Airport Worker Wins Award for Helping Stranded Passengers

An act of kindness at Changi Airport has earned Rowena Aranton, a security operations executive, the prestigious Service Personality of the Year award. The 46-year-old went beyond her duty when she assisted three Filipino passengers who missed their connecting flight and had nowhere to stay.

The passengers—a woman, her child, and a friend—arrived from Manila but were unaware they needed to collect their baggage and check in again for their flight to Shanghai. By the time they realized, they had missed their flight and were stranded for the night. Understanding their distress and financial constraints, Aranton did what few would—she invited them to stay at her home.

Aranton’s generosity didn’t stop there. She helped them navigate their next steps, even accommodating the friend for an extra three days when a visa issue delayed her journey to London. Her warmth and selflessness were recognized at Changi Airport’s 30th Annual Airport Celebration, where she was among 32 honorees.

The ceremony also introduced two new awards: Outstanding Airside Staff of the Year and Outstanding Airside Team of the Year. Engineering supervisor Mohammed Rais Ali was honored for his swift action in clearing an Air China aircraft after an emergency landing due to an engine fire. His leadership minimized runway downtime and ensured smooth operations.

The Outstanding Airside Team of the Year award was shared among three aviation teams for their dedication to maintaining airside safety and efficiency.

Additionally, the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) was named Service Partner of the Year for introducing automated immigration clearance, allowing seamless, passport-free travel across all Changi Airport terminals.

These recognitions highlight the commitment of aviation professionals to ensuring passenger safety, convenience, and extraordinary service.

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