-Asia's economic slowdown has caused a one-year delay in the opening of a third passenger terminal at Singapore's Changi Airport. According to Singapore communications minister Mah Bow Tan, the terminal is expected to open in 2006, because the urgency of the project has been reduced as a result of a slump in passenger traffic. Upgrades to its two terminals should provide a capacity boost of about 10 million passengers annually, to between 40 million and 45 million. Overall, traffic at the airport in 1998 dropped 5.4% to 23.8 million passengers, the first reduction in passenger traffic to Singapore in 10 years.
-Brussels South Airport at Charleroi has been given the green light to extend its runway to 3,400m (11,150ft) by Belgium's regional Walloon government. The environmental impact study required by Belgian law has found no objections to the plan.
-The Thai Government has given the go-ahead for the construction of a new international airport for Bangkok. Construction is scheduled to get under way this year with completion set for 2005. The $7.2 billion project will include two terminals, a cargo site and two runways. A third terminal for domestic flights is being considered.
Source: Flight International
