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Innovations in Changi Airport Terminal 4

Apr 28, 2025,

Notes on Changi Airport Terminal 4 Development

Introduction

  • Changi Airport, Singapore, recognized as the best airport in the world for six consecutive years.
  • Launching Terminal 4, which will be fully automated from check-in to boarding.
  • Ambition to redefine air travel through innovative technology and designs.

Expansion of Changi Airport

  • Achieved a record of 62 million passengers in 2017.
  • Global air traveler numbers expected to double to 7.2 billion by 2035.
  • Terminal 4 is part of Changi's expansion to meet increasing travel demand.

Features of Terminal 4

Automation

  • Designed to enable self-service for passengers, including check-in, bag drop, immigration, and boarding.
  • 200 volunteers participated in trials to test new technology across all automated stages.

Art and Design

  • Terminal features commissioned artworks aimed at reducing passenger stress.
  • A centerpiece kinetic sculpture, "Petal Clouds," inspired by Singapore's national flower, the orchid.
  • The artwork is engineered to be one of the world’s largest kinetic sculptures.

Greenery

  • Integrating 50,000 square meters of greenery (equivalent to five football fields) within the terminal.
  • Changi Airport’s horticulture team involved in sourcing and growing over half a million plants.
  • Plants adapted to low light levels of indoor gardens, including 12-meter tall trees.

Technological Innovations

Baggage Handling

  • Automated bag drop capable of handling over 5,400 bags hourly.
  • Use of 3D cameras for accurate bag verification to enhance security.
  • Introduction of CT scanners for security to improve efficiency and convenience for passengers.

Immigration Process

  • Implementation of facial recognition technology for efficient passenger verification.
  • Centralized security screening area designed to minimize passenger stress.

Cultural Integration

  • Design incorporates elements from Singapore’s heritage, such as pre-war shop house replicas.
  • Focus on celebrating Peranakan culture to enhance the passenger experience.

Conclusion

  • Terminal 4 is positioned as a significant advancement in air travel with a focus on technology, art, and sustainability.
  • Aiming to continue Changi Airport's legacy as a leading global transportation hub.
  • Final preparations underway as the terminal counts down to its official opening.