Estimated Increase in Frequency of Flights from Tengah Air Base After Relocation of Paya Lebar Air Base
Ministry of DefenceSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the projected flight frequency increase at Tengah Air Base and noise mitigation measures following the relocation of Paya Lebar Air Base, as raised by Ms Hazel Poa. Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen stated that the Republic of Singapore Air Force estimates a 15% to 20% increase in flights at Tengah once operations are relocated. To manage noise, the RSAF conducts 50% of training requirements overseas, utilizes flight simulators, plans local routes away from residential areas, and adjusts training during school examinations. Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen also highlighted collaboration with agencies to implement noise-mitigating features for new housing, such as thicker window glass and noise-deflecting facades. These measures include orienting buildings away from direct flight paths to further reduce the impact of aircraft noise on residents living in the vicinity of the air base.
Transcript
2 Ms Hazel Poa asked the Minister for Defence (a) what is the estimated increase in the frequency of flights from Tengah Air Base after operations from Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) are relocated there prior to PLAB's decommissioning in 2030; and (b) what are the noise mitigation measures being explored.
Dr Ng Eng Hen: The decision to relocate the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) capabilities and activities at Paya Lebar Air Base (PLAB) elsewhere was taken with the paramount consideration that it would not weaken Singapore's ability to defend itself. Thus, Tengah and Changi Air Bases were expanded to make up for the closure of PLAB. After the relocation of PLAB, the RSAF estimates a 15% to 20% increase in the frequency of flights at Tengah Air Base.
To minimise the impact of aircraft noise on residents in the vicinity of our airbases, the RSAF has in place several noise abatement measures. These include conducting about 50% of RSAF flying training requirements overseas, shifting some of the local flying requirements to simulators, planning for local flying routes away from residential areas where possible and adjusting flying training tempo and hours during school examinations period.
The Ministry of Defence and the RSAF have also worked with Government agencies, such as the Housing and Development Board, and the National Environment Agency, on noise mitigating measures for new infrastructure developments in the vicinity of air bases, such as Tengah New Town. Examples of measures adopted for public housing include thicker window glass for better sound insulation when windows are closed, façade designs with overhangs or canopies to deflect and abate noise transmission and orientating buildings away from the direct line of aircraft flight paths.