Singapore`s upcoming low cost terminal (LCT) will be a cheerful and relaxing terminal. The terminal`s design theme, together with the interior terminal layout, was revealed by Minister for Transport Mr Yeo Cheow Tong…
Singapore`s upcoming low cost terminal (LCT) will be a cheerful and relaxing terminal. The terminal`s design theme, together with the interior terminal layout, was revealed by Minister for Transport Mr Yeo Cheow Tong during a visit today to the site of the LCT, which is currently under construction.
Travellers stepping into the LCT will be greeted with soothing colours – on the walls, floors and in the terminal finishes and decorative ceiling features. The terminal building will also be air-conditioned in most areas for the comfort of travellers. The efforts to create a pleasant atmosphere at the LCT are in line with the profile of passengers that travel with budget carriers. Surveys carried out throughout last year at Changi Airport have revealed that about 70% of passengers of budget carriers travel for leisure and to visit friends or relatives.
No frills also does not mean no facilities and amenities for travellers. Some 3000 sqm of space at the LCT has been set aside for a range of shops including money changers, retail shops and food & beverage outlets both in the restricted and public areas, so that travellers can still enjoy perks such as duty-free shopping when they travel through the terminal. The food & beverage offerings would focus on fast service and easy takeaway concepts such as fast-food and quick bites.
The LCT will not have aerobridges, thus travellers will need to walk a short distance on the tarmac to and from the aircraft. It is made up of two adjacent single-storey buildings connected via link ways. This design facilitates seamless passenger flow in the single storey buildings, as arrival and departure procedures will be processed in separate buildings.
Speaking during the visit to the LCT site, Mr Yeo said, Low cost carriers do not require many amenities, such as business lounges, travellators or aerobridges. They do away with frills, and prefer simple, efficient operations which allow passengers to embark and disembark quickly. This low cost terminal will ensure that our infrastructure and services suit their business model.
The unveiling of the terminal design also calls for a name for the LCT. The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will organise a Low Cost Terminal Naming Contest to seek a suitable and innovative name for the LCT. More details on the contest will be announced later.
CAAS proceeded with the construction of the LCT after it received firm commitment from Tiger Airways to use the terminal. The 25,000 sqm LCT is about the size of three football fields, or about a tenth of the size of Changi Airport`s Terminal 1. It is scheduled for completion in early 2006 and will be able to handle about 2.7 million passengers a year. There is scope for further expansion should more carriers want to use the LCT.
Photo: An artist impression of the low cow terminal interior design
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Network where she is the Editor-in Chief. She is also responsible for the daily operation and the financial policy. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism Business Administration from the Technical University of Athens and a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. She has many years of both academic and industrial experience within the travel industry. She has written/edited numerous articles in various tourism magazines.
