Airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG) has unveiled further details of its soon-to-be-opened Terminal 4 (T4) facility at Changi Airport in Singapore.
The terminal’s Fast and Seamless Travel (FAST) experience uses facial recognition technology to redefine the travel experience, by enhancing operational efficiency and raising productivity. Passengers will enjoy the flexibility of checking in at their own convenience, without having to wait for counters to open. FAST will also yield productivity gains with manpower savings of 20% expected in the long term.
T4 has a total floor area of 225,000m² (2,400,000ft²) including the two-story terminal, car parks and taxi deck. The project was completed after three years of construction and has the capacity to cater for 16 million passengers annually.
The terminal’s showpiece is a Central Galleria, which separates the public zone from the transit area. The concept provides a clear view from the check-in hall through the transit area and, at some locations, even right up to the boarding gates.
Due to its compact size, T4 will have centralized areas for departure and arrival immigration as well as pre-board security screening. In the Departure Hall, the check-in islands are angled toward the common immigration control area, to create a natural and intuitive wayfinding experience. The skylights and glass walls in T4 not only provide a naturally ambient daytime experience for passengers, but also simulate a natural environment for 186 trees and numerous plants.
Poh Li San, vice president of CAG, T4 program management office, said, “T4 was conceived with the vision to rethink travel, push boundaries and break new ground. Through innovative concepts of operation and terminal design, we sought to address our capacity needs as well as improve efficiency and manpower productivity.
“For the passenger, we wanted to delight them with ‘wow’ features and showcase our local culture and architectural history at the Heritage Zone. We look forward to welcoming the public to our open house in August, and passengers when we open T4 for operations later this year.”
T4 will also feature more than 80 retail and food and beverage outlets comprising popular brands and unique experiential zones. This includes an integrated duty-free zone covering both liquor and tobacco and cosmetics and perfume products.
CAG will decide on the opening date of T4 following the completion of operational readiness trials, which are currently in the final stage.