Changi Airports International and BIG Team Up for Bhutan’s Next Regional Hub

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Changi Airports International (CAI) of Singapore has been chosen to collaborate with the renowned architectural firm Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) on the ambitious development of an international airport in the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) in Bhutan. This partnership reflects the significance of the project, given Changi Airport’s status as one of the largest and most highly acclaimed airports in Asia, having secured the prestigious "Best Airport" award eight times consecutively.

Vision for GMC: Insights from Bhutan Innovation Forum

Eugene Gan, the Chief Executive Officer of CAI, shared his insights on this transformative project during his attendance at the Bhutan Innovation Forum (BIF). He emphasized the deep engagement and vision laid out by Bhutan’s King during a previous visit to Changi Airport in Singapore. “Six months ago, we had the honor of hosting His Majesty and his team at Changi Airport, and even though it was only for a few hours, it was a very engaging and wide-ranging discussion. His Majesty elaborated on his vision for GMC, including his priorities and strategies,” Gan remarked.

Gan further discussed the strategic importance of the airport in terms of its potential to drive both Origin Destination (OD) traffic and transfer traffic. He explained that OD traffic refers to passengers either entering or exiting the airport's catchment area, while transfer traffic focuses on travelers using the airport as a layover hub, an approach that has been successfully implemented in cities like Dubai, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Gelephu’s Regional Impact: Beyond Bhutan’s Borders

Contrary to initial assumptions about Gelephu’s relatively modest population of 100,000 or even Bhutan’s total population of 800,000, Gan stressed the broader regional significance of the airport. "GMC is at the doorstep of more than 5 million residents across the border, benefiting from the proximity to key Indian cities in Assam and West Bengal," he noted.

He underscored the potential for the Gelephu Airport to become a regional hub, even with Bhutan’s current low air traffic. “The GMC project is a game changer that could push the boundaries of the aviation landscape here and possibly transform it into a hub airport for this region in the longer term," he said. Gan highlighted the importance of getting the right strategies, infrastructure, and policies in place to capitalize on this opportunity.

Additionally, Gan pointed out a unique element of the GMC project—the incorporation of mindfulness and deeply ingrained societal values, setting it apart from other large-scale developments worldwide. He concluded by noting the CAI team's excitement and inspiration from the project, seeing it as an innovative leap forward not just for Bhutan, but for the region.

This visionary project could redefine aviation in South Asia, positioning Bhutan as a key player in the region’s air travel network.