Thursday, May 15, 2025

Singapore’s Changi Airport breaks ground on Terminal Five, a futuristic, automated, and sustainable hub set to transform air travel and boost capacity dramatically.

Singapore’s Prime Minister and Finance Minister, Lawrence Wong, officially launched the groundbreaking ceremony for Changi Airport’s Terminal Five (T5), a landmark project set to elevate the airport’s status as a premier aviation hub. This state-of-the-art terminal will feature advanced airport technologies and widespread automation, allowing Changi to boost capacity, optimize efficiency, and capitalize on growing global travel demand the coming decades.

Terminal Five will integrate smoothly with the current terminals, forming a cohesive and unified airport complex. Planned to accommodate around fifty million passengers each year during its first phase, T5 is expected to become operational by the mid-2030s. With the Asia-Pacific region expected to be one of the fastest-growing air travel markets over the next twenty years, this expansion will position Singapore to capture the long-term growth potential of the aviation sector both regionally and globally.

Currently operating across three different terminals, the Singapore Airlines Group plans to consolidate all its operations within T5, enhancing efficiency and customer experience. The new terminal will also provide additional space for other airlines to expand their presence across Changi’s growing network of terminals.

One of T5’s defining features will be the introduction of a comprehensive ground transportation hub, the first of its kind at Changi Airport. This facility will integrate multiple modes of transport—including train, bus, taxi, and other services—significantly improving connectivity between the airport and the rest of Singapore. The terminal will not only serve as a gateway for international travelers but also as an accessible destination for local residents. Plans are underway to extend Singapore’s Thomson-East Coast Line and Cross Island Line to connect directly with T5, ensuring smooth transit to the city center and other key locations.

Moreover, T5 aims to enhance connectivity beyond air travel by facilitating better integration with sea transport. This includes potential ferry services that will offer convenient connections to nearby destinations, enabling a more fluid and enjoyable travel experience.

As a terminal designed for the future, T5 will feature extensive automation across both passenger-facing services and behind-the-scenes operations. The innovative technologies currently being tested will be fully implemented on a large scale when the terminal opens, allowing Changi to run its operations more efficiently while reducing dependence on manual labor. This technological advancement will support a more sustainable and resilient airport environment.

In line with Singapore’s commitment to sustainability, T5 will be certified as a Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy building. The terminal will prioritize energy efficiency and operate using a higher proportion of clean energy sources, thereby lowering Changi Airport’s overall carbon footprint. Among its green features, the rooftop solar system—one of the largest in Singapore—has the potential to generate enough power to supply approximately twenty thousand four-room public housing flats for an entire year. Additionally, T5 will be equipped with state-of-the-art building management systems designed to optimize energy use and minimize waste.

Architecturally, T5 will embody Singapore’s distinctive harmony between nature and urban life. The terminal’s design features a series of overlapping curved roofs at varying heights, creating ‘roof leaves’ that break the large terminal structure into smaller, human-scaled spaces. This design, coupled with abundant natural light and carefully planned landscaping, will provide passengers with the familiar warm and uplifting atmosphere for which Changi Airport is renowned.

To enhance passenger convenience, the terminal will be outfitted with multiple travellators and an automated people mover (APM) system, similar to Changi’s existing Skytrain. These transport options will reduce walking distances, making movement within the expansive terminal as comfortable as in the current terminals. The APM will also connect T5 with Terminal Two, facilitating easy transfers between terminals. The layout will be intuitive, designed so that travelers can effortlessly find their way to boarding gates or the APM station without heavy reliance on signage.

The design of the terminal was created by a team spearheaded by KPF Associates, working alongside Heatherwick Studio and architects61. Although design work was paused in 2020 due to the global pandemic, it resumed in 2022 incorporating lessons learned during that period. To enhance health safety, T5 will feature flexible configurations allowing it to be divided into smaller sub-terminals if needed, supporting the management of high-risk passengers. Contactless technology will also be widely implemented to minimize touchpoints and reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Terminal Five is located in Changi East, a sprawling 1,080-hectare development area that includes the Changi East Industrial Zone (CEIZ) and the Changi East Urban District (CEUD). The CEIZ is designed to strengthen Singapore’s position as a regional leader in aircraft maintenance, integrated logistics, and air cargo services. Meanwhile, the CEUD will become a vibrant business and lifestyle hub situated just steps away from T5, creating a dynamic ecosystem that complements the airport’s expansion.

Together, these developments mark a major step forward for Changi Airport, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of global aviation by combining advanced technology, sustainable design, and seamless connectivity to fulfill the needs of tomorrow’s travel environment.