CHANGI AIRPORT AND PREVIEW OF TERMINAL 3
(By Engr. Russell Calaustro Acacio)
Singapore Changi Airport is a major aviation hub in Asia. She has made its mark in the
Aviation Industry and has grown over the past 26 years into a Multi Award winning airport,
winning more than 240 awards in terms of Service and Security Excellence from
organizations / publications such as International Air Transport Association, Business
Traveller, International Federation of Airline Pilot's Association and many more. One of the
latest award received is “World's Best Airport 2006” from Skytrax (considered the world's
largest and most extensive assessment for airport standards) and was rated as “Five Star
Airport” in the world. To date, there are three (3) terminals in operation and Terminal 3 will
be opening soon.
Comparison of Changi Airport's Terminals
TERMINAL 1
TERMINAL 2
BUDGET
TERMINAL 3
TERMINAL
(Opening Soon)
Handling capacity
21 million
23 million
2.7 milliont to 4.0
22 million
per annum
million
Total No. of
29
35
Nine
28
Aerobridged gates
No. of Aerobriged
5
6
None
8
gates compatible
for airbus A380
No. of Airlines
45 - code share
7 - incl. Philippine
2 - incl. Cebu
1 – Singapore
serving Changi
not included
Airlines
Pacific
Airlines-confirmed
Internet
FREE Internet Terminals Available
Not like other advanced airports that are very crowded and chaotic, Changi is an airport you
don’t want to rush through, but instead, you want to take your time and enjoy the well-
decorated and landscaped surroundings. The place is calm, serene and so intimate.
Terminal 1 – Opened in 1981
Pictures below show the left and right sides of the Departure and Arrival Halls. In this
Terminal, aside from the numerous retail shops, eating outlets and service concessions,
visitors can also find respite in the various landscaped areas, such as the Bamboo Garden,
Heliconia Garden and Cactus Garden. Terminal 1 also offers other facilities, including rooftop
swimming pool, movie theater, Explorer and Nexus Lounges.
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Terminal 2 – Began operations in 1990
Pictures below show the Departure Hall. Likewise, there are numerous retail shops, food /
beverage outlets, service concessions, various landscaped areas such as the Fern Garden,
Sun Flower Garden, Orchid Garden and Koi Ponds. Skyplex entertainment can also be found
here.
[Example pictures of Landscaped areas – Indoor water falls / fountains, Orchid Garden]
[Fern Garden and Koi Ponds]
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Budget Terminal – Opened in 2006
It is an air-conditioned warehouse look but what do you expect? Budget is of course a
budget. No frills, no aerobridges (walk-up the plane), no sleek plasma screens for flight
information (only basic CRT display) and no travellators. Minimalist but cheerful and spick -
and – span. Presently there are two carriers that utilizes the terminal, the Tiger Airways (an
airline based in Singapore) and CEB (Cebu Pacific, an airline based in the Philippines).
Changi Airport has a development policy of always building years ahead of demand. Even as
new terminals are being built, the airport continuously upgrades and expands its existing
terminals to avoid congestion problems (which is common in major airports) to maintain high
service standards.
Terminal 3 Preview - Opening on 09 January 2008
(Photographed by my colleague, Phillip Tan of Singapore)
Some areas are still on its final completion and interior-fit but like any other visitors, I just
can’t wait to see the new features. Terminal 3 features a state-of-the-art roof that has 919
skylights fitted with computer controlled syttem of butterfly-shaped reflectors above them.
This unique roof is designed to maintain an optimum amount of diffused sunlight into the
terminal according to outdoor weather conditions. At night, the skylights will glow with artificial
lighting, these gives a soothing ambience at all time of the day. Terminal 3 also adopts a see-
through layout concept, taking it easier for travelers to orientate themselves.
[Departure and Arrival Halls]
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[Departure Hall and Passenger Holding Area]
[There are 580 Flight Information TV’s scattered around and 198 Free Internet Terminals
which is very important to passengers]
[Cycads and Orchids prior to the Immigration Counters]
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The Green Wall with tall Palm Trees – It is a five storey high vertical garden spanning 300
meters across the main building. The Green Wall is layered with verdant climbing plants and
is interspersed with four cascading waterfalls. Every few minutes, a section of the wall will get
misted. It serves as Eco-art that softens the terminal glass steel construction. It can be
admired from both the Departure and Arrival Halls.
Due to its homely feeling, a lot of people take the airport as a hangout. I also love to go there
to relax and unwind during my time-off. If I travel outbound, I make sure to check-in early in
order to have a chance to spend a few hours in the commercial outlets and lounges. When
time permits, it is common to me and my Family to go there early in the morning on holidays
or weekends to roam around, shop, take photos and eat our breakfast or lunch before we
proceed to other places where we want to spend the rest of the day. It's not only the nice
surroundings that keep us going back but also the numerous food outlets. Since this is a
multi-racial country (Chinese, Malay, Indian, and Eurasian), you can try several local food
cuisine’s offered under one-roof. If I have to choose an airport where to be stranded like Tom
Hanks in the movie “The Terminal ”, my first choice will be Changi Airport.
Of course a visit to the airport is not complete without plane spotting. But whenever I see the
Phillippine flag Carrier departing, the feeling becomes nostalgic.
Philippine Airlines (Airbus A320-200 Series) on a shallow climb.
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