28-9-2023 (SINGAPORE) After three and a half years of meticulous engineering and expansion efforts, Changi Airport is set to commence operations at the newly refurbished northern wing of Terminal 2 (T2) on Thursday, September 28.
The revamped terminal, boasting an additional 15,500 square meters of space, is expected to be fully operational by the end of October. Over the coming weeks, a slew of stores and dining establishments will open their doors, providing travelers with an array of choices. The amenities and facilities within T2’s northern wing are now at the disposal of passengers.
Changi Airport Group (CAG), the airport operator, has confirmed that this milestone will see German flag carrier Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines (SIA) operating flights to South-east Asia, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, as well as Swiss International Air Lines, inaugurating their operations from T2’s northern wing on Thursday.
Following suit in October, Air Japan, All Nippon Airways, Etihad Airways, IndiGo, and SIA’s flights to the Maldives and Nepal will increase the total number of airlines operating at T2 from 12 to 16.
Furthermore, CAG has revealed that SIA’s first-class check-in reception and the Sats premier check-in lounge have also begun serving passengers within the terminal.
With the northern wing of T2 reopening, Changi Airport’s overall annual passenger capacity will soar to 90 million travelers. Meanwhile, T2’s handling capacity will escalate from five to 28 million passengers per year.
As of August, Changi Airport’s passenger traffic had rebounded to 87 percent of pre-Covid-19 levels, according to CAG. T2 had to cease its operations for upgrading work in May 2020, amidst a precipitous drop in passenger numbers due to the pandemic.
The southern wing of the terminal gradually reopened in phases throughout 2022. The process began with key touchpoints such as arrival immigration and baggage claim belts in May, and the departure hall was made available in October. This strategic approach was undertaken to bolster Changi’s capacity to cater to a larger number of passengers as international border restrictions began to ease.
The renovated departure hall at T2 now features a Fast (Fast and Seamless Travel) zone, equipped with additional automated check-in kiosks and bag-drop machines. The immigration halls have also been expanded to accommodate more automated immigration lanes.
With these enhancements, T2 becomes Changi’s first terminal to incorporate automated special assistance lanes, enabling automated immigration clearance for passengers using wheelchairs and families with children in both arrival and departure immigration halls.
The terminal’s aging systems and equipment have been upgraded to more efficient models, including a new chiller plant that reduces energy consumption by 30 percent.
To handle a higher volume of bags for wide-body aircraft, two baggage belts in T2’s baggage claim hall have been extended. The refurbished terminal’s baggage-handling system now features enhanced security measures and a fully automated early baggage storage system, capable of accommodating 2,400 bags at any given time. These innovations are expected to significantly increase labor productivity, as per CAG’s assertions.
Natural materials have been incorporated into T2’s wall cladding and flooring, complemented by lush green plant columns, enhancing the terminal’s aesthetics.
The transit area within T2 now features a new bear-themed play area for young children, and a television lounge equipped with a large LED (light-emitting diode) screen, catering to sports enthusiasts and live program aficionados. Charging points and ample seating are also provided within the lounge.
Meanwhile, T2’s public areas have introduced a variety of new food-and-beverage options, including the likes of home-grown dim sum restaurant Swee Choon, Indonesian chain Kenangan Coffee, and bubble tea retailer Chagee.
Tan Lye Teck, the program director for the T2 expansion project at CAG, expressed his gratitude to the airport community for their unwavering support and partnership. He also conveyed the airport operator’s commitment to enhancing the passenger experience through the revitalized terminal.
