Ground breaking ceremony of Terminal 5 of Changi Airport in Singapore (Photo: Lawrence Wong social media handle)
Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5) in Singapore broke ground last week, with Prime Minister of Singapore and Minister of Finance Lawrence Wong leading the ceremonies. The terminal, which is bigger than the existing four terminals at the airport, is seen to strengthen Changi Airport’s position as a leading air hub.
The Changi Airport Group says in a press statement that T5 will expand Changi’s current capacity by more than 50 pc and serve about 50 million more passengers annually. This is amid the rising trajectory in air travel with the bulk of this growth seen happening in the Asia-Pacific region. The first phase is expected to open in 2030.
The statement adds that in terms of land area, T5 will be as big as all the terminals, T1 to T4, combined. T5 is located in Changi East, a 1,080-hectare development, which also includes the Changi East Industrial Zone (CEIZ), and the Changi East Urban District (CEUD). The CEIZ is aimed at augmenting Singapore’s position as a leading aircraft maintenance and integrated logistics and air cargo hub in the region, while the CEUD will serve as a vibrant business and lifestyle destination located at the doorstep of T5, the Changi Airport Group said.
The Changi aviation ecosystem currently contributes 5 pc to Singapore’s GDP. T5 will be the new home for Singapore Airlines Group, consolidating flights currently split across the three terminals of Changi Airport, reducing transit and transfer time for passengers. There will also be room for other air carriers to expand their operations at T5 and Changi’s other terminals.
Terminal 5 will strengthen Singapore’s position as a major aviation hub (Photo: Lawrence Wong social media handle)
According to the statement, for the first time, T5 will see Changi Airport house a ground transportation centre, bringing together train, bus, taxi and other transport services. It will enhance Changi’s connectivity to the rest of Singapore, making the airport accessible not just for travel, but also as a destination for local residents to enjoy. Plans are in progress to extend both the Thomson-East Coast Line and the Cross Island Line to T5, to connect it to the city centre and other major hubs.
T5 also offers the possibility of enhanced air and sea connectivity – for more seamless passenger travel, including convenient connections to neighboring destinations via ferry services.
T5 will see extensive automation of both passenger-facing processes and back-end functions, powered by innovative technologies being trialed today for wider implementation by the time T5 opens. This will enable the airport to operate technologies at scale in a sustainable manner, with reduced reliance on manpower.
According to the statement, in addition, T5 will be a Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy building, which is more energy-efficient. It will be powered by more clean energy to reduce the carbon footprint of Changi Airport, and be equipped with building management systems that feature innovative and efficient systems design. The terminal’s rooftop solar system, which would be one of the largest in Singapore, can potentially generate enough energy to power up about 20,000 4-room apartments for a year.
“Our vision is for T5 to be mega yet cosy, a terminal that embraces the Changi DNA, delivering a personalised, stress free and positively surprising airport experience. As a new gateway to Singapore, T5 offers new possibilities and will bring new surprises. It will offer yet another vibrant space for families, friends and the airport community to gather and bond,” says Yam Kum Weng, Chief Executive Officer, Changi Airport Group.
Inspired by Singapore’s unique blend of nature and city, T5’s design concept is characterized by a unique collection of overlapping curved roofs with varying heights. The ‘roof leaves’ break the mega terminal building into smaller spaces that are more human scale. Combined with natural light and landscaping at appropriate spaces, the terminal will have the familiar cosy, yet uplifting, feel that Changi is known for.
To make it easier for passengers to get around the terminal, travellators as well as an automated people mover (APM) system similar to the Skytrain will reduce walking distances. The walking distances in T5 will be comparable to Changi’s current terminals. The APM network will also link T5 to Terminal 2, facilitating seamless transfers to the other terminals. T5 is also designed to be intuitive for wayfinding, with paths that lead passengers either to the boarding gates or the APM station, where trains will take them to their gates. Passengers will not need to rely heavily on signage to find their way around the terminal.
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