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Paya Lebar Air Base

Coordinates: 01°21′37″N 103°54′34″E / 1.36028°N 103.90944°E / 1.36028; 103.90944
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"Singapore International Airport" redirects here. For the currently used commercial airport in Singapore, see Changi Airport.

Paya Lebar Airbase
Lapangan Terbang Paya Lebar

巴耶利峇空軍基地

பாயா லெபார் விமான தளம்
Paya Lebar, Singapore in Singapore
The control tower and terminal building in 1971
Site information
TypeMilitary airbase
OwnerMinistry of Defence
OperatorRepublic of Singapore Air Force
Controlled byRepublic of Singapore Air Force
ConditionOperational
Location
Map
Paya Lebar Airbase is located in Singapore
Paya Lebar Airbase
Paya Lebar Airbase
Location in Singapore
Coordinates01°21′37″N 103°54′34″E / 1.36028°N 103.90944°E / 1.36028; 103.90944
Site history
Built21 August 1955 (1955-08-21) (as Singapore International Airport)
In use1955 – present
FateDecommissioned by 2030s
Airfield information
IdentifiersIATA: QPG, ICAO: WSAP
Runways
Direction Length and surface
02/20 3,780 metres (12,402 ft) Asphalt
Source: DAFIF[1][2]

Paya Lebar Air Base (IATA: QPG, ICAO: WSAP) is a military airbase operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), situated along Airport Road in Paya Lebar, within the eastern region of Singapore. Serving as a key installation for the RSAF, the airbase adopts the motto Strength Through Readiness, reflecting its operational commitment and strategic significance within Singapore's defence framework.

Originally established in 1955 as the Singapore International Airport, it was built to replace the former Kallang Airport as the country’s main civil aviation hub. The airport played a crucial role in Singapore’s early aviation history until 1980, when civilian air traffic was moved to Changi Airport. That same year, control of the facility was handed over to the RSAF, and the site was officially designated as Paya Lebar Air Base.

According to the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA)'s Master Plan, Paya Lebar Air Base is planned for decommissioning by around 2030. The site will be redeveloped into a new town, featuring residential and commercial areas. In preparation for this, RSAF operations are progressively being shifted to other airbases across the country, including expanded facilities at Changi and Tengah, throughout the 2020s.[3][4]

History

[edit]
The Sunday Times on 21 August 1955, reporting on the opening of Paya Lebar Airport by Colonial Secretary Alan Lennox-Boyd, 1st Viscount Boyd of Merton

The airport was constructed between 1952 and 1955, officially opening on 20 August 1955 with a ceremony led by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Alan Lennox-Boyd, 1st Viscount Boyd of Merton.[5] The project cost approximately $37 million and was designed by J. J. Bryan, a public works engineer with prior experience in airport construction across Asia. Serving as Singapore’s main international gateway at the time, it replaced the older Kallang Airport and quickly became an important regional aviation hub.[6]

During its early years, the airport served as one of two main hubs for Malayan Airways. In 1958, the airline conducted its first service outside Southeast Asia using a DC-4 leased from Qantas, flying to Hong Kong. Over the next few years, the airline introduced turboprop aircraft and rebranded as Malaysian Airways. In 1962, a joint RAF and Singapore civil Air Traffic Control service was established to provide military cover for air defence. British Eagle’s Britannia aircraft supported British military logistics, while the introduction of the de Havilland Comet 4C and later the Vickers VC10 aircraft significantly reduced travel time.[5]

By 1966, the airline had shifted its focus to Singapore, acquiring Boeing 707s and adopting the name Malaysia-Singapore Airlines, operating with a distinctive fluorescent yellow livery. Paya Lebar became its primary hub, with routes expanding into North Asia. Malaysia-Singapore Airlines was dissolved in 1972, splitting into Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines, the latter retaining the 707 fleet and continuing operations at Paya Lebar.[5] From 1979 to 1980, British Airways, in collaboration with Singapore Airlines, operated supersonic Concorde flights from London's Heathrow Airport to Paya Lebar.[5] However, as the airport became increasingly constrained by surrounding housing estates, a new airport was commissioned.[5] Construction of Changi Airport began in 1975 and was completed in 1981, at which point civil operations ceased at Paya Lebar and the IATA airport code SIN and ICAO airport code WSSS were officially transferred to Changi.[5]

Conversion to military use

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The airport began its transition into a military facility in late 1967 with the construction of an Air Movement Centre to support the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the Ministry of Defence charter flights and foreign military aircraft. Key structures such as the terminal building, hangar and control tower were retained but restricted from public access. The transformation was completed in 1981 when all civilian operations moved to Changi, after which the site was fully converted into a military airbase and officially renamed Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB).

Paya Lebar Air Base

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The air base currently houses aircraft such as the C-130 Hercules[7] and two squadrons of F-15SG Strike Eagles.

The flying squadrons are:

The support squadrons are:

  • Air Logistics Squadron (ALS)
  • Airfield Maintenance Squadron (AMS)
  • Field Defence Squadron (FDS)
  • Flying Support Squadron (FSS)

Former squadrons based here are:

Use by the United States Air Force

[edit]
Air Force One carrying U.S. President Donald Trump landing at Paya Lebar for the 2018 North Korea–United States summit

Under Singapore's authorisation, Paya Lebar Air Base is utilised by several units of the United States Air Force and United States Navy, including elements of the United States Marine Corps Aviation. It serves as a strategic refuelling and staging post for transiting aircraft, particularly within the Indo-Pacific region. Since 31 October 1991, the 497th Combat Training Squadron has been permanently based at Paya Lebar, conducting regular flight operations in coordination with the Republic of Singapore Air Force.[9]

The airbase also frequently receives VIP aircraft operated by the United States government. Air Force One has landed at the base during several official visits by American presidents, including George W. Bush in October 2003[10] and November 2006,[11] and by Barack Obama on 14 November 2009 for the APEC Singapore 2009 Summit.[12] In 2007, Air Force Two carrying U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney made a refuelling stop and underwent minor repairs at the base while en route from Australia.[13]

In more recent years, the base continued to be a key transit point for high-profile visits involving the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump arrived aboard the Air Force One's Boeing VC-25A on 10 June 2018 to attend the 2018 North Korea–United States summit, while North Korean leader Kim Jong Un landed separately at Changi on an Air China's Boeing 747-400.[14][15][16] Early media reports speculated that Kim would land at PLAB in an Air Koryo's Ilyushin Il-62.[17] On 22 August 2021, Air Force Two carrying Vice President Kamala Harris also landed at Paya Lebar for an official visit to Singapore.[18] The airbase regularly accommodates aircraft such as the Boeing E-4B during visits by the United States Secretary of Defense, and the Boeing C-32 used by the United States Secretary of State and Vice President.

Decommissioning

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Paya Lebar is expected to be decommissioned from 2030,[19] with expansion works currently underway at Tengah Air Base and Changi Air Base during the 2020s to accommodate the relocation of RSAF assets.[20] Following its closure, height restrictions in the Central Area will be relaxed, and Paya Lebar will be redeveloped into a new town comprising housing, offices, factories and green spaces.[21] Heritage elements such as the former runway may be preserved as part of parks and museums within the new development.[22]

[edit]

Legacy

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Being Singapore's first major international airport, the old passenger terminal building and control tower still stands, though they now house air force units and are off-limits to the public. Nevertheless, much of the interior still remains intact and is almost completely preserved from the time it was first built.[23] The road which used to lead to the old passenger terminal is also still known as Airport Road.

Air Force Museum

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The RSAF Museum

The RSAF maintains the Air Force Museum, which is open to the public and showcases the air force's history and capabilities. The museum is located at 400 Airport Road, Singapore 534234 beside the airbase. It went through an upgrade and update of the exhibits in 2015.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Airport information for WSAP". World Aero Data. Archived from the original on 5 March 2019. Data current as of October 2006. Source: DAFIF.
  2. ^ Airport information for QPG at Great Circle Mapper. Source: DAFIF (effective October 2006).
  3. ^ "Singapore 2030: How the Lion City will transform in the next decade". The Straits Times. 31 August 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  4. ^ Lim, Kimberly (6 June 2022). "Plans for Paya Lebar Air Base to be 'new generation town', Springleaf estate to retain rich biodiversity". TODAY. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "The Door to Singapore". The Straits Times. 21 August 1955. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  6. ^ Kraal, Ivor (14 August 1955). "Singapore's Great Day". The Straits Times. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
  7. ^ Leong, Wai Kit. "Two C-130 aircraft from Singapore scour seas for QZ8501". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  8. ^ "Inauguration of the RSAF's First Local F-15SG Squadron". MINDEF press release. 5 April 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2010.
  9. ^ "497th Combat Training Squadron (497th CTS)". United States Embassy to Singapore. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 7 July 2011.
  10. ^ "Bush greeted by 'quiet reception' in Singapore – ASEAN/East Asia | The Star Online". The Star. Malaysia. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  11. ^ "President George W. Bush looks on as Laura Bush is greeted by Patricia L. Herbold, U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, upon their arrival at Paya Lebar Airport Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, for a two-day visit. White House photo by Eric Draper". georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  12. ^ "Obama in Singapore for economic summit". Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  13. ^ Bohan, Caren (25 February 2007). "Cheney plane leaves Singapore after minor repairs". Reuters. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  14. ^ "Trump may leave G-7 early for Singapore amid trade dispute". The Straits Times. 9 June 2018.
  15. ^ "Trump to land in Singapore on Sunday night, ahead of historic summit with Kim Jong-un". TODAYonline. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  16. ^ "Donald Trump to meet Kim Jong Un in Singapore: What you need to know about the historic summit". The Straits Times. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  17. ^ "North Korea's Kim Jong Un expected to land at Changi Airport on Sunday: Source". The Straits Times. 8 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  18. ^ joanchew (22 August 2021). "US Vice-President Kamala Harris arrives in Singapore". The Straits Times. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
  19. ^ "Parliament: Paya Lebar Airbase relocation will be completed from 2030". AsiaOne. 20 January 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  20. ^ "5 things to know about the expansion of Tengah Air Base". The Straits Times. 18 July 2017.
  21. ^ Lim, Sean (18 July 2017). "A different Paya Lebar, with air base gone". The Straits Times. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  22. ^ Liew, Isabelle (6 June 2022). "Fancy a jog down the runway? Plans for Paya Lebar Air Base may see runway kept as part of new town | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
  23. ^ Daven Wu (6 May 2009). "Paya Lebar Airport, Singapore". IPC Media's Wallpaper*. Retrieved 11 May 2010.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Paya Lebar Air Base.
External images
image icon Overflight photo 1 of Paya Lebar Airport, 1962
image icon Overflight photo 2 of Paya Lebar Airport, 1962
image icon Overflight photo 3 of Paya Lebar Airport, 1962
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