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Last week for Singapore Changi Budget Terminal

The six year old Budget Terminal at Singapore Changi will definitely close its doors on September 25 to make way to the future Terminal 4.

Singapore Changi Budget Terminal opened for operations on 26 March 2006. It was built in response to the emerging trend of low cost carriers (LCCs) in Asia and was designated to accommodate up to six million passengers. However, according to Changi Airport Group, Singapore’s airport operator, the terminal become too small and need to make way for the construction of Terminal 4. Last flights will depart on the evening of September 24 while the last landing will occur in the early hours of September 25. All the airlines currently accommodated in the Budget Terminal– Berjaya Air, Cebu Pacific, Firefly, Mandala Airlines, South East Asian Airlines and Tiger Airways – will then move their operations to Terminal 2.

CAG prepared Terminal 2 to accommodate the additional influx of passengers. The operator reassigned check-in counters for existing carriers in Terminal 2 to accommodate the BT airlines. Improvements are being made to key touch points in Terminal 2 to enhance the travelling experience for passengers. For example, the Departure and Arrival Immigration areas are currently being upgraded to increase the number of automated immigration gantries. In addition, the taxi waiting area in the Arrival Hall will be expanded and additional taxi bays will also be constructed.

With more passengers expected to come through Terminal 2, plans are also in place to boost all available services: the Departure and Arrival Immigration areas are upgraded to increase the number of automated immigration gantries as well as immigration and customs points. Additional trolleys will also be available In addition, the taxi waiting area in the Arrival Hall will be expanded and additional taxis available.

“Planning ahead for our capacity needs is a fundamental part of ensuring Changi Airport’s continued growth in the long term, as we aspire to reach greater heights. To this end, we have started the planning process for two major development projects – the development of Terminal 4 and the expansion of Terminal 1 – both of which will expand Changi’s handling capacity and widen our range of offerings. These will put us in good stead to cater to longer-term traffic growth and capture greater tourism mindshare, ultimately, to strengthen Singapore’s position as a global air hub,” said Lee Seow Hiang, Chief Executive Officer of CAG.

In terms of passenger movements, Terminal 2 and BT managed about 13 million and 5 million respectively in the past year. Terminal 2 can handle up to 23 million passenger movements a year and managed 21.6 million passenger movements in 2007, just before the opening of Terminal 3 in 2008. By investing S$ 2 billion over the next five years, the future terminal 4 will then open its doors in 2017 adding a capacity for 16 million passengers.

Table: List of Flights at the Budget Terminal airlines departing and arriving around 2.00am on 25 Sep 2012*

Last flights departing from the Budget Terminal
Tiger Airways TR2652 To Bangalore 9.50pm (24 Sep 2012)
Tiger Airways TR2648 To Kochi 10.50pm (24 Sep 2012)
Tiger Airways TR2654 To Dhaka 10.55pm (24 Sep 2012)
Cebu Pacific 5J548 To Cebu 12.20am
Cebu Pacific 5J804 To Manila 12.40am

Last flights arriving at the Budget Terminal
Cebu Pacific 5J803 From Manila 11.55pm (24 Sep 2012)
Tiger Airways TR2277 From Jakarta 12.05am
Tiger Airways TR2969 From Hong Kong 12.40am
Tiger Airways TR2115 From Bangkok 1.00am
Tiger Airways TR2727 From Manila 1.45am

(Source: CAG)

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Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.

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