Follow Singapore Immigration and Life in Singapore: Singapore Changi Airport's Terminal 4 officially broke ground on the 5th, with the latest design details focusing on advanced automated facilities to provide travelers with a fast and seamless travel experience.
These automated facilities will be located at check-in, baggage drop, immigration checkpoints, and boarding gates. Self-service facilities will operate around the clock, especially during peak times, allowing travelers to enjoy the convenience of quick check-in.
Singapore's Minister of Transport, Khaw Boon Wan, stated at the groundbreaking ceremony that the self-service options in Terminal 4 will effectively enhance productivity and improve customer experience. "From check-in to boarding, travelers will experience convenience without having to wait long for us to serve them, and there will always be someone available to provide guidance when they need help, which is what we strive for," he said.
Changi Airport also mentioned that providing more self-service options is a global trend, and in light of Singapore's increasingly tight labor market, especially in ground handling and security, implementing these measures is even more necessary.
Khaw noted that the aviation industry in the Asia-Pacific region is developing rapidly. According to the International Airports Council, passenger traffic in this region is expected to surge from 1.6 billion in 2011 to 5 billion by 2031, making it the largest aviation market in the world. The Council also predicts that most international traffic in the Asia-Pacific region will come from within the region, primarily benefiting from the growth of the Chinese and Indian markets, as well as closer economic ties between Asian countries.
Changi Airport needs to enhance its appeal to attract more airlines and establish more frequent connections with more cities. "Without these, airlines will seek other airports to grow their business, and Changi Airport will lose its connection to the world, jeopardizing its status as an Asian aviation hub," Khaw said.
Terminal 4 is being built on the foundation of Changi Airport's original budget terminal and is scheduled to be completed in 2017. This terminal is planned to accommodate an annual passenger flow of 16 million, bringing Changi Airport's total annual capacity to 82 million once completed.
Currently, Singapore's Changi Airport includes three passenger terminals and two runways, with an annual capacity of 66 million passengers, and last year's actual passenger flow was 51.2 million. Singapore has previously announced plans to build a fifth terminal within the next ten years, which will have an annual throughput capacity of 135 million passengers.
