The decision to build a new airport at Changi was made in June 1975 following an extensive study by a Special Committee on Airport Development. Phase I development of Changi Airport started in mid-1975 was completed in mid-1981. This phase comprises one 4 km long runway, one Passenger Terminal (capable of processing 10 million passengers a year or 5,000 passengers during the peak-hour), 45 jumbo aircraft parking bays, a 60 hectare Free Trade Zone (having cargo facilities to handle half a million tonnes of Cargo a year initially) together with other supporting facilities. This phase should be able to meet traffic requirements up to 1987.

Singapore Changi Airport was opened for use on 1 July 1981 (1.7.81), only six years after the decision was made to build Singapore's International Airport at Changi. It normally takes about 10 to 15 years to build a large airport. It is interesting to note that the postal code for Changi Airport is also “1781” Planning/construction of the Phase II facilities comprising a second runway, a second Passenger Terminal, another 16 jumbo aircraft parking bays and other supporting facilities is proceeding. Scheduled for completion in 1987, this phase would be able to meet the air traffic requirements up to the early 1990s. Further development of the airport would depend on the traffic requirements prevailing at that time. A set of five stamps and a miniature sheet will be issued on 29 December 1981 to mark the official opening of Changi Airport. The Control Tower and the Passenger Terminal Building are being featured as a common design on each of the five stamps. The logos of the five organisations that played a major role in the successful completion of the airport, namely, the Parks and Recreation Department, Public Works Department, Telecommunications Authority of Singapore, Port of Singapore Authority and the Department of Civil Aviation are depicted in the background of the 10¢, 35¢, 50¢, 75¢ and $1/- stamps respectively.