Changi's budget terminal closes on Sept 25

Here are 5 key preparations for the swift transition of airline operations to terminal 2.

With the closure of the Budget Terminal (BT) at Singapore Changi Airport on 25 September 2012, airlines currently operating at the terminal – Berjaya Air, Cebu Pacific, Firefly, Mandala Airlines, South East Asian Airlines and Tiger Airways – will move their operations to Terminal 2 on that day.

Changi Airport Group (CAG) has implemented measures to ensure a smooth transition for the airlines while passenger facilities at Terminal 2 are undergoing upgrading works so that service levels will continue to be high. CAG has actively engaged its airline partners to prepare for the move.

1. CAG ensured that ground handlers and service staff are trained and ready to operate in the new terminal.

2. Since April 2012, CAG has also reassigned the check-in counters for existing carriers in Terminal 2 to accommodate the BT airlines.

3. Improvements are being made to key touch points in Terminal 2 to enhance the travelling experience for passengers. For example, the Departure and Arrival Immigration areas are currently being upgraded to increase the number of automated immigration gantries. In addition, the taxi waiting area in the Arrival Hall will be expanded and additional taxi

4. The move of the six BT airlines to Terminal 2 will see the addition of some 790 weekly flights. In terms of passenger movements, Terminal 2 and BT managed about 13 million and 5 million respectively in the past year.  Terminal 2 can handle up to 23 million passenger movements a year and managed 21.6 million passenger movements in 2007, just before the opening of Terminal 3 in January 2008.

5. With more passengers expected to come through Terminal 2, plans are also in place to boost the manpower of ancillary service providers such as trolley retrievers, taxi coordinators and cleaners. CAG is also working with key partners such as theImmigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore, Singapore Customs and Certis CISCO to ensure adequate manning, especially during peak hours. CAG is also working with key partners such as the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority of Singapore, Singapore Customs and Certis CISCO to ensure adequate manning, especially during peak hours.