CHANGI AIRPORT / Terminal 1 & 2, Aviation News

[eX.A.K.R.]

I guess the original Terminal 4 was supposed to be between runways 2 and 3, but growing demand for budget travel meant that they changed plans a bit, decided to build a souped-up budget terminal in place of the original, and call it Terminal 4.

That's my guess, anyway.

[Brandonn]

Any chance that the skytrain from any of the existing terminals will be linked to T4; or the ERL running through T4?

[ddes]

Actually, it should be noted that the bulk of LCC operations by passenger numbers were, and still is carried by the low-cost carriers, namely AirAsia and Jetstar who've chosen to remain in Terminal 1 to be closer integrated to the full-service operators they've aligned themselves with or rely on for feeding of passengers. Hence, it is unlikely they will move.

However, I hope the new terminal will be built with long-haul low-fare carriers in consideration (although I remain skeptical in the model, it has been a mixed bag, and odds are not in its favour).

[skystopper]

No aerobridge again? So the new Terminal 4 might be a replica of a larger Budget Terminal, just that it will perhaps look more decent? I think they should seriously reconsider it again to avoid a demoliation of the terminal in future.
And I wonder if the Skytrain will be extended to Terminal 4. This terminal wasn't exactly the one that they planned back then, so plans might change too?

[ddes]

Actually, the Skytrain expansion is just about right. Provisions to T4 for a skytrain station are located at the southern part of T2 (near Starbucks), so the route would just continue down the road.

From this, I gather that rather than spreading the terminals out, Changi Airport is trying to keep as much expansion as possible between the two existing runways. It's understandable, given that Heathrow handles over 65 million passengers in a space roughly the same size as Changi.

[zobbified]

This is not much of a surprise. There has been chatter of the BT going since 2011Q3.

While there won't be aerobridges for T4, I hope they do make provision for them to be installed in the future.

OT: Is there a need to copy and paste entire articles? See -> General reminder about quoting content

[horlick97]

Notwithstanding the relatively recent opening of T3 and the upgrading of T2 and T1, what else are needed to further improve Changi? I hope when they plan the T4 (new budget terminal), they will take the opportunity and exercise the discipline to review and review things to continously streamline various things.

Some of these include:
- Access roads and recirculation to the various terminals. it is not just the availability of access roads, but also the optimisation of them.
- Carparks, especially T1,
- People Movers connectivity to all the terminals, incl the new T4.

With regard to the new T4, reading from what is in the public domain, I am concerned that there do not seem to be clear strategic articulation of what the new budget terminal or LCC mean. It seem rather piece-meal, followers (rather than providing the thought leadership) kind of thinking, like:
- 16mil capacity? Hello, how big is the new KLIA2?
- No aerobridges...emm....still thinking along the same line as a decade ago when budget terminals means being spartan and 'don't expect quality/experience'?
- Connections to other terminals? No commitment yet?

...my concerns, question marks........

[zobbified]

Can't really compare the future T4 to KLIA2 even though both are BT/LCCT replacements. The current capacity of KUL is 40M (70M with KLIA2). Whereas for SIN it's 73M (82M with T4). In 2011, SIN handled 46.5M while KUL handled 37.7M. From the figures, KUL is nearing maximum capacity with its current infrastructure and SIN still has plenty of buffer. Don't forget the primary users of T4 will be no different from the ones currently using the BT. T4 will most likely be designed with provisions for future expansion.

[sandstorm6299]

So from my understanding, and from the limited news on it, this is really Budget Terminal+? It does seem like an awfully good idea to refurbish BT since it was a cut and paste job there anyway - not a bad one though. Agree with horlick on the road system. The interface with the ECP is extremely horribad. However, I don't see the Skytrain coming in to server BT+. The distance is just too long and the construction cost won't be justified; shuttle buses can do the job fine.

Nothing wrong with no aerobridges. They could have buses to transfer passengers from the terminal to the aprons to increase capacity, given the lack of space.

[Vrooms]

Terminal 1 ''trees''
image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raura/6...7629157849302/

image hosted on flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/raura/6...57629157849302

[zobbified]

Recap of what was highlighted in Parliament yesterday with regard to Changi's future.

The Ministry of Transport will set up a new committee that will look into the future development of Changi Airport. The Changi 2036 Steering Committee will comprise members from eight government agencies.

• T5
• Opening runway 02R/20L to civilian use
• Redevelopment of a portion of Car Park 1 to increase handling capacity of T1
• Improved connections from Changi

[circleline4]

So basically 'T4' was just the name given to the upgraded Budget Terminal. The actual on-going planned mega terminal would probably be located towards the air base side with runway 3 operational for commercial use. I thought they were just gonna pin all their hopes on the upgraded terminal sitting between 02L and 02C, with expansions southwards until it is maxed out. Thank goodness that isn't the case.

[y2koh]

But wow, 2036? By then I'm already 57 :/

[zobbified]

I have a feeling the 3rd runway will be connected to the main facility within the next 5 years. Will probably be used like AMS's Polderbaan or FRA's 4th runway. One heck of a long taxi.

[don diego 2000]

Originally Posted by y2koh

But wow, 2036? By then I'm already 57 :/

Not even in your silver and golden years yet

And nowadays 55+ are probably the most numerous group of travelers

[Vrooms]

I wonder when the plans for T1's expansion will be carried out...

[horlick97]

When T5 is completed, will the existing T1 to T4 still be around? Looks like there will be. With so many terminals, will there is sub-optimality in terms of operational efficiencies? Which are the major airports that have 5 distinct terminals? What are their experiences?

[don diego 2000]

JFK, CDG, LHR... all have at least 5 terminals. They are clearly not models of operational efficiency though.

This is probably due to their long history and the lack of proper planning. Sometimes although because of the poor overall design (I'm especially thinking about CDG).

[eX.A.K.R.]

Originally Posted by y2koh

But wow, 2036? By then I'm already 57 :/

Damn, you are old. I will be 49 by then.

[zobbified]

Originally Posted by horlick97

When T5 is completed, will the existing T1 to T4 still be around? Looks like there will be. With so many terminals, will there is sub-optimality in terms of operational efficiencies? Which are the major airports that have 5 distinct terminals? What are their experiences?

The main issue for Changi is the alliances are split across terminals rather than centralised. So you have members for all 3 of the major airline alliances operating out from different terminals. SQ being forced to operate out of 2 different terminals is more of an inconvenience to a certain extent. Doesn't really matter much to flight operations. Moreover, Changi has a rather efficient baggage transfer system so getting bags across terminals is a non issue. The PMS do minimize the amount of walking needed.

Ideally it will be nice to have SQ operating out of T3, OW+JQ/3K operating out of T1, ST/MI + non affiliated airlines out of T2 and LCCs out of T4.

Take LHR, within the next 5 years airlines will be located mostly by alliances. IIRC, T1 will be Star (and possibly Virgin with BMI being extinct), T3 will be OW and some of BA's far east flights, T4 will be ST and random and T5 will be BA. Other major airports have one mega checkin area and multiple concourses. This is no different from having multiple terminals other than one common check in area.

Mega terminals are nice architecture marvels but there must be a limit on the size of the terminal. HKG & BKK are just right in size. Not a fan of PEK as it involves a lot of walking and waiting, same with DXB as well.