Construction Changi Airport T5 of to start in first half of 2025: PM Wong

T5 will transform the passenger experience, allow for more connectivity and create jobs

- Kok Yufeng

The construction of Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5) will start in the first half of 2025, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

In the mid-2030s, when the mega terminal is operational, the aim is for Singapore to be linked by air to more than 200 cities, up from almost 150 today.

Speaking at a dinner marking the 40th anniversary of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on Sept 6, he said Singapore must sharpen its competitive edge amid intensifying competition in the air transport sector.

Countries in the region and beyond are making significant investments to expand and improve their airport infrastructure to capture more traffic, noted PM Wong. “Some have announced plans for mega airports that can handle more than 100 million passengers a year. So they are narrowing the gap with Singapore,” he said.

“Many airlines are also rapidly expanding their fleets and networks, including to serve more direct routes. Increasingly, flights that would have passed through Changi may no longer be needed,” he added.

“We cannot rest on our laurels,” he told the audience of 800 at the Shangri-La Singapore hotel, comprising industry leaders, former and current CAAS staff, and senior government officials.

PM Wong said Singapore’s airports are already well-connected, with close to 150 city links today, but the aim is to grow this further. This will bring more passengers to the Republic and create demand for the broader aviation industry here.