposed to "pose as if I had cracked the LinkedIn 360Brew algorithm code". 

OK, that's a lie. We all know 360Brew only hit us recently, bahhahah! 

I wish all of you a happy Sunday and a happy National Espresso Day! Spend time sipping your cuppa, thinking of how to conquer the world rather than 360Brew.

And if you are travelling overseas today from Changi Airport or at Jewel Changi Airport, remember to buy your favourite coffee or Espresso! ☕️

What is your favourite type of go-to coffee? 

How do you like it done? 

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#IMCAG #MAGIC #nationalespressoday #espresso #airports

School holidays have started! And you, along with many others, might even start flying today, bahaha! ✈️ 

So here's a sneak preview if you haven't been following the news! For this year-end holiday period, Changi Airport and Jewel are presenting Singapore's largest Disney Cruise Line-themed showcase! 🇸🇬

Yay!! 🚢 🛳 

The partnership makes sense especially as the Disney Adventure, the new & largest Disney cruise ship, would set forth it's maiden voyage in 2026 in Singapore! 

So do enjoy your holidays with your family & friends, and getting yourself immersed in our year-end showcase! Thanks to all the colleagues from Changi Airport Group, Jewel Changi Airport, and Disney Cruise Line! 

They put in a lot of hard work behind the scenes! To delight Singaporeans, members of public and all our international travellers! 

And yes, personally I confirm will go take a selfie with Duffy, ShellieMay, and StellaLou in Terminal 2 Departure Hall, bahahah! As it's pretty rare to catch these characters outside of Tokyo Disney Sea theme park! 

Photos in post courtesy of our Changi Airport Group and Jewel CMC colleagues! 

Do you have a favourite Disney character? 

Share below and why! Haha! 

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#IMCAG #CAG #disney #cruise #airports #aviation #travel

The man who changed how we design airports forever ✈️💸

No, it's probably not someone you know, haha. 

On this infamous day, 24 November 1971, 54 years ago, something incredible & terrible happened.

A guy by the name of "D.B. Cooper", demanded a cash ransom of $200,000 after threatening to blow up the commercial flight he was on.

He got the money and strapped his bundles of cash to a parachute 🪂

A short while later when the Boeing 727 plane was in the air, he made his way to the rear, where stairs (then) could be lowered to let passengers off.

Cooper lowered the stairs into the cool air & clouds. Before leaping off with the $200,000!

He was never found even after decades. Till this day, it remains one of the greatest commercial aviation mysteries of all time 🕵️‍♂️

I can't recall whether Hollywood or Netflix made a movie out of this heist, but Cooper almost single-handedly forced the architecture of aviation security to change overnight. And this was of course before September 11.

Cooper's legacy for us in the aviation business:

🔧 Rear airstairs can no longer open in flights anymore. A simple "Cooper Vane" device was introduced, which uses wind pressure to lock the door shut. See the 3rd pic.

🌳 Before Cooper's act in 1971, there wasn't a reliable way to scan passengers. The aviation industry eventually borrowed technology from the logging industry to introduce the world's first airport metal detectors. We call them Walk-Through Metal Detectors (WTMDs) today. 

Why logging technology? Cause apparently, sawmills then already use scanning to find spikes & nails hidden in timber logs 🪒

🖐🏻 Before 1972, aviation security was largely based on "profiling" suspicious and jittery behaviour of passengers. After Cooper's act (and note that he was dressed as your archetypal business traveller then, in suit & tie, cool & calm), universal screening of 100% of passengers was introduced 🪪

It became the moment where airports worldwide had to physically re-design terminals to separate "Landside" from "Airside". And airport operators have to ensure passengers are all screened and "sterile" 🧼

So, the next time you are walking thru a scanner at any airport in the world, you know who to "blame", OK? 

Safe and secure travels during the year-end holidays, everyone! 

P.S. Have you seen DB Cooper around? Haha.

🧳🛫 Follow me// Ching-Hock Chua // for more stories from your friendly neighbourhood Airport Man.

#airports #aviation #security #consultancy #dbcooper

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