Changi Airport, one of the world’s leading air hubs, was constructed following major developments in Singapore’s aviation landscape during the 1970s. With better access to international travel, passenger movements at Paya Lebar Airport in Singapore increased from 1.7 million passengers per annum (mppa) to 4 mppa from 1970 to 1975, and reached its maximum capacity. Expansion was not a viable option as the airport was located near housing estates. Hence, the decision was made to move the operations to Changi, a location where there was ample room for future expansion. The laying of the groundwork for Changi Airport began in 1977 and took two years, following which actual construction began in 1979. Commercial operations at Changi Airport finally began in 1981 with the opening of Terminal 1. Following this, civil aviation operations at Paya Lebar Airport were halted and the airport was converted into a military airbase. Within five years of construction of Terminal 1, the 10 million passenger mark was crossed, prompting the opening of Terminal 2 in 1991. Terminal 3 began operations in 2008 and Terminal 4 in 2017.
Current status
Changi Airport spans over 1,200 hectares, including 870 hectares of reclaimed land. It features four terminals with a total capacity of 90 mppa, serving 170 destinations across 50 countries and caters to 100 airlines. Commercial and cargo operations are carried out from the airport’s two runways spanning 4,000 metres, each with its own fire station and airport emergency service (AES) team. The airside features over 180 aircraft parking stands, of which over 110 have aerobridge connectivity. The airport also has over 360 automated gates, including 64 special assistance lanes. Further, it features several global firsts like airport gardens, free local calls for passengers and indoor taxi stands.
Terminal 1 is centrally located, caters to both international full-service and regional airlines, and is equipped with modern baggage systems. Terminal 2 includes both regional and long-haul routes, featuring automated immigration and self-service options. Terminal 3, which is the main centre for long-haul operations of Singapore Airlines, and supports Airbus A380 operations, has a dual-level departure and arrival system. Terminal 4 is fully automated and handles regional carriers and budget airlines.
Changi Airport is also expanding its cargo and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities with facilities like Nexus One, Singapore Airport Terminal Services upgrades and ST Engineering hangars. Additionally, the long-term plans include the Changi East Industrial Zone and Airport Logistics Park of Singapore 2 (ALPS2), targeting 5.4 million tonnes (mt) of cargo annually.
Traffic trends
Changi Airport served 67.7 million passengers and handled 366,000 aircraft movements in 2024. Additionally, it handled nearly 2 mt of cargo. Further, over 7,200 flights take off or land weekly, translating to a flight every 80 seconds. During Q2 2025 (April to June), the airport recorded 17.5 million passenger movements, reflecting a growth of 5.9 per cent in comparison to the same period last year. Aircraft movements increased by 4.9 per cent and airfreight throughput increased by 6.2 per cent to around 516,000 tonnes. During this period, the airport mainly served flights to China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia and India in terms of passenger volume. Further, compared to Q2 2024, cargo flows increased by 8 per cent, with China, the US, Hong Kong, Australia and India emerging as the top five air cargo markets.
Recent developments
A new terminal (Terminal 5) is currently being constructed by the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and the Changi Airport Group at Changi Airport. The project was first announced in 2013 and the groundbreaking ceremony was officiated on May 14, 2025. The terminal is being built within the 1,080 hectare Changi East development under various phases, with the facility to expand, depending on the demand. The first phase is expected to open by the mid-2030s and will have the capacity to handle 50 mppa. The terminal will include a transport hub and will have curved roofs of different heights. It will also be integrated with Singapore’s mass rapid transit system via the Thomson-East Coast Line and Cross Island Line, and will be accessible by buses and taxis.
Two major contracts worth around SGD4.75 billion have been awarded for the construction of the foundation and basements of the main terminal and transport centre and for airside infrastructure. Further, with a focus on inter-terminal connectivity, a contract worth SGD 622 million was awarded to build a 2.5 km long underground link between Terminal 5 and Terminal 2. Intra-terminal tunnels will be constructed for smooth transfer of passengers and baggage movement. The three-runway system has been extended to 4 km and there are plans to build 40 km of taxiways that will connect the runway to the airport. Moreover, the cargo capacity at the airport will be increased from 3 mt to 5.4 mt annually through the Changi East Industrial Zone and a remodelled Changi Airfreight Centre. This will support airfreight and MRO activities. Further, the construction of a smart air cargo hub will help reduce processing time.
Sustainability moves and other best practices
The Changi Airport Group is targeting a 20 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 2030, compared to the FY 2018-19 baseline. The airport maintains its Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 3 certification and holds ISO 14001:2015 certification for energy, emissions, and waste and water management. On April 16, 2025, the airport was honoured with a Platinum award in the Green Airports Recognition 2025 programme by the Airports Council International. It also features rooftop solar installations. Moreover, seven solar-powered flood sensors have been installed across the airport’s drain network.
Terminal 5 is being developed as a Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy Building and will have one of the largest rooftop solar installations in Singapore. Terminal 5 also plans to utilise sustainable aviation fuel as part of its green initiative. The airfield is being constructed at an elevation of 5.5 metres above sea level and includes sloped taxiways for rainwater drainage. The advanced airfield drainage system is designed to manage stormwater during high tide and extreme rainfall.
In terms of technological advancements, a new video surveillance and analytics system is expected to be deployed at the airport, targeted to be operational by Q4 2027 to enhance drone detection capabilities. The airport features biometric-based immigration clearance, which eliminates the need for carrying physical passports. Additionally, Gibson, a new police patrol robot, is being developed by the Singapore Police Force’s Airport Police Division and HTX to enhance safety and mobility.
Conclusion
Changi Airport is likely to be an infrastructure marvel, with various plans under way to serve the expected rise in demand in the future. In addition to the highly anticipated Terminal 5, existing infrastructure is also set to see an upgrade. In November 2024, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced plans for a six-year SGD 3 billion investment to upgrade Terminals 1 to 4, focusing on enhancing baggage handling, immigration, check-in and the Skytrain network.
Changi Airport, initially built out of necessity, has now set global benchmarks for airport infrastructure and innovation. It has also earned Skytrax’s “World’s Best Airport” title 13 times, which reaffirms its status as a global aviation leader. With world-class terminals, use of smart technologies and focus on sustainability, Changi Airport is defining the future of air travel.
