CAAS Upgrades Air Navigation Services Capabilities to Meet Rising Demand for Air Travel

             Air navigation services (ANS) provided by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) are set for a major S$4 billion “man-machine-method” upgrade over the next 15 years as Singapore gears up to meet rising demand for air travel, better serve passengers and airlines, and strengthen Singapore’s position as a global air hub.

2             The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) projects that air passenger volume will nearly triple over the next 25 years, with the Asia-Pacific region accounting for half of this growth. Air navigation service providers (ANSPs) need to build capacity and capabilities to better manage our skies that match investments in airport infrastructure on the ground. As a major air hub, Singapore will continue to invest in ANS capabilities to ensure that flying remains safe, efficient, and sustainable throughout the region as demand grows.   

Man: Growing the ATCO Workforce; Deepening Engineering and R&D Capability

3             Operating one of the busiest and most complex airspaces in the world, CAAS air traffic control officers (ATCOs) are key to the air hub’s daily operations and growth. Today, CAAS ATCOs manage 2,000 flights a day, including 1,000 flights into and out of Changi Airport.

4             To meet rising demand for air travel and prepare for the opening of Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5), CAAS will grow its current workforce of 500 ATCOs by about 40% to around 700 by the mid-2030s.

5      Air Traffic Control (ATC) is a specialised profession that offers many well-paying career opportunities for Singaporeans. Beyond operations, ATCOs can also progress to take on planning, technology, management and international leadership roles. Fresh university graduates receive a starting salary of about S$64,000 per annum^[1] and can earn about S$120,000 per annum with five years of experience after licencing.

6             CAAS will attract more Singaporeans to join the profession through a sign-on bonus for recruits, an undergraduate degree with ATC specialisation, an ATC Undergraduate Scholarship, and an ATC Management Associate Programme to develop future ATC leaders:

a.    Sign-on Bonus: CAAS has introduced a sign-on bonus of $20,000 for all new ATCO recruits with effect from 1 June 2026. The bonus is on top of the current remuneration package. It will be paid in two equal tranches: upon successful completion of the 10-month theory and simulator training; and upon attainment of the ATC licence, typically 18 months after joining.

b.    Undergraduate Degree with ATC Specialisation: CAAS is developing an ATC degree specialisation with a local university. The new degree programme will integrate professional ATC training with undergraduate education and provide an accelerated pathway to qualify for an ATC licence on top of a university degree. CAAS will provide more details on the university and degree programme later.

c.     ATC Undergraduate Scholarship^[2]: CAAS has introduced a new ATC Undergraduate Scholarship to attract young Singaporeans with technical aptitude and leadership potential to pursue an ATC career and to build a pipeline for ATC leadership positions. The scholarship includes a professional ATC training pathway and opportunities to build the breadth required of an ATCO and aviation leader. It also offers various career opportunities, including contributing to international technical work to advance safety and air traffic management, and overseas stints at the Permanent Mission of Singapore to the ICAO in Montreal, Canada, and other international aviation organisations. CAAS has awarded the first ATC scholarship in 2026 to Mr Lee Voy, who will pursue his undergraduate studies in Biological Sciences (Biotechnology) at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom in 2027 after completing his National Service (refer to Annex B). CAAS plans to award more such scholarships in the coming years.

d.    ATC Management Associate Programme: CAAS will launch a new ATC Management Associate Programme in August 2026. This programme is open to fresh graduates with not more than two years of work experience who aspire to build a career in ATC and aviation leadership. The ATC management associates will benefit from the same professional ATC training and career opportunities as ATC scholars.

7             In addition, CAAS will deepen its air navigation engineering and R&D capabilities to drive the development of innovative operational modules and applications and concepts of operation:

a.    Engineering Development Centre: CAAS will establish an Engineering Development Centre to advance our engineering capabilities in ANS. In partnership with industry, research partners and the wider aviation ecosystem, the Centre will focus on customising and enhancing systems while integrating and operationalising innovation to meet Singapore-specific needs. In doing so, it will build deeper local expertise, strengthen operational agility and ensure long-term system resilience. CAAS will provide more details on this Engineering Development Centre when ready.

b.    Support for Researchers at Air Traffic Management Research Institute (ATMRI) Pursuing Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree: CAAS is providing a stipend top-up to local PhD students under the Nanyang Technological University Research Scholarship scheme to attract talent and build up Singapore’s in-country research capabilities in air traffic management (ATM). This will support the $800 million RIE funding that was recently announced.

Machine: Developing Cutting Edge Systems; Upgrading Infrastructure

8             CAAS ATCOs will continue to be supported by cutting-edge systems and infrastructure in their work. CAAS will progressively replace or upgrade over 30 air navigation systems to leverage new technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) to help ATCOs make faster and better decisions, and equip them with enhanced tools to provide safe and seamless air travel. The new systems will be designed with open modular architecture to facilitate adoption of advanced operational concepts and integration of future systems across various platforms. The key systems include:

a.    NexGen Air Traffic Management System (NexGen ATMS): The ATMS is the system used to provide ATC services for aircraft arriving and departing Changi and Seletar Airports, and aircraft flying through airspace under Singapore’s responsibility. The new NexGen ATMS will replace the current system which is reaching end of operational life. The new system will be able to support up to one million aircraft movements annually and process up to 4,000 concurrent aircraft positions in real-time, doubling current capacity. It will cater for up to 150 ATCO workstations at SATCC, up from the current 100. Work for the new system has started and is projected to be completed in 2030.

b.    Integrated Digital Tower System (IDTS): Using cameras and sensors, the IDTS will provide ATCOs an augmented, real-time digital view of the Changi aerodrome with all the safety critical information, integrated, correlated and presented on a common display and control environment for better situational awareness and decision-making. It will also allow ATCOs the flexibility to operate outside the constraints of the physical control towers. With IDTS, there will be a total of 54 aerodrome ATCO workstations, up from the current 20. Work on the IDTS will start in August 2026 with the first operationalisation in 2030 and full completion in mid-2030s when T5 is ready.

c.     Info-Centric Air Traffic Management (iATM): The iATM will allow CAAS to use data and predictive analytics to better anticipate and manage traffic situations before they arise. It will also allow exchange of digital flight plans and aeronautical information with airlines and ANSPs in the region to improve traffic flows and better balance air traffic demand with available capacity. Work on the iATM will start in 2027 and is projected to be completed in 2030.

d.    Open Platform for Air Navigation Services (OPANS): OPANS will enable the seamless sharing and exchange of ANS-related digital information – including aeronautical information and flight plans – within CAAS and with external stakeholders such as other ANSPs in the region, airport operators and research institutes. Digital connectivity lays the foundation for new concepts of operations and facilitates regional collaborative decision making. Work on the OPANS has started and is projected to be completed in 2028.

9             CAAS will refurbish and upgrade the Changi Control Tower and the Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre to increase capacity and house the new systems (refer to Annex C for images). In time to come, CAAS will commence three-runway operations at Singapore Changi Airport.

a.    Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre (SATCC): Operational since 1981, SATCC provides 24/7 approach and area control services. SATCC houses critical air navigation systems, including the core ATM system, surveillance radars, communications facilities and navigational aids, as well as other specialised operational systems. CAAS is building a new SATCC complex to house the new systems and capabilities. To maintain uninterrupted 24/7 operations, the upgrading is being done in phases. Phase 1, covering new electrical substations and a multi-storey car park, has been completed. Phase 2, to be completed by end 2028, will deliver new ATC operations, equipment and maintenance rooms, as well as improved staff amenities, including pantries, rest rooms and a canteen.

b.    Changi Control Tower: Operational since 1981, the Changi Control Tower has become an icon for Singaporeans and travellers alike. CAAS will be upgrading the Changi Control Tower to expand the current facilities and house new systems. The transformation will include re-cladding the external façade and the construction of a new Annex Building between the Tower and Jewel Changi Airport. Works will commence in November 2026 and be completed by the end 2028. During this period, the Changi Control Tower will be covered in scaffolding and aesthetic mesh. CAAS seeks Singaporeans’ and travellers’ understanding for the necessary works and assures that the Changi Control Tower will continue to stand as an iconic landmark while supporting the needs of the Singapore air hub.

c.     Three-Runway Operations: To meet the increase in air travel demand, Changi Airport is progressing towards three-runway operations by the end of this decade, after the third runway is operational for civil use. The three-runway operations will increase Changi Airport’s flight handling capacity and enhance the safety and efficiency of air traffic in the region.

Method: Augmenting ATCO Workforce; Mitigating the Impact of Weather; Optimising Regional Traffic Flows

10             New concepts of operations enabled by technology, particularly AI, will have a transformative impact on ANS, augmenting the ATCO workforce, mitigating the impact of adverse weather and optimising regional traffic flows. CAAS will work with other ANSPs and industry partners to develop and deploy new technologies and pioneer new ways to manage air traffic, unlock latent capacity in the skies and make flying safer, more efficient and resilient.

Augmenting ATCO workforce

11             CAAS will roll out various initiatives to augment the ATCO workforce to raise productivity and reduce cognitive load as traffic grows:

a.    Multi Sector Planner: Currently, in some control sectors, air traffic is managed by two ATCOs – the tactical controller who gives commands and communicates directly with the pilots, and the planner who plans the flow of the air traffic through the sector, manages coordination and assigns flight levels. CAAS has developed and will trial the AI-powered Multi Sector Planner from 2027 to allow one planner to support two to three control sectors. The Multi Sector Planner will streamline coordination, reduce ATCO load and enhance safety.

b.    Digital ATCO Assistant: CAAS is developing a Digital ATCO Assistant to support decision-making and reduce cognitive load. The Digital ATCO Assistant will help ATCOs anticipate emerging traffic and weather situations, provide recommendations on how to sequence traffic and space out aircraft, and manage disruptions.

c.     Automated Read-back Error Detection: CAAS has developed a tool to automate detection of read-back errors between pilots and ATCOs. This will help reduce safety occurrences like runway incursions and loss of separations. The tool will enter live trials later this year.

Mitigating the impact of weather

12             Convective weather can reduce flight throughput and airport capacity. By leveraging technology to better predict the impact of weather on flight movements, ATCOs can better anticipate bottlenecks and constraints, make early interventions and mitigations and reduce diversions to other airports.

Optimising regional traffic flows

13             CAAS will continue to work with other ANSPs in the region and industry partners to optimise air traffic flows across flight information regions through harmonised procedures and interoperable systems, common situational pictures of weather, flight information and aeronautical information and collaborative decision making. For a start, CAAS is developing an AI-enabled Air Traffic Flow Management tool to anticipate and analyse demand-capacity gaps, and propose recommendations which ANSPs can adopt collaboratively.

14             Since September 2025, CAAS, the Air Traffic Management Bureau of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, and the Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department have started daily operational coordination calls to share information and coordinate air traffic flows. Since then, three other ANSPs, the Republic of Korea Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Limited and Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation, have joined the calls.    

15             Mr Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS, said, “As a global air hub, we are committed to serving all airspace users and to deliver for them an even smoother, more seamless and safer travel experience. We plan ahead. We invest, partner and leverage technology to ensure that we have the capacity and capabilities we need to meet rising demand and benefit from aviation’s growth.”

Annex A – Upgrading Man, Machine, Method Capabilities for Air Navigation Services

Annex B – First Air Traffic Control Undergraduate Scholarship Recipient

Annex C – Images of Singapore Air Traffic Control Centre and Changi Control Tower

^[1] Fresh diploma holders will receive a starting pay of around S$49,000 a year. Upon successfully attaining their ATC licence, all new joiners, regardless of qualifications, will be emplaced onto the same ATCO scheme of service.

^[2] https://www.caas.gov.sg/careers/scholarships-and-early-career-programmes/scholarships/

About the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore
The mission of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is to grow a safe, vibrant air hub and civil aviation system, making a key contribution to Singapore's success. CAAS' roles are to oversee and promote safety in the aviation industry, develop the air hub and aviation industry, provide air navigation services, provide aviation training for human resource development, and contribute to the development of international civil aviation. For more information, visit www.caas.gov.sg.

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