Like the supporting cast in a Hollywood blockbuster, each of these companies has played a largely unsung part in the big success story that is Changi Airport. There are many of them - too many to remember.

Yet, there's no denying that without these companies, which form the backbone of the aviation business, there would be no Changi Airport today.

When we talk of Singapore as a leading aviation hub, Changi Airport leaps immediately to mind. Then, comes a vision of the vast number - 80 - of airlines that use it to fly to more than 180 cities in 50 countries, the record number of passengers and tourists who go through the airport yearly and the heavy loads of cargo that Changi handles.

But Singapore as a leading aviation hub also embraces the entire value chain behind Changi's success - the seamless master-planning in the design and management of airport to the delivery of airport services like baggage handling and terminal operations.

So it's not only about Singapore Airlines, but also local companies such as Changi Airport International and SATS, according to Jacelyn Teo, assistant director for transport and logistics at International Enterprise Singapore.

The inflow of passengers and cargo handled have kept Singapore thriving as an aviation hub, with huge spin-offs for the local aviation industry. Yet, Ms Teo said, Changi's traffic growth is 'maturing' - and IE Singapore, which is pushing Singapore companies to go international, wants more companies in the aviation business to strike out into the global markets.

There are plenty of opportunities outside which Singapore companies can grab, she said.

'The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing tremendous growth in air traffic,' Ms Teo noted. 'Many airports in the region are approaching maximum capacity and are in dire need of new or expanded infrastructure.'

What's more, she added, most of the airports in big cities like Dubai, Mumbai and Beijing are already operating at or near capacity, which requires more efficient handling.

'Over the next few years, there will be numerous airport construction and expansion projects, especially in China, Vietnam and India,' Ms Teo said. 'There will be immense opportunities for Singapore aviation-related companies to participate in these projects.'

Riding on the success of Changi, she reckoned, Singapore companies stand a good chance of grabbing a piece of the action.

'The excellent airport management of Changi has inspired many countries to operate like the 'Changi' brand,' Ms Teo said. 'The success behind Changi also casts piercing limelight onto our local players who are the keys behind the scene in creating the Changi Brand as a premier one.'

The expertise and capabilities of Singapore companies have impressed many foreign airport operators, she said. And these operators have sought 'partnerships and investment opportunities' with them.

Changi Airport International, for instance, early this year clinched an airport management deal with Abu Dhabi International Airport.

'Many of (our) players in the aviation sector are making their presence felt in far-flung markets such as the Middle East, South America, and closer ones such as China, India and South-east Asia,' Ms Teo said.

According to IE Singapore, 10 leading airports in the Middle East are pumping US$23.5 billion into new airports by 2012, providing capacity for 316 million passengers yearly, expanding total airport capacity to 399 million.

'The Middle East is leading the regions in passenger demand which is growing at 17.8 per cent, outpacing the capacity growth,' Ms Teo said. 'In addition, the region's growth in the first half (of 2007) was estimated to be three times the industry average.'

China is pouring in S$28 billion over the next five years to build new airports and upgrading existing ones. What's more, annual passenger growth in the next 20 years is tipped to grow at least at a steady 10.4 per cent yearly. So Beijing is seriously thinking of building a second airport to ease congestion.

In India, where the aviation market is posting growth of up to 10.4 per cent yearly, Ms Teo said that the government has issued a mandate for seven greenfield airports and 35 non-metro airports. It also wants metro airports to be upgraded.

The Vietnamese government has also got into the act, launching an extensive campaign to spruce up and expand airports as part of a larger attempt to build the country into Asia's fourth biggest aviation market by 2025.

'In addition, the Civil Authority of Vietnam aims to achieve its goal of expanding the current 21 airports to 26 by 2015,' Ms Teo said.

But while such developments spell big opportunities for Singapore's aviation companies, she cautioned that they still face serious challenges.

Ms Teo said that many of them still lack a track record in large-scale projects. Shortage of staff and talent would pose another problem. Then, there are the regulatory barriers to overcome when breaking into foreign markets.

'Although there is a growing trend of countries shifting from a conservative aviation policy to a more open and liberal policy, the airport sector in general is still considered as a strategic asset,' Ms Teo said. 'As such, the aviation industry in most regions is still highly regulated and restrictions on foreign participation still prevail.'

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