We thoroughly enjoyed your story about the development of Changi Airport in Singapore. We were resident on the island for some 15 years altogether where I was working for an American company. In 1981, we returned to the United States on holiday, leaving from Paya Lebar Airport and returning to the newly-opened Changi Airport. Now we are retired and living in Southern California, during which time we have seen a number of documentaries on Singapore, including Changi Airport along with the development of the MRT. Both of these projects were truly engineering marvels. We returned to Singapore on holiday in 1995 and again in 2016. These fond memories are truly treasured.

22:46 deep respect to the Japanese people who built Changi even at a loss yet marched on to fulfill the contract and expected quality

I love how this documentary has a 1950’s vibe, although it’s made in the 80’s

Thank you for uploading. This explain why Singapore these days is so far ahead in so many ways. The very advanced level of planning, coordination, prioritisation and cooperation between teams is breathtaking. The decision to keep consultants at the minimum and keep the knowledge in-house is what a lot of companies should learn from. Obviously the Singapore government had confidence in its people and willing to invest in its people.

The people in the airport in the documentary were members of the public when it was opened for tours before it began operations. I was there as an 11 year old and was mesmerized by how advanced it was 😂

I love Changi Airport. It's truly one of the most beloved institutions in Singapore.

The Concorde at 3:20 is probably one of the rarest Concorde variants, only lasted from 1977 until 1980. IIRC part of the reason why the deal between British Airways and Singapore Airlines fell through was due to Tun Dr Mahathir (Also a new Malaysian Prime Minister in 1981) threatened to cancel important contracts that would leave Singapore dry (quite literally, since Singapore needed clean water from Malaysia). At that time, the Singapore Concordes going to London would fly above Terengganu and disrupt locals with loud sonic booms. In the end, due to threats and higher fuel prices the Concorde program eventually stopped in SEA regions, only going as far as Hong Kong in Asia.

I was a very young boy when my flight landed at Changi in late December 1981. I still remember that day, basically love at first sight. 40+ years, and gazillion of airports later, Changi is still my favorite.

I grew up going to old Paya lebar to watch planes,.... but in Changi,.. I was in awe of the airport and the planes. This video brought many beautiful memories.

I was born in 1981.. same year as changi official opening.. wondering how old were those engineers and workers who build changi airport tirelessly will be right now.. thank you, pioneers once again..

had the privilege of working in Changi from '88 to '95. Very well run and super efficient (and no I'm not a Singaporean).

When Changi Airport was opened in July 1981, it was big international news n was even featured on the cover page of the global magazine Time as It was a mammoth airport at that time. Singapore had arrived. Soon it started a trend n other cities followed suit by building big airports eg.HK, Seoul, Osaka, Bangkok KL etc. Glad to say I was one of the privileged first passengers to test out Changi airport by flying off on Singapore Airlines from there to Taiwan in May 1981 as arranged by CAAS before it was opened to start operations. It was my first time seeing an aerobridge. I went via highway PIE which was also brand new and there was hardly any traffic. It was also the funeral day of ex president Sheares.

Never knew so much planning were involved, salute to all making Changi Airport what it’s today.

As an Indonesian in 1988-90, I only heard about how great is Changi Airport from my Uncle and Auntie that frequently fly to SIN, and in 2007 finally the first time I landed at Changi T2 and depart from T1 so happy and now already experienced for T3 also.

my first visit to changi was at my 7yo... and i'm 50yo soon... transitting at there last week... she is still beautiful... even more

When there when I was 8 yrs old, cannot forget the waterfalls.

Amazing achievement for a small but big heart country n people❣️

Amazing video! Thank you for sharing these with all of us. Brings back memories of me as a 7 year old going to the airport when it first opened. My treat was a violet crumble chocolate that day.

Grea so interesting, eye opening. From the sea, land was reclaimed and from the barren land an airport was built to become the best airport in the world............... Amazing.

What a fascinating documentary not just how ground-breaking Changi Airport was from conceptualization to construction, but how these solid foundations that Changi Airport was built upon has gone on to continue to secure the global position of Changi Airport as being the best in the world. Thank you for giving us this opportunity to take a fascinating peek back into time to Singapore of the 70s and 80s. Constructing such a massive structure without the conveniences and technology of the modern era is truly indeed amazing and inspiring!

16:54 almost thought that dude was sunbathing... lolx... he was in fact operating the machine.

Singapore builds new airport, where the original terminal is still in use, having been expanded over the years. Manila, builds new airport terminal which is obsolete by 1993.

Really excited to know the history of one of the world Best airport.

Damn solid perfect upload

Cool! Thanks for uploading

I like how we used NS men to test the facilities :D

Miss the old terminal 1 viewing gallery. It was really long and nice.

Saw this back in 1981 as a child and a year later, flew off to the States ... miss the trishaw near departure hall

Amazing executive ability of the Singapore government, very impressive.

When is this video dated, the quality and narrative is just classic.

Wow! Thanks for this! Super informative!

Feels like Germany could learn something from this (not that they didn't build Tegel almost overnight)

16:43 When you need to crack an unopened pistachio. Seriously, Changi is still an engineering marvel today.

was working in changi airbase in the 70s the good old lazy days before all this technology today

They had that technology more than 40 years ago! Amazing!

at time Airport was so cool

57:08 Garuda Indonesia Retro Livery brings a lot of Memories!

Extraordinary achievement.

I am the baby on the first flight from KL...wow amazing

😮Nice doc👍

How did you manage to download this video from the National Archives?

How was this video taken in an era when drone didn't exist? Helicopter?

Wow 👍♥️

the closing music at 56:48 is carillon by Simon Park

Thanks Lee Kwan Yeww ❤

CHANGI AIRPORT CREATES A HISTORY OF WHAT NOTHING OTHER AIRPORT HAS IN THE WORLD FROM THOSE DAYS UNTIL TODAY!! Look at the difference of what Changi Airport was then until today!!

EPIC~!

Excellent !! Chinese Managers are the BEST

1980 and they have plans to extend beyond 2000....

awesome, awesome leaders

I always wondered whether the old sq livery was yellow and black, or still just yellow and navy blue like today

Wait so air force planes flew from changi to paya lebar and commercial planes flew from paya lebar to changi airport damn thats crazy

i'm Indonesian i'm very satisfied about this video because it was educating about this airport. btw how about your opinion about Changi airport in the present and its opposite airport CGK airport INA ? please your answer and thank you.

History！

Terminal 1 always the best 👍👍👍👍

3:21 Singapore Airlines Concorde

How far Singapore changi airport has advanced…

I just realized the concorde

How about t2 and 3

1980s Changi Airport looks way bigger than my country’s current airport 😑😑😑

Most modern airport in 1980s

In the past

Interesting but I never heard Changi pronounced Chungi.

Hello Guys i'm going to make a Music Video Based on Queen

Ada DC-10 Garuda

Drafters

Inquiry 1d

We know that jewel is not exist

People are more respectfully dressed back then. The ladies these days wear very little showing a lot of skina

Less population at changi ? Bullshit. Changi has millions of resident now.