Changi's T5 to cater to 50m passengers per year

The new terminal 5 at Singapore's Changi Airport is set to be one of the largest terminals in the world, with have an initial passenger handling capacity of 50 million per year.

When it begins operations in mid-2020s, it will boost the airport's total handling capacity to 135 million passengers per year.

Changi Airport will also begin operating on a three-runway system from around 2020, instead of the current two.

Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo, who is chairing the Changi 2036 steering committee, gave these details on the expansion plans for the airport on Friday.

Terminal 5 will be built on a 1,080 hectare reclaimed site at Changi East. It will be linked to the other terminals at Changi Airport to make it easier for transfers and for airfield operational efficiency.

The terminal will also be connected to the MRT network and sited near to hotels and offices.

To the north of the terminal, land has also been set aside for facilities for airfreight and air express operators as well as maintenance, repair and overhaul activities.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will be seeking views from stakeholders over the next two months to refine the layout of the terminal. A concept plan is expected to be finalised in the first half of 2014, before works begin in the second half of 2014.

To make way for an integrated airfield, the existing Changi Coast Road will be diverted and replaced with a new road and park connector further east, along the eastern coastline.

The existing Runway 3, currently used by the military, will be extended from 2.75km to 4km to handle larger passenger aircraft.

Almost 40km of new taxiways will also be built to connect the runway with the current airport and to allow for efficient aircraft movement.

New facilities such as navigation aids, airfield lighting systems and a fire station will need to be built.

Planning and preparatory works for the project have already started.

Mrs Teo said the developments at Changi East require careful coordination and will stretch over several terms of government.

She said: "For passengers, Changi must mean superior connectivity, convenience and comfort. So these plans are significant because they strengthen our air hub.

"But there is also special meaning for Singaporeans. Changi connects us to the world and the plans open the path to new business and job opportunities. That is really the bigger story to be told."

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