‍SINGAPORE — Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) is officially set to commence construction of Terminal 5, one of the most significant expansions the airport has undertaken. 

The new terminal is part of a vast Changi East project covering over 1,080 hectares. According to airport officials, this is not just adding a few gates; it's a full-on transformation, including cargo hubs and a third runway. 

Once it's up and running in the mid-2030s, T5 will be able to handle 50 million passengers every year—that’s more than what some entire airports manage. 

Singapore Airlines Moving House

So far, Singapore Airlines (SQ) plans to move all its flights to T5. The carrier operates out of multiple terminals right now, but the idea is to bring it all under one roof. 

According to the Business Times, transfers should be smoother, assuming the planned internal train runs accordingly. 

COVID-19 Delayed It, but It Also Helped Shape It

Like most major airport projects, COVID-19 threw a wrench in the timeline. But that pause gave SIN time to rethink things. 

The updated design includes better ventilation, touchless systems, and dedicated health screening zones. It’s a terminal built with post-pandemic travel in mind.

200+ Cities on the Radar

During the groundbreaking ceremony, PM Lawrence Wong said they want to grow the number of cities connected through Changi from around 170 to over 200 once T5 is ready. That’s pretty ambitious, but it makes sense considering how competitive air travel is getting in Asia.

Job Opportunities

Let’s not forget – this significant project isn't just about fancy architecture and runways. It's expected to create jobs and open more businesses for local companies. So yeah, it's also part of Singapore’s bigger plan to keep its economy buzzing.

Buckle up and keep following Airways for more updates!