HUB OF ACTIVITY
As Changi prepares to double in size over the next ten years, Rose Dykins finds out what makes Singapore Airlines’ hub a world leader
Fantastic facilities have made Changi airport a destination in itself
THERE ARE SOME AIRPORTS
THAT PROVOKE a slight sense of excitement when your flight begins to descend towards the runway. You know there will be excellent facilities, speedy service and a feeling that you and your belongings are in safe hands. Having been crowned World’s Best Airport at the Business Traveller Awards for the past 28 years in a row, Changi – the home hub of flag carrier Singapore Airlines – is certainly held in such regard by our readers.
With its 320-strong network of destinations spanning 80 countries, Changi’s connectivity is world class. The airport serves 116 cities in 29 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Singapore Airlines’ nonstop flights from London and, from the end of this month, Manchester, are well timed for British business travellers heading for the city-state or connecting onwards, offering the chance for some uninterrupted sleep.
Most of the carrier’s flights from Heathrow reach Changi either early in the morning or towards the end of the working day, so those taking long-haul second legs – such as the seven-hour 40-minute journey on to Sydney, served by the carrier up to five times daily – can time their journey to arrive at a sociable hour the evening before they need to begin working, or travel overnight.
Changi is only a short flight from key business destinations in the region, including Kuala Lumpur (one hour), Jakarta (one hour 45 minutes), Bangkok (two hours 25 minutes) and Hong Kong (three hours 45 minutes). If you are visiting Singapore, the airport authorities aim to have passengers clear of immigration in 35 minutes, after which a 30-minute taxi ride brings you into the city centre.
Those transiting through Changi should allow a minimum connecting time of one hour – which is impressive considering the airport handles 54 million passengers annually, and is the world’s sixth busiest in terms of international passenger traffic. For speed, a Skytrain connects all three terminals; it takes four minutes to glide between each of them in air-conditioned carriages, and trains depart every two minutes.
Last year, Changi was ranked the fourth-most punctual large airport internationally, with more than eight out of ten flights landing or taking off within 15 minutes of their scheduled time. This is largely down to the efficiency of the airport’s ground operations – baggage loading, plane maintenance and
passenger embarkation. Changi’s smooth co-ordination means that, at best, the airport runs like clockwork and, at worst, the knockon effects of delayed flights are less disruptive than they could be.
At the same time, the airport is developing technology that will allow its partners – including ground handling agents and airlines – to share flight operation information in real time. This means they can better collaborate to improve gate management, reduce taxi congestion on the runway, and further improve punctuality.
TRANSIT TREATS
In terms of passenger experience, you’d be hard pushed to find an airport that offers the same level of imaginative, fun and customercentric facilities as Changi.
Aside from its indoor butterfly garden, koi pond and 24-hour cinema (Terminal 3), its rooftop pool, cactus garden and water lily garden (T1) and its sunflower, orchid and “enchanted”gardens at T2, wifi is free and fast, and dining and retail outlets are plentiful. Not many airports enable you to take in some fresh air in a garden while transiting, or to rest your head for a few hours during a stopover (there are“transit” hotels at each terminal, where you don’t need to clear immigration to check in and snooze).
The Changi Transit Programme entitles connecting passengers travelling with Singapore Airlines and Silk Air to S$20 (£11) worth of vouchers to spend at whichever restaurant, shop or facility they choose in any terminal (until March 31, 2017). Or, if you have time between flights to take in some of the city’s highlights (see our feature on top experiences, page 30), the airport offers free two-and-a-halfhour guided tours of Singapore to those with stopovers of between five and a half and 24 hours – with the option to choose between a city sights or heritage theme.
For relaxing or working before you fly, Singapore Airlines’ 24hour SilverKris first and business class lounges at Terminals 2 and 3 provide plush surroundings, buffet dining (plus à la carte in the first class sections), bars, showers and meeting rooms. Two KrisFlyer Gold lounges – located at the same terminals – allow Star Alliance Gold cardholders travelling in economy to bring a guest in with them. The Private Room at T3 offers an exclusive experience for Singapore Airlines’ First Class or Suites passengers.
Travellers can also pay to use Plaza Premium’s lounges in transit at Terminal 1, Ambassador’s transit lounges at Terminals 2 and 3, and The Haven lounge at T3 arrivals.
FORWARD THINKING
Intent on maintaining its status as a world-leading airport, Changi has ambitious development plans that are already under way. It is opening two new terminals with the aim of doubling its annual capacity to serve more than 135 million passengers in ten years’ time. Terminal 4 is due for completion next year, while the stunning Jewel complex – featuring an air-conditioned “indoor Eden” with the world’s highest indoor waterfall and thick rainforest with footbridges for exploring, plus shops and restaurants – will follow in 2018. Together, they will boost the airport’s capacity to 85 million people per year.
Also on the way is Changi East, comprising a third runway and a fifth terminal. This will increase capacity by a further 50 million people annually when it is completed some time after 2020 – giving even more people an opportunity to try this awardwinning airport.