A DEFINITE UPGRADE
An upgraded experience for private aviation passengers at the Seletar Business Aviation Centre
In November 2018, Seletar Airport, which is operated by Changi Airport Group, inaugurated a brand new passenger terminal on the west side of the airfield. Within the passenger terminal is the Seletar Business Aviation Centre (SBAC).
While the passenger terminal includes facilities for commercial service, the SBAC provides an exclusive drop-off area, dedicated check-in and lounge area for private aviation passengers. Meeting facilities on the second level are ideal for time-pressed executives who may be meeting local business people or even foreign business people who fly in for a face-to face meeting.
As private jet passengers can attest, the former terminal was expedient but lacking in terms of passenger comfort. The new facility offers private departure and arrival clearance, ensuring the same expediency that the former terminal was known for.
Seven licensed ground handling agents located at Seletar Airport provide services to jet operators. One operator is nearby Wings Over Asia. Jezereel Mok, Wings Over Asia flight operations team member, is happy to see the new passenger terminal.
“The new Seletar Airport Business Aviation Centre provides passengers with a newer building and amenities, a food and beverage kiosk, and more parking spaces.
That said, the new terminal does not offer free parking and the passenger fee is now $30.”
Mr See Seng Wan, General Manager of Seletar Airport, remarked at the inauguration, “We are pleased that the new passenger terminal is operationally ready on schedule. It will provide better comfort to passengers and visitors in a pleasant terminal that is easy to use. With the new facilities, we look forward to providing a new level of travel experience to our passengers at Seletar Airport.”
Just recently, Universal Aviation Singapore, which manages SBAC in a joint consortium with SATS and Jet Aviation, celebrated the official inauguration of the new facility and its operations office. “This beautiful facility will raise the bar for airports in the region by offering an elevated level of privacy, efficiency and luxury for business aviation operators, and potentially positions Singapore as the most business aviation-friendly country in the region,” said Greg Evans, Chairman, Universal Weather and Aviation Inc. Universal Aviation’s operations centre is located on the first floor of the SBAC and features an integrated crew rest lounge.
“Our clients asked for a better experience in Singapore, and we’re proud to have partnered with SATS and Jet Aviation to help deliver it,” said Evans. “None of this would be possible without Changi Airport Group’s recognition of the unique needs and challenges of business aviation operators and their support for this facility.”
The official opening of the SBAC and Universal Aviation Singapore’s new operations offices cap a busy 18 months at Seletar, said Yvonne Chan, Managing Director, Universal Aviation Singapore. “We’ve made significant infrastructure and training investments at Seletar in order to continue to support our clients’ critical missions at this high-traffic and potentially high-stress airport,” said Chan. “In 2018, we earned accreditation under the International Standard for Business Aircraft Handling (IS-BAH) programme and we just recently purchased a brand new tow-barless lektro tug capable of handling aircraft up to a B737 or A320 – the first of this model in Singapore.”