Changi Airport’s T5 will be one of the world’s largest

SINGAPORE — Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 will be a single-standing terminal larger than Terminal 2 and 3 combined, with a handling capacity of 50 million passengers per annum when it is ready for operations in the mid-2020s, the Changi 2036 Steering Committee announced today (Aug 30).

To be located in Changi East, it will also be one of the largest terminals in the world, with provision made for expansion if necessary, the committee said.

The Changi 2036 Steering Committee is a multi-agency committee, headed by Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo.

A concept plan for the terminal’s layout will be finalised in the first half of 2014, with two concept options to choose from.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will be seeking views from stakeholders such as airlines, ground handlers and air cargo operators over the next two months to seek their views on the layout.

For passengers’ ease of transfer and airfield operational efficiency, the fifth terminal will be linked to the other terminals for maximum convenience with an underground train system.

To ensure accessibility, the terminal will be connected to the MRT network, with more details to be released after engineering studies are completed. Bus services to the airport will also be reviewed and beefed up.

Land has also been set aside to the north of Terminal 5 for facilities for airfreight, air express operators and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul activities.

With Terminal 5’s completion, Changi Airport will have a combined capacity of 135 million passengers every year.

The steering committee also announced that the airport’s three-runway system will be operational around 2020.

Planning and preparatory works have already started to convert the existing Runway 3, which is currently for military use. It will be extended from 2.75km to 4km to handle larger passenger aircrafts, with new facilities such as navigation aids, airfield lighting systems and a firestation to be built in. Almost 40km of new taxiways will also be built to connect the runway to the current airport.

For connectivity between the new runway and terminal to the existing airfield and terminals, the 6km-long Changi Coast Road will have to be diverted 1.8km further east. The Land Transport Authority will be in charge of the works expected to start in the second half of next year. A new road and a park connector will be built on reclaimed land along the eastern coastline, to be ready before Runway 3 is in operation.