[UPDATED] Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 fully reopened on 1 November, delivering a spate of commercial offerings from tenants including Lotte Duty Free.

The relaunch of T2 brings all four of Changi Airport’s terminals back into operation, as the airport eyes a recovery to pre-Covid traveller numbers in 2024.

Visitors to T2, which adds five million passengers per annum to the airport’s handling capacity (90 million), will discover the South Korean powerhouse travel retailer’s imposing two-storey wines & spirits store.

This boasts a range of fine liquor, a first-in-airport robot bartender called Toni, and a 30-metre wrap-around LED screen above the bar that plays scenes of the moon reflected in a lake in a homage to Tang dynasty poet Li Bai’s famous work, ‘Drinking Alone Under the Moon’.

Whisky sampling opportunities

Lotte Duty Free Wines & Spirits offers a luxurious lounge on the upper level, known as the Forest of Li Bai.

Here, visitors can sample a range of 18 whiskies from a wall of dispensers, take photos with famous K-Pop stars in the smart selfie mirror and gaze at the vivid colours of the LED video ceiling.

“Lotte Duty Free’s Changi Airport branch has completed construction in 17 areas now, including the T2 Central store, which began operations on 28 September, and is undergoing additional construction in two areas,” a Lotte Duty Free spokesperson confirmed to TRBusiness. “After completion, the entire district’s (total 19 areas) grand opening will be held.

“In particular, T2 Central stores have strengthened the shopping experience of travellers by combining IT and digital devices such as robotic bartenders, smart mirrors, and dispensers. Travellers can conveniently taste various liquor products sold by Lotte Duty Free, so they can expect a pleasant experience.”

As reported, Lotte Duty Free previously told TRBusiness that operations at T2 were expected to commence this month, with shop openings at the T2 North Wing continuing into 2024.

Travellers looking to indulge in some retail therapy before their flights can peruse a number of shops at the departure hall, including Lynk Fragrances, Funko and Eu Yan Sang.

In the transit area, The Shilla Duty Free’s perfumes & cosmetics offer joins TWG Tea and luxury offers from the likes of Gucci, Hugo Boss, Prada, Saint Laurent, Prada and others.

The refreshed terminal boasts a plethora of other features, including culinary hotspots, an eye-catching digital waterfall with accented lighting and ‘Rhythms of Nature’ show.

At 14 metres high and 17 metres wide, the ‘Wonderfall’ digital waterfall comprises an LED wall with 892 flat and flexi-curved tiles that flow seamlessly along the vertical green wall and stucco façade of T2.

The Dreamscape garden echoes the tropical sounds of Singapore, with a floating walkway ascended above ponds filled with colourful cichlids and fish.

The architectural language plays on natural elements of minerals, water and luscious greenery, with a carpet designed to mimic the topography that contrasts with clouds dancing on the ceiling overhead and glass-blown chandeliers acting to draw the gaze.

More than 20,000 plants selected from 100 species, including ferns and shrubs not commonly found in Singapore, also feature prominently.

Elsewhere, there are entertainment areas for children, new washrooms, and a split-flap display board providing flight information.

The T2 expansion project began in January 2020, two months prior to Singapore closing its borders.

It has added more than 21,000sq m to the terminal building to support additional infrastructure, new systems, and more retail offerings.

Sixteen airlines at T2

A central common-use Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) zone has been implemented, almost doubling  the number of automated check-in kiosks and bag drop machines.

The immigration halls have been extended to support additional automated immigration lanes to allow more passengers to be served at any time.

Sixteen airlines (Air India, Air India Express, Air Japan, Air Macau, All Nippon Airways, Etihad, Ethiopian Airlines, Firefly, Indigo, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Sichuan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, United Airlines) are operating from T2, which has handled close to 10m passengers since May 2022 when the terminal’s arrivals south wing was reopened.

For the month of September 2023, passenger traffic at Changi Airport was about 90% of pre-Covid levels.

Mr Tan Lye Teck, CAG’s Programme Director for the Terminal 2 Expansion Project, said: “Changi Airport has always been pushing the boundaries of airport service and innovation, while staying ahead of the latest trends in digital as well as retail and dining offerings.

“This expansion project augments Changi’s handling capacity, allowing us to serve more passengers in the years ahead. We hope T2 will set a new benchmark for customer service and delight among airports.  And we hope every user will find great pleasure and discover wonder whenever they travel through T2.”

All images courtesy of Changi Airport Group.

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