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According to Prime Minister (PM) Lawrence Wong, Singapore Changi Airport will commence construction of Terminal 5 (T5) in the first half of 2025. The new terminal is expected to increase the airport’s capacity by 50 million passengers annually and allow airlines to add more than 50 destinations by the mid-2030s.
Lawrence Wong said the expansion of the aviation industry in other Asian nations could threaten the country’s growth as a mid-point for many long-haul international flights.
He said, “Some have announced plans for mega airports to handle more than 100 million passengers a year, so they are narrowing the gap with Singapore. Many airlines are also rapidly expanding their fleets and networks, including to serve more direct routes.”
He added, “Increasingly, flights that would have passed through Changi may no longer be needed, so we must continue to sharpen our competitive edge and develop new advantages to set us apart.”
Speaking at a dinner on Friday celebrating the 40th anniversary of the nation’s civil aviation authority, Wong mentioned that they will break ground for the construction of T5 in the first half of next year.
Changi Airport is the busiest in Southeast Asia, handling almost 60 million passengers last year as international travel bounced back from Covid. In the first half of this year, passenger traffic at Changi returned to almost 100% of pre-pandemic levels, Wong said.
According to Gulf News, Vietnam is constructing a new airport near Ho Chi Minh City to serve more than 100 million passengers. Hong Kong is spending over $18 billion to expand its international hub. These developments could challenge Changi Airport’s status as the region’s busiest airport. According to aviation researcher CAPA, Asia-Pacific accounts for 60% of all new airport projects globally, indicating a significant shift in the global aviation landscape.
Changi Terminal 5
Terminal 5 (T5), a significant project by The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), Changi Airport Group (CAG), and the Ministry of Transport, is set to reshape the aviation industry. Its impact will be felt not only in Singapore but also across the globe.
T5 will be linked to the other terminals at Changi Airport, allowing the expanded Changi Airport to be operated as a single, integrated airport for ease of transfer between different terminals with airfield operational efficiency. New facilities, such as navigation aids, airfield lighting systems and a fire station will also be constructed. The project also includes developing a three-runway system and network of inter and intra-terminal tunnels.
Changi’s Terminal 5 project was first announced in 2013, but it was halted for two years due to the pandemic. The construction project is estimated to cost approximately $10 billion, and it marks Changi Airport’s biggest expansion to date. This significant investment underscores the airport’s commitment to maintaining its position as a leading global aviation hub despite the increasing competition in the region.
