Singapore: Changi & Aviation

[nazrey]

This a nice propose terminal project .
Hope to see Changi is a bigger

[huaiwei]

The picture dosent seem to work.......

[Cliff]

[huaiwei]

Latest News | Updated Dec 17, 10.00 pm (Singapore time)

SINGAPORE -- Budget airlines may be able to operate out of Changi Airport within 18 months using a new no-frills terminal, Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong said on Wednesday. In what would be a major boost for budget carriers who have so far been reluctant to use Changi because of the high operating costs, Mr Yeo said fees at such a terminal could be 20 to 30 per cent less.

He said the Government intended to set up a new no-frills terminal to ensure Singapore did not miss out on the benefits of the fast-growing budget airline industry in Asia.

'Singapore will spare no effort to ensure that we remain the premier air hub in this region,' he said at a media function at Changi. We will continue to build on our fundamentals to ensure Changi Airport remains the preferred hub of choice for full-service carriers. But we also have to be nimble and adopt a complete mindset change to ensure that we can cater to the development and growth of low-cost carriers in this region.'

Low-cost Malaysian carrier AirAsia's efforts to establish a Kuala Lumpur-Singapore route had previously been frustrated because the Government had refused to give it cheaper operating fees at Changi.

Mr Yeo said it made sense to have a low-cost terminal operate out of Changi, rather than establish new facilities at Seletar Airport since the infrastructure is already provided for. He added that it would improve connectivity at Changi as passengers from Europe can transfer from their flights directly to the low-cost regional airlines.

The minister said he had instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore to explore what it could do to service the growing low-cost airline industry in Asia, and a decision on the new terminal would be made within a few months. The terminal, which would have few of the luxuries passengers now experienced at Changi airport, could be operating within 18 to 20 months, he said.

Citing his own experience with low-cost terminals in the United Kingdom, Mr Yeo said he expected the new terminal to have similar 'physical attributes as some of our bus terminals'. He described the prospective facilities as 'very, very basic' and warned passengers would have to take their own umbrellas in case it rained when they got off the plane to walk to the terminal.
But he stressed that the new terminal will be 'equally efficient and clean'.

Last week, Singapore Airlines announced it intended to join the budget airline industry by setting up Tiger Airways with three partners to fly from the city-state next year. -- AFP

[huaiwei]

Singapore may build separate terminal for budget airline travellers

By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : When you fly, it is full service or budget. Soon airport terminals at Changi may be classified the same way. The airport is looking to cash in on the growing popularity of budget airlines and might give them their own home.

Budget airlines have been one of the hottest aviation developments in recent months. But their bugbear has been cost, cost and cost. Among them are expensive airports and high passenger taxes that eat into the price of their bargain tickets.

And Changi, it appears, has been listening. Mr Yeo Cheow Tong, Minister for Transport, said: "It will be a problem for us if we cannot cater for them. We do not know if they will be a big factor in the region, but we cannot take the risk."

The plan is to look into building a low-cost terminal for such budget passengers. For passengers who want to use budget airlines, the good news is they do not have to go any further than Changi. The difference is it will be a smaller terminal with fewer services, located in any one of the empty spaces beside Terminal Two.

Mr Yeo said: "What I have learnt is that low-cost carriers want the bare minimum. They do not want the expensive aerobridge, they do not want aircon. If we want Singapore to benefit from the appearance of low-cost airlines in the region, then we must be able to serve specific needs.....looking into possibility of building low-cost terminal at Changi, more akin to a bus terminal."

Singapore could be looking at something like a low-cost building with no carpeting, minimal seating, limited services, no air-conditioning, and no aerobridge - come rain or shine - to bring them from the terminal to the plane.

But the savings for budget airlines and passengers will be there. Mr Yeo said: "This will result in lower airport tax definitely.....at the moment, it is $21. It will probably be lower by 20 to 30 percent."

But why build it at Changi? Mr Yeo said this was because Changi already has the necessary infrastructure such as runways and connectivity - where a passenger from Europe, for example, could transfer to a low-cost airline at Changi. If this happens, plans to lengthen Seletar's runways will also be reconsidered.

Mr Yeo said if the green light is given, the new terminal could be ready within 18 to 20 months. And it will cost a fraction of Terminal Three's S$1.75 billion price tag.

Mr Yeo also spoke about the latest SARS case in Taiwan. "As you know, we are maintaining the temperature screening. What we are going to do now is also screen at the aerobridge, the planes that are arriving from Taiwan. So all passenger from Taiwan will be screen at the aerobridge before they step into the terminal," he said. - CNA

[huaiwei]

Budget carrier ValuAir hopes low-cost terminal will not be second class

By Bridgette See, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Changi Airport launched a new game show and a worldwide children's art contest on Wednesday to celebrate 100 years of aviation. Winners will be flown to Singapore and given $1,000 worth of shopping vouchers. The move is to entice more travellers to Changi which has been facing increasing competition from regional airports.

Such promotions helped to attract 29 million passengers to Changi last year. Shops, restaurants, Internet access and free movies - these are the happy distractions for travellers at Changi Airport.

But if the idea of a budget carrier terminal takes off, then these frills may be the first to go. "There are always long layovers here and I wouldn't want to be doing it in a budget transit terminal personally." "Some people want fancy terminals and fancy planes, and some people just wanna look at the price, and if the price is right, they choose that one." "I don't mind putting up with less amenities if I can save US$50 to US$75 on an air ticket."

Budget carriers ValuAir and Tiger Airways are both pleased with the news of a dedicated terminal. They hope that the terminal would allow fast turnarounds for their flights.

Mr Jimmy Lau, Director of ValuAir, said: "We have to have a facility to cater to this segment of the business but that again does not mean we have to go all the way low-class. Changi Airport is still a very major airhub, you really do not want to build a village airport next to a gleaming Terminal One, Two, or Three in the future - making sure that processes of baggage handling, check-in, securty and all the downstream workflow is still maintained at a high standard." - CNA

[heirloom]

omigod?! i never thought of aerobridges as luxuries. and no air-con= no passengers. besides, the bus terminals underconstruction from the toa payoh one onwards will have air conditioning. and alot of shops.

[RafflesCity]

I see this as enhancing traffic at Changi. A wise move to build on your strengths

It should also increase traffic on the MRT to the airport.

@heirloom. Aerobridges are not luxuries. Try Vienna Airport at 5 am! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

[huaiwei]

Yeah....but budget airlines dunt want to use aerobridges coz it costs alot to them....

I am, however, quite surprised by the lack of airconditioning.....at least give us the aircon, but everything else can go out the window.

[Cliff]

No aircon??!!!
That is so unlike the wonderfull Singapore that we ooo so love.

[huaiwei]

Here's the full report:

DEC 18, 2003

No-frills terminal could be on the way

Facility could be built at Changi Airport by 2005 to cater to budget airlines that need to keep operating costs low

By David Boey

A NEW 'no-frills' airline passenger terminal could be built at Changi Airport by 2005 for the growing number of budget carriers taking off in the region. It is likely to look more like a bus interchange, and have an austere design because low-cost airlines want to keep their operating costs low.

This sudden announcement came last night on the 100th anniversary of aviation, when Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong officiated at an airport function. Once the go-ahead is given, the standalone terminal should be up and running in 2005, a year before Terminal 3 is due to start operations. Its opening will coincide with the completion of a $240 million effort to upgrade Terminal 2, which will be 15 years old by then.

The estimated five million passengers the budget terminal can service each year will pay an airport tax of $12, lower than the $15 Changi passengers pay. But all passengers will still pay an additional $6 security surcharge. As luxuries in the budget facility will be slashed to a minimum, Mr Yeo said it should cost 'a fraction' to build compared to the $1 billion construction bill for T3.

'There's no aerobridge,' he said. 'Passengers walk in the open from the plane to the terminal. If it rains, they make a run for it. There'll be minimal carpeting - if at all. You're not going to have very high ceilings and the air-conditioning will only be in places where it's necessary.'

Mr Yeo said the idea was hatched after he visited terminals for low-cost airlines at Stansted and Luton airports in Britain, which serve European budget airlines, easyJet and Ryanair. If the plan takes off, a $100 million proposal unveiled just last month to lengthen Seletar Airport's runway and upgrade its facilities will be scrapped.

The speed with which the Government is moving is a reflection of the importance it places on Changi remaining the premier aviation hub in the region. The new terminal will allow Changi to serve full service airlines as well as budget carriers that want to keep operating costs low to maintain cheap airfares.

Low-cost airlines are putting increasing pressure on the region's air travel industry to up its game. Malaysia's AirAsia started Johor Baru-to-Kuala Lumpur flights in October from Johor's Senai Airport. Its maiden flight took off amid a media blitz and claims that Changi's passenger tax should be waived or reduced before the budget carrier would use the airport. Its chief executive officer, Mr Tony Fernandes, could not be reached for comment last night.

Barely a month after AirAsia took off, Indonesia-based Lion Air made its first flight to Changi's T1. Its head of public relations, Mr Hasyim Arsal, welcomed the choice of a low-cost facility. Speaking from Jakarta, he said: 'It would be very good for us because there's a lower-cost alternative. But if what we're using now is no problem, we will be happy to continue using the present terminal.'

Singapore-based budget airline Valuair is likely to start flying in May next year. One of its directors, Mr Jimmy Lau, hopes that efforts to create a no-frills building would not go overboard. He said: 'I certainly would not like to see a building that looks second class... I'm sure we will be able to build something that looks nice, but certainly we don't need to cut so many corners.'

It is understood that Tiger Airways, an offshoot of Singapore Airlines, has indicated interest in using the terminal.

Mr Yeo noted that catering to this new form of air travel requires a mindset change on the part of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, just as it does for the travelling public used to Changi's high standards.

Frequent flier Mike Yeo, 27, an aeronautical engineer, hopes that the terminal would not invoke images of 'banana republic airports in the 1950s with bored customs officers and ceiling fans turning lazily'. 'But I won't mind the no-frills terminal because as long as there are planes to get me where I want and get back safely, it's fine with me.'

[huaiwei]

Finally.....a rendering!

Terminal 2 Upgrading

Changi Airport is upgrading again! This time, Terminal 2 will be undergoing an entire facelift with the aim of better serving air travellers. This will be done in 3 ways. First, any deficiency and weakness in the existing building design are identified and rectified. Second, the transit area will be enlarged to increase Terminal 2's handling capacity. Third, more shops and F & B options will be made available to airport users with better space planning.

With the facelift, airport users can expect significant enhancements to Terminal 2 functional areas. There will be an extended canopy at the departure kerbside to provide shelter against inclement weather, the departure check-in hall and arrival immigration hall will be revamped with posh architectural finishes as well as designer landscape to make them more welcoming and friendly. Airport users will also find that the intelligent use of natural lights and removal of low ceiling areas result in a departure check-in hall with better clarity and easier way-finding. For the avid shoppers, more shops with interesting shop fronts will add to their shopping pleasure within the transit area. Food lovers will be delighted to find more F & B options in both the public and transit area.


New Look Departure Kerbside

[glenj]

Business Times - 18 Dec 2003


Govt may build terminal for budget airlines

Decision in next one or two months, construction will take 18-20 months

By DANIEL BUENAS
AND VEN SREENIVASAN

(SINGAPORE) Minister for Transport Yeo Cheow Tong yesterday announced a piece of good news for both low-cost carriers and budget-conscious travellers - the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is looking into the feasibility of building a new low-cost terminal specifically to cater to budget airlines.

Speaking at the launch of a children's art contest to celebrate 100 years of powered flight at Changi Airport, Mr Yeo said the entry of low-cost carriers in the region had prompted the government to reconsider traditional ways of providing services and facilities to carriers.

He also said the new terminal would be as low-frills as the airlines it will be designed to serve, and would be more akin to bus terminals than traditional airport terminals.

'It will be very similar to what we see in other countries, in the UK and the US, where the newly-developed facilities for the low-cost carriers are very basic,' said Mr Yeo. 'There's no aerobridge, the passengers walk in the open from the plane to the terminal and if it's raining they make a run for it.'

He added that if the terminal is built, it will have minimal or no carpeting, low ceilings and only partial air-conditioning.

'We're going to keep it very basic because that is what the airlines have told us. That is all they want, and that's all they're prepared for,' he said.

The decision to build the terminal will be made in the next one or two months, and the facility would take between 18 and 20 months to build. The most likely location of the new terminal would be at the far end of Terminal 2.

Due to the comparatively lower construction costs, passengers can expect to pay up to 20 per cent less in terms of passenger service charge, which is more commonly known as airport tax.

Currently, passengers who use Changi Airport pay a $15 passenger service charge and a $6 security charge. However, Mr Yeo said that budget carriers can expect landing fees to remain the same.

Even so, observers note that the new terminal would still likely reduce costs for budget carriers, as they would be exempt or pay less for certain fees, such as aerobridge fees and parking fees.

Mr Yeo said that the government was now in discussion with budget carriers to determine the eventual size of the new terminal.

'We've spoken to Tiger Air and we will reach out to the other carriers as well in the next few days and get their response,' he said. Tiger Air is the budget carrier being planned by SIA.

If the new terminal is built, it would also mean the cancelling of earlier plans for a $100 million upgrade to Seletar airport to serve budget airlines.

Industry players that BT spoke with welcomed the news, but said that, in the end, quick turnaround time for flights was just as important as a physical facility to reduce costs.

'This is a very interesting development...and good news for low-cost carriers wanting to use Changi,' said Nicholas Ionides, regional editor of Flight International magazine. 'But the key to success for many low-cost carriers is efficiency - they need to get people in and out of airplanes quickly.'

AirAsia chief Tony Fernandes said the move was a step in the right direction. 'Changi Airport is a big airport... for budget airlines like us, being stuck between big planes and circling... waiting for a spot... all add up to costs. Budget airlines will always prefer subsidiary airports which offer lower costs and faster turnaround times.'

Jimmy Lau, director of budget carrier ValuAir, said that quality of service, good baggage and ground handling and quick turnarounds are still among the most critical elements.

'Unlike in Europe where most passengers of budget carriers tend to travel light, Asians tend to have check-in baggage and require more services at the terminal,' Mr Lau said. 'We would not like to see a little village hut type building squeezed between the world class Terminal 1, 2 and 3.'

[huaiwei]

.............there is already another thread in the Urban Discussions about this....but nvm!

[Kit]

Saw it on news. Looks nothing more than a shed.

[Cliff]

Wow!

Hey, I noticed that they're changing the whole facade to glass, they are using some type of suction pads thingy stuck on long metal rods to hold the glass sheets together instead of the conventional metal frames embedded into the wall, so the glass wall is extrmeley clear.

[heirloom]

vienna airport? unlikely i'll ever be there. but it's high time for an upgrade there i guess.

[huaiwei]

Originally posted by Kit

Saw it on news. Looks nothing more than a shed.

Haha..I think that is jus a simulation.

[huaiwei]

Is that so? Well by all means...I am all for anything glassy and airy!

[RafflesCity]

WOW!! That new facade looks so cool!

I dont have any problems with T2 (its interior is awesome) but this just enhances it.