Changi Travel Services restructures, affected staff to receive severance and retraining support
Changi Travel Services (CTS), a subsidiary of Changi Airport Group, announced on August 21 that it will retrench 30 employees as part of a restructuring exercise to adapt to shifting market conditions.
Layoffs and Compensation
CTS confirmed that all affected staff will receive a severance package equivalent to four weeks of pay per year of service, with no minimum service period required. The company said the decision was made “after careful consideration” to strengthen its long-term position and ensure sustainable growth.
Support for Displaced Workers
A spokesperson added that CTS will assist employees in finding alternative roles, including exploring vacancies at Changi Airport and beyond. While details of the affected business segments were not disclosed, the firm emphasised its commitment to supporting staff through the transition.
Union Response and Assistance
Although CTS is not unionised, Azman Osman, president of the Attractions, Resorts & Entertainment Union (AREU), said that NTUC’s affiliated unions will extend help to union members affected by the retrenchment. This includes linking them to the Employment and Employability Institute (e2i) for job matching and career support.
Training and Skills Upgrading
Eligible union members can also access the Union Training Assistance Programme, which helps offset training costs for skills upgrading. Beyond union-linked workers, Singaporeans and permanent residents can tap e2i’s wider services, including career coaching and advisory programmes.
Government Employment Schemes
Singaporeans affected by the retrenchment may also benefit from the SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme. The initiative provides temporary financial assistance of up to S$6,000 (about IDR 75 million) for a period of six months, provided individuals participate in job search activities organised by e2i. The scheme is designed to help workers secure roles that better match their skills and experiences.
Call for Affected Workers to Seek Help
Azman encouraged displaced workers to reach out for assistance, including via AREU’s support channels at areu@ntuc.org.sg
. He stressed that retrenchment, while difficult, can be an opportunity for employees to reskill and reposition themselves in a changing market.
The retrenchment at CTS highlights how shifting market conditions continue to reshape Singapore’s travel services sector. For both Singaporeans and regional workers, the case underscores the importance of support systems—from unions to government schemes—in helping displaced employees transition towards new opportunities.
Sources: The Business Times (2025) , Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Changi Travel Services, Retrenchment Singapore, Job Cuts, Market Shifts, Severance Package, NTUC Support
