CAAS Steps Up Efforts to Boost Aviation Industry in Singapore

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) has unveiled plans to drive the development and growth of the aviation industry in Singapore. Following a major restructure of CAAS last year, apart from regulating the industry and providing air navigation services, CAAS is also focusing on building a vibrant and sustainable aviation industry that will continue to make a key contribution to Singapore’s economy.

 “As an enabler of the aviation sector, CAAS aims to build an environment that helps enterprises thrive, ideas and innovation to flourish, and people to have meaningful and rewarding careers in the industry,” said Mr Yap Ong Heng, Director-General of Civil Aviation.

 At the inaugural Aviation Community Reception, Mr Raymond Lim, Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, announced that CAAS is introducing an Aviation Development Fund (ADF) with a budget of $100 million over the next five years to promote and develop the aviation sector. Under the Fund, various incentive programmes will be introduced to support the development of capabilities in the Singapore aviation industry and ensure its continued competitiveness and dynamism. Built around the three thrusts of enabling enterprise, ideas and people, the ADF programmes will also support broader industry-level initiatives to raise effectiveness and competitiveness through government industry partnerships.

Two ADF programmes, of $25 million each for the next five years, will be launched in April 2010. These are the Aviation Partnership Programme and the Aviation Innovation Programme. Under the Aviation Partnership Programme, CAAS will partner the industry to drive the adoption of new industry-wide standards or processes to enhance its overall productivity, effectiveness and competitiveness. The Aviation Innovation Programme will provide assistance to companies to develop new capabilities, encourage innovation and build aviation knowledge in Singapore. CAAS has said it is now finalising the details of the programmes as well as others that could be rolled out subsequently, to support manpower development, skills upgrading and overall industry promotion.

 CAAS is also entering into two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with the Association of Aerospace Industries (Singapore), or AAIS and the Singapore Institute of Aerospace Engineers, or SIAE. These MoUs set the framework for greater collaboration efforts to develop the aviation industry, attract Singaporeans to careers in the industry, and raise skills and competencies of manpower in the aviation cluster. Under the MoU with AAIS, both parties will engage in joint efforts to build the aviation cluster in Singapore and promote Singapore as an aviation hub of excellence. Through collaboration between CAAS and SIAE, programmes will be rolled out to raise the profile of careers in the aviation industry, cultivate interest in aviation among youths and enhance the professional development of personnel in the industry.

 CAAS is working with multiple agencies and trade associations to improve operational efficiency and end-to-end supply chain visibility, with the aim of promoting Singapore as a leading global air cargo and logistics hub. CAAS is championing the implementation of the efreight@Singapore programme which aims to integrate the air cargo and logistics supply chain, promote the adoption of paperless air freight process, develop and improve industry capabilities, and enhance data accuracy. A Memorandum of Understanding has just been signed by CAAS, the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA), the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the Singapore Aircargo Agents Association (SAAA), the Singapore National Shippers’ Council (SNSC) and the Singapore Logistics Association (SLA), to jointly collaborate on the e-freight@Singapore project.

 More than 200 Chief Executives and senior executives from the aviation community were present at this industry networking event hosted by CAAS. The Singapore Airshow will take place 2 - 7 February 2010.

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