Changi Airport Group
Feature | AVIATION

Taking You to
New Heights

Changi Airport Group
With approximately 54.1 million passengers a year and 6,500 flights every week, Changi Airport remains the world’s best airport. We speak to two scholars from Changi Airport Group (CAG) who plan to preserve the airport’s prestigious title for years to come.

C AG is all about delivering the Changi Experience through service excellence. Through varied work exposures and developmental opportunities, CAG strives to cultivate passion and a culture of excellence amongst its people. One of these people is Liu Ainan, CAG’s Overseas Undergraduate Scholar.

Ainan is now part of the exceptional team that manages the world’s most awarded airport. As Senior Associate of the Airport Operations Management team, Ainan oversees ground transport operations for the airport. The main function of his job is to devise and implement initiatives to improve the efficiency of ground transport operations within the airport, as well as between the airport and the rest of Singapore. This involves leveraging on technology, analysing passenger and operator feedback, and encouraging CAG partners – such as taxi drivers and customer service personnel – to do their best every day.

Never a Dull Moment

There is never a dull moment at CAG, especially when it comes to airport operations. According to Ainan, the nature of operations is dynamic and fluid. “We are often on the ground to make observations, handle unexpected situations or interact with staff who are on ground duty. It can be a very rewarding experience because you get to see the fruits of your labour regularly,” says Ainan.

Working in a big organisation such as CAG also means that there are plenty of opportunities to work with different divisions to learn more about the business and how it functions. Even though Ainan is a Humanities student, he is also exposed to projects in the areas of Information Technology and Engineering during his internship at CAG. “That’s the great thing about working at CAG. We are given the opportunities to learn and try new things. I have very understanding and helpful colleagues who are always there to lend a helping hand,” says Ainan.

Michelle Kwek Shi En

Michelle Kwek Shi En
Local Undergraduate Scholar

“CAG has always given me the freedom to study what I enjoy and participate in activities that I am interested in.”

Working in a big organisation such as CAG also means that there are plenty of opportunities to work with different divisions to learn more about the business and how it functions. Even though Ainan is a Humanities student, he is also exposed to projects in the areas of Information Technology and Engineering during his internship at CAG. “That’s the great thing about working at CAG. We are given the opportunities to learn and try new things. I have very understanding and helpful colleagues who are always there to lend a helping hand,” says Ainan.

Undoubtedly, managing one of the world’s busiest airports is no easy task. Ainan has had his fair share of challenges, one of which was the AirAsia Flight QZ8501 incident in December 2014. Ainan was part of the team providing assistance at the Relatives’ Holding Area. At the same time, they also need to ensure the smooth running of the airport. He says, “It was a very trying period, but I think everyone grew stronger from it.”

For Alvin, he has always yearned for a challenging and enriching career that would allow him to do his part for Singapore. He shares, “I started my career in the Corporate Affairs Directorate, where I was involved in procurement. I also helped to review the procurement processes of our overseas missions and organised outgoing staff visits.”

Meaningful Learning Opportunities

For Ainan, interning at the Airport Operations division certainly helped prepare him for his current role. During his undergraduate internship, Ainan was tasked to conduct a study to gain insights and learn from other airports. “The internship exposed me to the aviation business as a whole, and it definitely helped in my transition from an undergraduate to a working adult,” shares Ainan.

CAG’s Local Undergraduate Scholar, Michelle Kwek, also did an internship with the Airport Operations division. Michelle was involved in the trial sessions for the FAST Check-In initiative, which is a self-service check-in and bag drop system. To gain a better understanding of the project, Michelle conducted research on the software used by self-check-in systems around the world. She also had the opportunity to conduct observations at different parts of the airport, such as the baggage handling system at Terminal 3 and the gate hold rooms at Terminal 1.

Liu Ainan

Liu Ainan
Overseas Undergraduate Scholar

Designation:
Senior Associate, Airport Operations Management

“I believe that fresh graduates can look forward to endless possibilities in the future!”

The internship gave Michelle a new-found respect for the aviation industry and the airport community. “People often praise Changi Airport for being the best airport in the world, but few know what goes on behind the scenes. I was amazed by the effort and meticulousness that goes into collaborating with various airport partners, so that passengers and shoppers alike can get the unparalleled Changi Experience. While technical skills may be important for the job, what’s most important is having a heart for people and sharing CAG’s mission in pursuing excellence,” says Michelle.

Support for Growth

People are the lifeblood of CAG, and this is why the organisation seeks to continuously develop its current and potential employees. Michelle, who is studying Sociology at the National University of Singapore (NUS), says that CAG’s support has contributed greatly in her personal development. She says, “CAG has always given me the freedom to study what I enjoy and participate in activities that I am interested in, including being part of the University Scholars’ Programme in NUS.”

Michelle had the opportunity to go for a summer exchange programme at the University of Hong Kong after her second year of studies. As a local undergraduate scholar, CAG encourages her to go for overseas exchange programmes to broaden her horizons.

A Soaring Career

Besides being part of the team that manages the world’s best airport, a scholarship with CAG would allow you to go beyond a typical deskbound job. “You would have plenty of opportunities to interact with people across various divisions, as well as passengers passing through the gates of Changi,” adds Michelle.

Michelle is now raring to begin her career at CAG. After graduation, Michelle hopes to contribute to the airport’s new development projects, which she believes will raise the standards for airports worldwide. “The aviation industry is huge and boundless. For a start, I would like to gain more exposure through various postings within CAG. This will give me a holistic view of how the airport and industry function,” says Michelle.

These exciting developments include the upcoming Terminal 4, Jewel Changi Airport and Terminal 5. Ainan says enthusiastically, “With these projects lined up, I believe that fresh graduates can look forward to endless possibilities in the future!”

Ainan advises aspiring CAG scholars to speak to current scholars or employees to get a good idea of what a career at CAG entails. “Look for a career that aligns with your interests and passions. It is often a matter of fit rather than prestige or popularity,” concludes Ainan.