Changi Airport Group (CAG) has appointed a joint venture consisting of Samsung C&T and Koh Brothers for the first development work to build a third runway at Changi Airport.

The contract, worth 1.1 billion Singapore dollars ($789 million), will cover work including pavements, drainage, security fencing and perimeter roads, mechanical and electrical work, as well as road diversions. The joint venture also covers construction of canals and drains to stop the runway and taxiways from flooding. The plan is to convert the third runway, which is used by the military, for joint civil and military use and extend it to handle larger aircraft.

CAG executive vice president for air hub and development, Yam Kum Weng says: “The additional runway capacity brought about by a three-runway system will take Changi to its next phase of growth beyond this decade. The extension of runway three, together with the new taxiway system linking to the existing Changi Airport, will total about 40 kilometres.”

“A whole suite of supporting infrastructure and airfield systems will also be built to support three-runway operations.”

“We look forward to partnering the Samsung C&T – Koh Brothers joint venture to ensure that high safety standards are maintained, with minimum impact on ongoing airfield operations throughout the construction.”

Samsung C&T president and chief executive officer, Chi Hun Choi says: “We appreciate this exciting opportunity to participate in this key project for the expansion of Changi Airport, and are very pleased to partner Koh Brothers for this. With our combined resources and strong focus on safety and quality, we are fully committed to delivering this project successfully.”

The joint venture is the first of a number of work packages at Changi to have a three-runway system by the early 2020s.