As a young boy, Lucas Lee (BBA 2015) loved traveling and was initially inspired by his passion to enrol in a Swiss hospitality and tourism university programme. However, upon further research and consultation with friends and family, Lucas realised that a business degree would offer greater flexibility to enter a wider range of industries. He eventually chose NUS Business School for its strong reputation internationally.
Combining his passion with his business management training eventually led him back on the travel path and secured him an internship with Changi Airport Group (CAG). During his time with CAG as an intern, Lucas was involved in the evaluation of the bag tags used in the very first automated bag-drop trials with Jetstar in Terminal 1. The team at CAG were so impressed with Lucas, they offered him a mid-term scholarship and eventually hired him as a full-time Senior Associate.
Despite having limited experience in the industry, Lucas was actively involved in the planning stages and the subsequent operationalisation of a new airport terminal (Terminal 4). It was an empowering experience to work closely with a team of like-minded individuals to open a new airport terminal with an end-to-end biometric passenger flow from check-in to boarding. Till this day, it remains one of his proudest and most memorable projects. With Singapore being one of the busiest aviation hubs, Lucas’ career looked like it was on an upward trajectory.
Lucas Lee (last row, ninth from right) with his Terminal 4 team mates
Flying through the storm
Then COVID-19 struck. The pandemic paralyzed the aviation sector and CAG was tossed into unchartered waters. The company had to pivot its core businesses to remain economically sustainable. Rather than rely on airline traffic to drive its retail activity, the organisation needed to pivot and relook the use of airport space to attract human traffic via other means seek out revenue-generating ideas. Lucas is heavily involved in these new initiatives and they presented him with fresh challenges to overcome with creative ideas.
One such project was the September School Holiday Programme for primary school children at the Changi Experience Studio. This programme offered both children and parents an immersive experience of airport operations management, providing them with a backstage perspective of what it takes to run a world-class airport. Lucas was involved in the programme design and facilitation, which proved to be an enjoyable and satisfying experience.
He is also part of the CAG secretariat supporting the Emerging Stronger Taskforce – Alliance for Action on Enabling Safe and Innovative Visitor Experiences. The Alliance will be piloting a prototype for the upcoming Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) event taking place in end-November 2020.
Lucas Lee standing by CAG’s automated bag-drop during the trial phase
Coping with the present, looking ahead to the future
Lucas’ adjustment to the COVID-19 disruptions has been much like anyone else’s. Having to manage the increasingly blurred lines between work and leisure arising from work from home arrangements, he consciously budgets time to unwind through exercise. Management has also been caring and supportive, constantly checking in on staff and encouraging breaks from work.
On his personal sentiments towards the future of Singapore’s aviation industry, Lucas says, “I am cautiously optimistic for the future of aviation as I still firmly believe that people are naturally curious creatures who want to explore the world. For as long as COVID continues to wreak havoc globally, the road to recovery for Singapore aviation will be long and arduous, especially since we have no domestic market to fall back on. Thankfully, Singapore is blessed with a government that recognises the importance aviation plays in the nation’s economy and is committed to support the sector through these trying times. With the recent advances made in COVID vaccines, I am hopeful that the sector will bounce back in time.”
BBA alumnus Lucas Lee at Changi Airport
To the Class of 2020
To his NUS BIZ juniors graduating this year, Lucas offers these words of advice:
“Don't give up! But at the same time, be reasonable with your salary expectations. Most importantly, look for a job that you can grow in. The skills you pick up now will be the differentiating factor to aid you in excelling in future.”
