Changi Airport Group says its new T4 will deliver more passenger-friendly facilities and attractive commercial offerings which passengers were seeking in the Budget Terminal.

CAG announced yesterday that it is building a new S$600m ($485m) 16m-capacity 160,000sq m Terminal 4 facility on the site of the Budget Terminal, which closed last September. When it opens in 2017 it is aimed at helping to maintain its global aviation hub status, while absorbing its growing full service and low cost passenger services and traffic.

The airports company said in a statement that it will begin talks with selected airport partners and members of the airline community operating at Changi in the next few weeks on the two-storey 25-metre high T4 building and airfield enhancement plans, which aim to raise Changi’s total capacity to 82m a year [CAG says as an aside that there are also plans to raise T1’s capacity by 3m-Ed].

The new terminal will be built on the old Budget Terminal site, comprising a two-storey building with a height of 25 metres and a gross floor area of about 160,000 square metres.

EMPHASIS ON EFFICIENCY

CAG says that T4 will be primarily designed to handle narrow body aircraft and incorporate quick turnaround capability, with aerobridges incorporated into the terminal design. The airside transfer of passengers and baggage between T4 and the other terminals will also be provided for.

CAG said: “In line with the trend of self-service options at airports around the world, T4 will provide more kiosks for self check-in, self bag-tagging and self bag-drops. As use of these options increases, airlines and their ground-handling agents will be able to reduce processing times and staffing required for each flight, improving productivity.

“The streamlining of processes at key touch points including check-in, immigration and security through the use of technology and fast and seamless travel initiatives is being explored to make T4 more user friendly to passengers. Unlike at the former Budget Terminal, baggage sortation at T4 will be fully automated, again to reduce reliance on scarce manpower. The baggage handling system will also be equipped with the latest technology to enable heavy and odd-sized bags to be handled with ease even by older workers.”

Alongside the development of T4, major airfield works will also be undertaken at Changi Airport to increase the number of aircraft parking stands to support the needs of all airlines operating at Changi. A 38-hectare land plot south of Terminal 3, housing the airport nursery as well as a reservoir will be converted into an aircraft parking area to house 17 narrow-body and nine wide-body aircraft stands.

US$549M SUPPORTING INFRASTRUCTURE COST

Including new aircraft stands to be constructed at the T4 site, the number of parking stands at Changi Airport will be increased by 24% to more than 180. CAG adds that road improvements are also planned to smooth traffic flows to and from the terminal. A multi-storey car park with spaces for 1,200 vehicles will also be constructed adjacent to the terminal.

An additional S$680m ($549m) will be required for the construction of these additional parking stands and supporting airfield infrastructure, security requirements, specialised airport systems, ancillary buildings, and road and drainage works.

CAG says it will release more details of T4’s design in due course. Lee Seow Hiang, CAG’s CEO said: “Throughout its history, Changi Airport has always stayed ahead of its capacity needs. This approach has underpinned Changi’s success as an air hub – an airport that passengers love and airlines appreciate.

“Along with the measures announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to improve runway capacity, our infrastructure investments over the next four to five years lay the groundwork for us to continue delivering a great Changi Experience and attracting more airlines to fly to Changi Airport. We are excited about these projects and look forward to their successful completion with the support of our many partners.”

[Top image: Changi Airport Terminal 3 kerbside].