http://www.caas.gov.sg/caas/en/Media/?__locale=en (Alerted by post by CAAS!!!) Many thanks to CAAS for this!

Silver Jubilee Celebrations at Changi Airport
Singapore Changi Airport celebrates its 25th birthday on 1 July 2006. To commemorate this significant milestone, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) is organising a series of exciting and enjoyable events, such as attractive shopping promotions and activities, at the airport. A 25-week Shopping Festival, which forms part of the series of events, was officially launched today by MG(NS) Lim Kim Choon, Senior Deputy Director-General, CAAS, at the Departure/Transit Mall of Terminal 1. The Shopping Festival encompasses four components namely the ‘Changi-VISA S$2.5 Million Sure-Win Jackpot’, ‘VISA-All-It-Takes Grand Lucky Draw’, ‘Changi WOW Weekend’ and the ‘Changi Airport 25th Anniversary Sale’.

At the official launch today, MG(NS) Lim witnessed the sure-win jackpot game in session and, as its name suggests, all participants walked away with prizes. Since the Shopping Festival kicked off on 29 April 2006, more than 30,000 passengers have played the jackpot game and won prizes such as Changi Airport shopping vouchers ranging from S$250 to S$25,000, exclusive Balmain pens and limited edition Changi Airport souvenirs among others.

Passengers were today also seen snapping up the Apple iPOD Video at half its usual price. This half-price deal is part of the ‘Changi WOW Weekends’ promotion where a current bestselling item is sold at 50% discount on every Saturday throughout the 25-week Shopping Festival. This promotion has been a bargain-hunting hit among passengers who have snapped up the latest and trendiest apparels, digital cameras and camcorders at 50% discount. During Changi’s birthday month of July, passengers will be in for a bigger treat when the Saturday specials will go for just $25 regardless of its original price. These specials include a Samsonite luggage bag worth S$200 that will be sold at $25.

Besides the Shopping Festival, other activities planned by CAAS include goodie bags and a travelling exhibition. To make Changi Airport’s 25th birthday a memorable and enjoyable experience for passengers and Singaporeans alike, CAAS will be distributing birthday presents at both the public and transit areas of Changi Airport on 1 July. Singaporeans who turn 25 years of age on this day can also drop by the airport to collect a limited edition Changi Airport Sasha bear while Changi’s passengers born on 1 July will similarly receive special gifts. In addition, to trace Changi Airport’s journey and achievements over the last 25 years, CAAS will be launching a travelling exhibition called ‘The Changi Airport Story’ on 1 July. This exhibition will be displayed at Changi Airport until 31 July 2006 after which it will travel on to other locations in Singapore such as community libraries and tertiary institutions.

Singapore Changi Airport started operations on 1 July 1981 with one terminal building and 35 airlines connecting to 70 cities in 44 countries through 1,400 weekly scheduled flights. Changi has since grown to be a leading air hub in the region and today serves 82 airlines connecting 181 cities in 57 countries through more than 4000 weekly scheduled flights. Passenger traffic handled by Changi has grown four-fold from 8 million passengers in 1981 to a record of 32.4 million passengers in 2005. Over the years, Changi Airport has also been consistently voted as the world’s best airport and has bagged some 250 accolades to date.