Singapore's Changi airport, cited regularly among the world's favorites in passenger surveys, was named best "value for money" international hub by the industry's global body IATA.

Nav Canada took the award as the best value provider of navigation services.

Changi's operator, the Singapore Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS), and the Canadian non-profit corporation both received IATA's annual Eagle awards at the body's annual general meeting.

CAAS was recognized for its low charges to airlines as well as its continuous efforts to keep runway and terminal capacity well ahead of demand.

Nav Canada was "a unique example of a successful conversion of a government bureaucracy into an efficient corporate operation," it said.

Nav Canada, which emerged in 1996 from the conversion of a government-run organization, had reduced rates and charges to airlines in tune with its own productivity improvements, it said. It also used innovative technology to help airlines save fuel and reduce polluting emissions at major airports across Canada, the citation added.

IATA, the Geneva- and Montreal-based International Air Transport Association, comprises 274 of the world's airlines.