Changi Airport in Singapore is one of the major gateways globally, and the airport has been operating four terminals, ever since the Changi Airport Terminal 4 opened up in 2017. However, given the reduction in traffic over the past weeks, and how airlines are closing operations rather than opening it, Changi has decided to close down one of their terminals to save costs. Remember, on April 7, 2020, Singapore enters a one-month “circuit breaker” to ensure CoVid-19 does not spread.
Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced today that because of the steep decline in passenger traffic and the likelihood that air travel demand will not return to pre-CoVid-19 levels in the near term, terminal operations at Changi Airport would be consolidated. This move will enable CAG and its airport partners to save on running costs such as utilities and cleaning as well as to optimise resources across the airport’s terminals to match better the low travel demand and airlines’ flight operations.
From May 1, 2020, operations at Terminal 2 (T2) will be suspended for 18 months with airlines to be relocated to the remaining terminals. This suspension of operations will allow for the current T2 expansion works to be accelerated with expected completion, currently scheduled for 2024, brought forward possibly by up to one year. Work on Terminal 2 expansion and renovation was expected to start just after the Chinese New Year holidays in January 2020.
Some of the airlines which operate from Terminal 2 include:
- Air Lingus
- Aegean Airlines
- Air Canada
- Air Europa
- Air India
- Air India Express
- ANA
- Air Serbia
- Bhutan Airline
- Brussels Airlines
- Egypt Air
- Ethiopian Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- Flynas
- IndiGo
- LOT Polish
- Lufthansa
- Malaysia Airlines
- Royal Air Maroc
- Royal Brunei Airlines
- Sichuan Airlines
- Singapore Airlines/SilkAir
- Swiss
- Thai Airways
- United
Given the minimal number of flights at Terminal 4 (T4), operations at the terminal have been scaled down considerably with a small number of aircraft boarding gates kept in use and shops allowed to close early after the last flight for the day. If the remaining airlines at T4 choose to suspend or adjust their flight schedule, CAG will also consider suspending operations at T4 temporarily but with the objective of restarting operations quickly when airlines confirm the resumption of flights.
In another noble gesture, Changi has waived all rentals for concessions operating in T4 for two months from March 24, 2020, given the meagre passenger traffic in the terminal.
Bottomline
After Heathrow, this is the second major airport announcement coming through about reduction in capacity. This is most unfortunate, but it is a great thing to hear that Changi Airport Group will use this time to hasten the new project of expanding Terminal 2 and try and complete it a full year ahead.
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That is so sad to hear. I passed through Changi 6 times this year and 3 times through T2. Not my favorite terminal but sad to see workers losing their jobs. The Jewel was completely empty during my visits.