Latest news with #InternationalCivilAviationOrganization
Saba Yemen
7 days ago
- Saba Yemen
298 Pilgrims depart Sana'a International Airport to perform Hajj rituals
Sana'a - Saba: The third group of pilgrims to the Holy House of Allah, numbering 298, departed Sana'a International Airport on Monday on two Yemenia Airways flights. Both flights received all ground and technical services in accordance with the standards applied at international airports, meeting the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Over the past two days, 595 pilgrims had departed Sana'a Airport via Yemenia Airways to the Holy Land to perform Hajj rituals, bringing the total number of pilgrims dispatched through the airport to 893. Facebook Whatsapp Telegram Email Print more of (Local)
Business Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Higher height limits a gamechanger for redevelopment potential in areas around Singapore airports: analysts
[SINGAPORE] Relaxed height restrictions near airports and airbases could result in huge increases in built up floor area allowances, a move lauded by property market observers for its potential to unlock redevelopment opportunities. The government is reviewing Singapore's height limits for buildings near airports, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat disclosed on May 22. Residential buildings could be built up to 15 storeys taller, and commercial and industrial buildings could be built up to nine storeys taller. Depending on the existing height limit, adding up to 15 storeys could mean a 100 to 200 per cent increase in gross floor area (GFA) for residential developments, said Tricia Song, CBRE's head of research for Singapore and South-east Asia. 'In land-scarce and densely populated Singapore, one of the fastest and most efficient ways to increase liveable space is to go vertical – allowing more gross area to be built on the same land site,' she said. Alan Cheong, executive director at Savills Singapore, called the review a welcome policy change that may allow nearby properties to raise their plot ratios. Plot ratio determines the maximum allowable GFA on a plot of land. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up The review was conducted by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), and changes take effect internationally from August. Singapore has two airports in Changi and Seletar; and military airbases in Paya Lebar, Sembawang, Changi and Tengah. Areas near Changi Airport include Pasir Ris, Tampines, Simei, Bedok, Eunos and East Coast Park. Seletar Airport is near Seletar, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio and Yio Chu Kang. Cheong said the review could lead to a significant increase in GFA from collective sales or redevelopment of existing residential and commercial properties. Older commercial buildings near Paya Lebar air base, previously limited by height restrictions, could see redevelopment potential. Additional GFA may be unlocked if industrial sites are rezoned for higher-value uses. Details of the proposed changes have yet to be revealed by the authorities. Building height limits near airports and airbases depend on their distance from runways and air navigation equipment, said Lim Boon Chai of To70 Aviation Consulting. Generally, buildings up to 4 km from an airport are allowed to reach 45 m above runway elevation, though stricter limits apply along flight paths or near navigational facilities. Outside these zones, height caps vary – up to 305 m in the CBD and 150 m in some residential areas, he said. A 2019 report by the Centre for Liveable Cities, an arm of the Ministry of National Development, noted that in Tampines, building heights are capped at 12 to 14 storeys. Aviation height restrictions, among other factors, can influence the type of properties built on a site and the value they fetch. Market boost? Analysts reckon that changes to height limits could also drive up the value of existing homes and buildings. CBRE's Song said that for older projects, the increased plot ratios will benefit potential en bloc sellers as their land is now worth more. 'If you can build more gross area on the same piece of land, there is more premium in selling for redevelopment than in selling in the secondary market,' she added. Developers in turn may now be prepared to pay more. 'The gap between developers' prices and sellers' prices will narrow, and more en bloc or collective sales could happen,' she said. Developers could also now have more choices for their landbanking, she added. The collective sales market was subdued in 2024, with only four successful deals out of the 16 properties put on the market – half of 2023's 32 properties. Most recently in April, the tender for Pasir Ris condo Elias Green closed with no bids, after being put on the market with a guide price of S$928 million. The site, currently built up to 16 storeys and standing on a parcel with a low plot ratio of 1.4, was priced at a land rate of S$1,355 per square foot per plot ratio. This factors in a 10 per cent bonus gross floor area and an estimated land betterment charge of S$150.8 million for intensification and upgrading to a fresh 99-year lease. 'Owners of Elias Green have submitted an outline application for an increase in plot ratio from 1.4 to 1.8. With this relaxation in building height, the URA may view the outline application in a more favourable light,' said Tay Liam Hiap, the agency's managing director of capital markets and investment sales. Savills' Cheong expects prices of new residential projects or resale flats near airports and air bases to rise. 'Any new launches or resales in the area will price in the future growth potential and thus prices would implicitly be moving up from now on,' he said. 'Developers would bid according to what they believe they can sell and if the selling prices go up, then they will be more willing to bid higher for either government land sales or collective sales sites.' CBRE's Song noted that for residential projects, taller buildings generally command higher prices per square foot, as buyers value unblocked views and reduced noise. While relaxed height restrictions could increase supply across residential, commercial and industrial sectors, lifting GFA allowances requires further feasibility studies, said Knight Frank Singapore's head of consultancy Alice Tan. Private sites with 'low development baselines' are less likely to support higher plot ratios or upgraded use groups, given current high land betterment charge (LBC) rates, she noted. Developers pay an LBC for the right to enhance the use of some sites or to build bigger projects on them. Still, analysts cautioned that more studies are needed before redevelopment can take off. CBRE's Song said: 'Increased plot ratios will mean higher density, and the existing road network and transport infrastructure may not be able to support. Detailed transport impact assessment and planning will have to be undertaken.' Chua Yang Liang, JLL's head of research and consultancy for South-east Asia, said: 'Any increase in development capacity would need to be evaluated alongside corresponding adjustments to LBCs, construction costs, and other financial considerations that developers must balance.' The CAAS said agencies will assess the implications of the revisions, taking into account other infrastructure and planning considerations. Savills' Cheong also pointed out that the increase in height limits may not be beneficial for commercial properties upon redevelopment. 'Already, the demand for offices in less prime locations is not strong, and the retail/food and beverage sectors have been struggling.'
Coin Geek
23-05-2025
- Coin Geek
India rolls out biometric e-passports in major overhaul
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... India, the world's fastest-growing major economy, has taken a significant step in its digital tra nsformation journey with the modernization of international travel by launching chip-enabled biometric e-passports. India joins several other nations, such as the United States, Canada, France, and Japan, in deploying this advanced technology. This transition is part of a broader digital overhaul aimed at bolstering border security, curbing identity theft, and expediting immigration processes for citizens. With this initiative, India aligns itself with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), bringing its passport technology in line with global best practices. This move facilitates smoother travel for citizens and strengthens India's reputation as a forward-looking, technologically capable nation. India's e-passport is a modern travel document that integrates physical and electronic features. It includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an embedded antenna within the passport's cover, which securely stores the holder's personal details and biometric data. This advanced passport can be recognized by a small gold-colored symbol printed on the lower portion of the front cover, indicating the presence of the electronic chip. The initiative began in April 2024 as part of the revamped Passport Seva Programme 2.0. Initial testing reportedly took place in a select group of cities, including Nagpur, Bhubaneswar, Jammu, Panaji, Shimla, Raipur, Amritsar, Jaipur, Chennai, Hyderabad, Surat, and Ranchi. A full-scale national deployment is expected to be completed by mid-2025. Each e-passport features an embedded Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) chip and an antenna integrated into the back cover. The chip securely stores the holder's personal and biometric details, such as a digital facial image, fingerprints, name, birthdate, and passport number. This information is safeguarded by global encryption protocols like Basic Access Control (BAC), Passive Authentication (PA), and Extended Access Control (EAC), ensuring robust data protection. These smart passports are compatible with automated border control systems, commonly known as e-gates, which enable contactless identity verification. This advancement significantly reduces processing time at immigration checkpoints by replacing manual document checks with fast, automated procedures. Applying for a biometric passport is straightforward. Citizens can initiate the process through the Passport Seva Portal, book an appointment at a Passport Seva Kendra or designated Post Office, and complete biometric data collection in person. All biometric passports are manufactured domestically at the India Security Press in Nashik, ensuring stringent data privacy while supporting the government's Make in India mission and safeguarding national interests. India's introduction of biometric e-passports marks a crucial phase in its digital travel journey. Future developments are expected to include mobile-based passport wallets, integration with Aadhaar and DigiLocker systems, blockchain-backed identity verification, and even visa data embedded directly into passport chips. This move signals a shift toward a more intelligent, paperless, and contact-free travel ecosystem. By embracing this digital innovation, India enhances its border management capabilities and paves the way for a smarter, more seamless travel experience for its citizens in the coming years. According to the recent World Tourism Barometer released by the United Nations Tourism, approximately 1.4 billion people engaged in international travel during 2024, signaling a near-complete rebound to pre-COVID levels—reaching 99% of figures recorded before the pandemic. This marks an 11% growth compared to 2023, translating to about 140 million additional international tourist arrivals. The surge was fueled by strong post-pandemic travel demand, solid performance from major outbound markets, and the continued revival of tourism across destinations in Asia-Pacific. This global resurgence of international travel has prompted many countries to adopt biometric solutions to manage increasing traveler volumes securely. Traditional machine-readable passports are more susceptible to fraud and unauthorized alterations. In contrast, biometric passports offer heightened security and authenticity, significantly reducing the risk of forgery and identity misuse. Existing passports to remain valid All passports currently issued by the government will remain valid until their designated expiry dates. There is no requirement for citizens to replace existing passports prematurely. As individual passport offices become equipped with the necessary technology to issue e-passports, applicants submitting requests through those offices will begin receiving the new electronic version. The nationwide rollout of e-passports is being implemented in stages and is expected to take several months to reach all passport offices nationwide. One of the most significant advantages of the e-passport lies in its ability to better protect and validate the passport holder's personal information. Each e-passport will store the holder's details in printed form on the passport booklet and digitally within an embedded chip. This chip contains cryptographically signed data that can be verified by immigration authorities worldwide, providing strong protection against document tampering, counterfeiting, and misuse. It also enables rapid and accurate authentication at border checkpoints. The core technology enabling this secure framework is Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which is critical in verifying the authenticity and integrity of the data stored on the chip. PKI ensures that personal and biometric information remains secure and originates from a legitimate source, offering an added layer of trust in global travel documentation. Watch: Here's how digital vouchers will boost Japan tourism title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="">
Business Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Height limit of Singapore buildings near airports under review; move could increase housing supply
[SINGAPORE] The government is reviewing Singapore's height limits for buildings near airports, a move that could free up more space for both residential and commercial developments, Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat announced on Thursday (May 22). 'This would allow buildings in different areas across Singapore to be built higher, potentially up to 15 storeys for residential buildings and up to nine storeys for industrial and commercial buildings,' said Chee. Singapore has two airports in Changi and Seletar; and military airbases in Paya Lebar, Sembawang, Changi and Tengah. Areas near Changi Airport include Pasir Ris, Tampines, Simei, Bedok, Eunos and East Coast Park. Seletar Airport, meanwhile, is close to Seletar, Yishun, Ang Mo Kio and Yio Chu Kang. Height restriction requirements around airports are being revised, after a review by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. Changes will come into effect internationally from August, Chee said. The review aims to free up more airspace for developments, while ensuring aviation safety, said Chee, who was speaking at the annual Singapore Business Awards, organised by The Business Times and logistics company DHL. 'The existing requirements were set in the 1950s. Since then, there have been technological advancements in aircraft and air navigation systems,' said Chee. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Tuesday, 12 pm Property Insights Get an exclusive analysis of real estate and property news in Singapore and beyond. Sign Up Sign Up A report by the Centre for Liveable Cities published in 2019 noted that in Tampines, building heights are capped at 12 to 14 storeys. While more studies need to be done to confirm the increase in height restrictions in Singapore, the change will 'support further land intensification, which is very important for land-scarce Singapore'. The 'achievable benefits' will depend on other infrastructure and planning considerations. 'It could open up new opportunities for our businesses and have the potential to increase overall housing supply that will benefit more Singaporeans,' said Chee. The height limit review is one of several areas identified for improvement under the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Pro-Enterprise rules review led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, said Chee, who is slated to be Minister for National Development in the new Cabinet line-up. Chee succeeds Desmond Lee, who will helm the education ministry.
Hans India
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistan Extends Airspace Ban on Indian Flights Amid Rising Conflict
Amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, Pakistan has closed its airspace to Indian flights. It is reported that Pakistan has decided to extend this closure for another month. Local media reports suggest that the Pakistani government is expected to make an official announcement regarding this ban in the next couple of days. According to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations, airspace restrictions cannot be imposed for more than one month at a time. The ban imposed by Pakistan last month is valid until May 23. It is now reported that Pakistan has decided to extend this ban for another month. Pakistan has previously imposed similar airspace restrictions on Indian flights, notably during the 1999 Kargil War and the 2019 Pulwama incident, amidst heightened tensions. Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India began retaliatory actions against its neighboring country. As part of this, India suspended the Indus Water Treaty and ordered Pakistani nationals to leave the country immediately. Subsequently, India imposed airspace restrictions preventing Pakistani flights from flying over Indian airspace.
