$3b upgrade: How Changi Airport plans to stay ahead of the game

The passenger experience at Changi Airport is set for a major upgrade, with $3 billion earmarked for improvements to its existing infrastructure over the next six years.

- Kok Yufeng

While it will come at the cost of higher fees for passengers and airlines, Changi Airport Group (CAG) said on Nov 7 that the outlay will help Singapore's air hub stay competitive.

The bulk of the funds will go towards the renewal of key systems and equipment like the Skytrain, which connects Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

Other upgrades include larger immigration halls at T1 and more places for aircraft to park.

NEW LOOK FOR TERMINAL 3

T3 will be more than 20 years old at the end of this decade, and it has not undergone any major refurbishments since it opened in 2008.

CAG said the terminal's systems and facilities will be updated with the aim of maximising handling capacity, improving its commercial offerings and boosting energy efficiency.

More details will be made public later.

REJUVENATING THE SKYTRAIN

Seven more Skytrain cars will be added to reduce wait times, especially during peak hours, as the number of transit passengers moving between terminals is expected to increase.

This will bring the Skytrain fleet to 29 cars.