SATS has opened a simulation training centre for airport ground staff at SATS Airfreight Terminal, and the company plans to open it to students who want aviation careers. Senior Minister of State Sun Xueling launched the SATS Immersive Centre on 15 October 2026.
The centre was built with Singapore Polytechnic and grant support from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS).
What trainees practise
The facility recreates live airport conditions with simulation technology, so new and experienced staff can rehearse tasks before doing them on the ground. Training covers aircraft turnaround coordination, airside safety procedures and cargo handling.
It also runs scenarios that are hard or unsafe to stage in real operations, including unusual and high-risk situations. Sessions can be done alone or as a team, with the aim of building judgement, communication and team decisions alongside technical skill.
Why it matters for job seekers
CAAS expects the Singapore air hub to grow strongly in the coming years, and the regulator has flagged the need for a larger pool of skilled workers to meet rising travel demand.
For students, the useful part is early access. The centre will give those pursuing aviation careers exposure to airport operations and a chance to build job-ready skills before they join the industry.
Singapore Polytechnic’s role points to where that pipeline is likely to begin. For Principal and chief executive Soh Wai Wah, the partnership marks a shift to hands-on training, from VR-based sessions for airside operations to advanced simulation projects that pair applied research with student work.
Part of a wider workforce plan
The centre sits under the SATS Singapore Hub’s Hub Handler of the Future programme, which combines workforce redesign, new operating concepts and new technology. SATS will also use the centre as a centre of excellence for immersive learning across the aviation sector.
Henry Low, chief executive of SATS Singapore Hub, tied the move to operations that are growing more complex, with simulation letting teams make mistakes and build confidence before they work on the ground.
Key details
- What: SATS Immersive Centre, a simulation training facility
- Where: SATS Airfreight Terminal, Changi
- Partners: Singapore Polytechnic, with CAAS grant support
- Who: SATS ground staff, with access planned for aviation students
