Singapore is famous for its remarkable transformation from a small trading port to a global financial hub. Celebrated today for its ultra-clean streets, garden city features, street food culture in hawker centres, and world-class attractions like Marina Bay Sands…it’s one of Asia’s most attractive destinations. Among these attractions, Changi Airport is the no.1 world’s best airport for 2025 that calls Singapore home. But did you know Singapore’s aviation history was born long before the iconic Changi Airport? In fact, the first international airport in Singapore opened in 1928 and it’s known as Seletar Airport.
History of Seletar Airport – first airport in Singapore
The oldest airport is Seletar Airport, which opened in 1928 by the British Royal Air Force, and it was known as RAF Seletar. It was carved out of mangrove swamps and rubber plantations in the northeastern part of Singapore. Interestingly, it served both military and civil purposes until Kallang Airport opened in 1937.
By 1930, Seletar Airport welcomed its first commercial flight making it the birthplace of Singapore’s international civil aviation. The airport’s first commercial flight arrived in February 1930 from Jakarta. Following this, it served as a primary civil airport for seven years.
Additionally, the airbase quickly became the RAF’s main outpost in the Far East specifically for its strategic location away from the exposed southern coast of Singapore. Although, Seletar Airfield was a key target in the Japanese bombing of Singapore during World War II before its occupation by the Japanese military. Meanwhile, the RAF maintained operations after the war until 1971, before the Singapore government took it over.
Interestingly, aviation legends Amelia Earhart and Amy Johnson made notable stopovers at Seletar Airport during their historic flights.
Seletar Airport today
Today, Seletar Airport stands as the nation’s oldest operational aerodrome and the first international airport. It transitioned back to civil aviation in the 1970s and continues to support general aviation, training, and maintenance activities, while preserving its unique legacy in Singapore’s aviation history.
Seletar Airport has undergone significant modernization and acts as a secondary commercial airport to relieve pressure on Changi Airport. Mainly, it serves turboprop flights, private jets, and aviation training.
Notably, Kallang Airport took over civil operations in 1937 but it was replaced by Paya Lebar Airport in 1955, before Changi Airport officially commenced operations in 1981.
Image credit to Military Wikipedia where you can learn more about Seletar Airport.
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