First opened in 1991, the terminal last underwent refurbishment in 2006.
As the year-end travel peak season approaches, airport operator Changi Airport Group is preparing to reopen the southern wing of Changi International Airport’s Terminal 2. Beginning from October 11th, flights can soon depart from Terminal 2, following the resumption of arrival operations at the terminal earlier in May.
To prepare for this opening, Changi Airport Group will conduct more operational readiness trials with airline and airport partners to ensure that all systems and processes are in place. Commencing departure operations at Terminal 2 will add to the airport’s capacity and aid the evening out of passenger operations across all terminals in the airport.
A refreshed look
Since its closure during the pandemic, Terminal 2’s design has been vividly refreshed, and an additional 15,500 square meters was added to make it more spacious and welcoming for passengers. As the second oldest terminal within Changi Airport, it was given a contemporary design concept inspired by elements of nature. Passengers will feel calm and relaxed upon seeing the terminal’s extensive use of natural materials for wall cladding and flooring, coupled with giant green columns displaying unique plant palettes.
Terminal 2 has also been upgraded extensively to become more convenient for passengers and on par with the other terminals, as automated check-in kiosks will be available for those who prefer to self-serve before dropping off their luggage at the baggage check-in counters. Passengers will also find wayfinding easier as, right after checking in, they can proceed to clear immigration via the automated clearance gates.
The terminal’s southern wing will also offer several food, beverage, and retail outlets in both public and transit areas. Some shops and services will return to their original store locations before Terminal 2’s upgrades, such as Starbucks and the airport’s iconic Sing Post Centre. When the northern wing of Terminal 2 is fully completed by 2024, passengers can expect more shops to explore.
Singapore Airlines to debut the reopening
From October 11th, Singapore Airlines flights to Malaysia and Thailand will commence departure operations from the southern wing of Terminal 2, making the national carrier the first airline to debut the terminal’s departure restart. Though unconfirmed, the first flights are pegged to be SQ 104 to Kuala Lumpur and SQ 706 to Bangkok, as these two are the earliest scheduled flights to the two countries.
All other Singapore Airlines flights flying to other Southeast Asian destinations, specifically Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam, will begin departing from Terminal 2 the following day. Shifting the airline’s entire Southeast Asian network to Terminal 2 would represent more than 320 weekly departures currently, which averages nearly 50 flights per day.
Eligible Singapore Airlines passengers may use the reopened SilverKris Lounge at Terminal 2 or try out the terminal’s transit hotel and pay-per-use lounge, open for departing and transit passengers. It is also worth noting the SilverKris Lounge was not revamped, and the KrisFlyer Elite Gold Lounge at Terminal 2 will not be reopening, given the lower passenger numbers expected during the reopening. Additionally, all Singapore Airlines flights arriving at Changi Airport will continue to be assigned gates at Terminals 1, 2, or 3.
More airlines shifted to Terminal 2
Singapore Airlines will be joined by other carriers in its move to the second terminal, as Changi Airport confirmed the movement of Air India and Air India Express, commencing their departure operations on October 18th. Before the pandemic, several other airlines, such as All Nippon Airways, Etihad Airways, IndiGo, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Brunei, and United Airlines, used to operate within Terminal 2.
However, it remains uncertain if these airlines will return or if different carriers will be added to the list, which Changi Airport Group will subsequently announce. Eventually, once Terminal 2 is fully completed and reopened by 2024, the terminal will be the airport’s largest before Terminal 5, which will still be undergoing construction. Terminal 2 will have a capacity of 28 million passengers per annum, which is 5 million more than its capacity before the revamping.
Source: Simple Flying
