The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is set to carry out a S$4 billion "man-machine-method" upgrade of its air navigation services (ANS) over the next 15 years to meet rising demand for air travel and strengthen Singapore's position as a global air hub, the authority said in a statement.

CAAS said the International Civil Aviation Organization projects that global air passenger volume will nearly triple over the next 25 years, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for half of that growth, requiring providers of air navigation services to build capacity to match ground-based airport investment.

Workforce expansion

CAAS air traffic control officers (ATCOs) currently manage 2,000 flights a day, including 1,000 into and out of Changi Airport, the authority said. To meet growing demand and prepare for the opening of Changi Airport Terminal 5, CAAS plans to expand its ATCO workforce by about 40 percent, from 500 to around 700 by the mid-2030s.

To attract recruits, CAAS has introduced a S$20,000 sign-on bonus for new ATCOs effective from June 1, 2026, paid in two tranches during training and licensing. The authority is also developing an undergraduate degree with ATC specialisation with a local university, has launched a new ATC Undergraduate Scholarship, and will start an ATC Management Associate Programme in August 2026 for recent graduates. CAAS said it awarded its first ATC scholarship this year to Lee Voy, who will pursue undergraduate studies in the United Kingdom from 2027 after completing national service.

CAAS also plans to establish an Engineering Development Centre to strengthen local engineering and research capabilities in ANS and will provide a stipend top-up for local PhD students researching air traffic management under a scheme with Nanyang Technological University.

System and infrastructure upgrades

The authority said it will progressively replace or upgrade more than 30 air navigation systems, incorporating artificial intelligence to help controllers make faster decisions. Key projects include a new NexGen Air Traffic Management System, expected to be completed by 2030, which CAAS said would double current capacity to support up to one million aircraft movements annually. An Integrated Digital Tower System using cameras and sensors will begin operating in 2030, with full completion by the mid-2030s when Terminal 5 opens.

CAAS also plans an Info-Centric Air Traffic Management system, targeted for completion in 2030, and an Open Platform for Air Navigation Services, projected to be completed in 2028.

The authority is building a new Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre complex and will upgrade the Changi Control Tower, including re-cladding its façade and constructing a new annex building, with works starting in November 2026 and finishing by the end of 2028. Changi Airport is also progressing toward three-runway operations by the end of the decade, CAAS said.

New operating concepts

CAAS said it will trial an AI-powered Multi Sector Planner from 2027 to allow a single planner to support multiple control sectors, and is developing a Digital ATCO Assistant to help controllers anticipate traffic and weather situations. An automated tool to detect read-back errors between pilots and controllers will enter live trials later this year, the authority said.

On regional coordination, CAAS said that since September 2025 it has held daily coordination calls with China's Air Traffic Management Bureau and the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department, later joined by aviation authorities from South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam.

CAAS Director-General Han Kok Juan said the authority is committed to delivering a smoother, more seamless, and safer travel experience for all airspace users. He said CAAS plans ahead and invests, partners, and leverages technology to ensure it has the capacity and capabilities needed to meet rising demand and benefit from aviation's growth. — Source: Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore