Tender for major upgrade of Changi Airport Terminal 3 to be issued in second half of 2026

[SINGAPORE] A major upgrade to Changi Airport Terminal 3 (T3) will kick off this year, with the tender to be issued in the second half of 2026, said Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow.

Speaking at the Changi Airline Awards on Wednesday (Apr 29) evening, Siow said that the main objective of the upgrade is to improve the passenger throughput, especially during peak hours.

More digital technology and robotics will be included to improve self-service check-in, security screening and toilet cleaning. Some will serve as test beds to be implemented at a larger scale when Terminal 5 begins operations.

He added that the update emphasises passenger throughput because the airport’s traffic will continue to grow between now and the completion of T5, which is expected to take around 10 more years.

“We want to make sure Changi passengers continue to experience the same level of comfort and service that they are used to,” he noted, adding that it is likely to be the airport’s final, major upgrade before T5 is completed.

Part of airport’s S$3 billion upgrade plan

The improvements to T3 are part of a S$3 billion move to upgrade the airport over six years that was announced by operator Changi Airport Group in November 2024. Then, the operator said T3’s improvements would boost handling capacity, along with commercial offerings and energy efficiency.

The terminal opened in 2008 and has not undergone any major refurbishments since.

Upgrades to other parts of the airport include more Skytrain cars and refreshed sub-systems, an improved baggage-handling system on the rooftops of Terminals 1 and 3, preparing for more aircraft types, and larger immigration halls at Terminal 1.

The enhancements are being funded by increased airport fees for passengers and airlines.

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Positive on long-term trajectory

In the 12 months ended March 2026, Changi handled a record 70.4 million passengers.

Siow said that while many flights have been affected by the Middle East conflict, Singapore worked with airlines to launch more than 90 alternative flights to locations such as Europe and Australia. The Republic is also improving its standing as an air cargo hub, he noted.

Changi handled more than half a million tonnes of airfreight in the first quarter of 2026, nearly an 8 per cent improvement year on year. Both exports and imports grew, with key markets including China, the US, Australia and India.

As part of Singapore’s Economic Strategy Review, the country is shoring up its air cargo sector and is bringing in more freight partners to complement existing ones such as FedEx, DHL and UPS.

Such a move will allow the Republic to play a larger role in key freight routes, such as between Australia and Asia.

According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, global air traffic, including passenger and cargo, will nearly treble by 2050 and Asia-Pacific will lead the sector’s growth.

“Therefore, notwithstanding the immediate problems we are all dealing with, the long-term trajectory for aviation continues to be upward,” Siow said.