Changi Airport has begun transforming the passenger experience with new contactless and cleaning innovations.

These measures will be rolled out airport-wide in preparation for when air travel in and out of Singapore gradually resumes. Currently

At Changi’s automated kiosks, new proximity sensors are being installed to eliminate the need for travellers to touch the electronic screens when they check in or drop their bags.

Used for the first time in an airport, infrared sensors will enable passengers to select options and key in their travel details by pointing their finger close to the screen without touching it.

For those needing to check in at counters staffed by customer service agents, acrylic screens will provide a safe barrier between passengers and staff.

UPGRADED AUTOMATED IMMIGRATION LANES

The airport’s contactless passenger experience will also extend to immigration. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority has upgraded the automated immigration lanes at Changi Airport with a new biometric system. This uses face and iris recognition technology as the primary means for identity verification, which replaces traditional fingerprint scanning.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) is also doing more with technology to clean and disinfect the airport. Autonomous cleaning robots in the terminals have been upgraded with a nozzle that sprays a light disinfecting mist for added protection on carpets and floors during cleaning.

CAG is also testing the use of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) LEDs to safely disinfect the handrails of escalators and travellators. A trial is being conducted on the use of contactless infrared technology for passenger lifts, where travellers need to hover their finger over the lift button to activate it.

These new contactless and cleaning innovations are an extension of Changi Airport’s previously introduced precautionary measures against the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

Measures already introduced include temperature screening at key points, safe distancing, use of masks by all passengers and staff, increased cleaning and disinfecting, widespread introduction of sensor-activated ‘auto’ hand sanitisers and the use of a long-lasting antimicrobial spray on frequently touched surfaces for added protection against pathogens.

Tan Lye Teck, Executive Vice President for Airport Management, Changi Airport Group’s said: “Passengers will expect airports to deliver the highest standards of safety and hygiene to give them peace of mind during their journey and we will rapidly bring on board new measures as we go into a new normal for air travel.

“The improvements we have announced demonstrate CAG’s continuous commitment to passenger health and a positive airport experience. CAG will work with other aviation partners to instil a high sense of confidence among travellers going through Changi Airport when air travel eventually resumes.”