Changi's T4 on last lap of operational trials

Spring Airlines carried out live flights at the terminal on Tuesday night and Korean Air was due to do the same on Wednesday

Singapore

OPERATIONAL readiness trials at Changi Airport's Terminal 4, which include live flights, are currently in the final stage.

Spring Airlines carried out live flights at the terminal on Tuesday night and Korean Air was due to do the same on Wednesday.

Airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG) has already conducted live flights with AirAsia at T4, as well as a couple of military flights.

The new terminal, which is due to open its doors in the second half of this year, spans a total floor area of 225,000 sq m.

Nine airlines will operate from the terminal: four airlines from the Air Asia group, Cathay Pacific, Cebu Pacific, Korean Air, Spring Airlines and Vietnam Airlines.

Built on the site of the former Budget Terminal, the terminal took three years to complete. It is about half the size of Terminal 3 but can handle 16 million passengers annually.

FAST and efficient

The new terminal offers various self-service options such as automated check-in kiosks and bag drop machines. These are expected to help cut down on manpower needs amid a tight labour market.

"T4 was conceived with the vision to rethink travel, push boundaries and break new ground," said Poh Li San, CAG's vice-president (T4 programme management office).

"Through innovative concepts of operation and terminal design, we sought to address our capacity needs as well as improve efficiency and manpower productivity."

The art collection at the terminal features contemporary works by both local and foreign artists, including traditional art forms, as well as kinetic and multimedia installations.

The terminal also aims to offer passengers innovative experiences such as the Heritage Zone - which showcases local culture and architectural history - and immersive LED digital displays.

For instance, an LED screen will transform two shophouse bays into a digital theatre stage with a mini show, Peranakan Love Story. The musical is a collaboration with local composer Dick Lee.

Meanwhile, skylights and glass walls let in natural light, which provides a prime environment for the foliage. At T4, landscaping covers 2,000 sq m and the terminal is home to 186 large trees.

Over 80 retail and F&B outlets will be housed in the terminal. It also offers two lounges within the transit area: Cathay Pacific's First and Business Class lounge, and the pay-per-use Blossom Lounge which is managed by groundhandler Sats and Plaza Premium.

CAG will be conducting a T4 Open House from Aug 7 to 20. All 200,000 tickets for the Open House have already been snapped up.

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