Kallang Airport

Kallang Airport was closed primarily due to its inability to cope with the post-World War II boom in air traffic and the advent of larger, heavier jet aircraft. Its single runway was too short for the new generation of airliners like the de Havilland Comet, and its location, surrounded by the city, offered no possibility for expansion. To meet the growing demands of international aviation, the government constructed a new, larger, and more modern airport at Paya Lebar, to which all commercial flight operations were transferred.

The site is no longer an airport and has been completely redeveloped. The original runway and apron area have been repurposed into roads, most notably 'Old Airport Road' and 'Kallang Airport Way'. The iconic main terminal building and two of the original hangars have been preserved and gazetted as national monuments for their architectural and historical value. For many years, the terminal building served as the headquarters for the People's Association. The surrounding area has been transformed into a major sports and lifestyle precinct known as 'Kallang Alive', which includes the Singapore Sports Hub, Kallang Wave Mall, and various sporting facilities. The area is now a vibrant, densely populated urban space, with the famous Old Airport Road Food Centre, located nearby, paying homage to the site's aviation past.

Kallang Airport was Singapore's first purpose-built civil aerodrome and a major international aviation hub during the 'golden age of travel'. Officially opened on June 12, 1937, it was hailed as an engineering marvel, built on reclaimed swampland at the Kallang Basin. Its design was unique, allowing it to serve both landplanes and seaplanes (flying boats), making it one of the most advanced airports of its time. The airport's terminal building is a celebrated example of Art Deco architecture. During its operational years, it handled major international airlines such as Imperial Airways (later BOAC), Qantas Empire Airways, and KLM. It was a crucial stop on the London-Sydney 'Kangaroo Route'. Famed aviator Amelia Earhart visited Kallang in 1937 during her ill-fated round-the-world flight attempt. During World War II, it was used by the British Royal Air Force and subsequently taken over by the Japanese Imperial Army Air Force during the occupation. After the war, it resumed its role as Singapore's primary international gateway until its closure. Its historical IATA code was KLG.

There are zero plans or prospects for Kallang Airport to reopen as an aviation facility. Its former grounds are now an integral part of Singapore's urban landscape, occupied by major roads, residential buildings, and the national sports hub. The physical infrastructure required for an airport, such as the runway and taxiways, has been completely removed. The focus is on the adaptive reuse and conservation of its remaining heritage buildings as part of the ongoing urban development of the Kallang area.