Overview of Changi Airport Terminal 4

Apr 28, 2025

Changi Airport Terminal 4 Overview

Introduction

  • Changi Airport, Singapore, is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia.
  • Voted the best airport in the world for six consecutive years.
  • Launching Terminal 4, touted as an industry game-changer with full automation for passengers.

Automation Features

  • Passengers can self-serve from check-in to boarding.
  • Terminal 4 will feature:
    • Automated kiosks for check-in and baggage drop.
    • Automated immigration and boarding processes.
    • A centralized security screening area.
    • First airport to use computer tomography (CT) scanners for security screening.

Capacity and Growth

  • Changi Airport connects over a million passengers to 400 cities worldwide.
  • Recorded 62 million passengers in 2017, with projections to double air travelers globally by 2035.
  • Expansion of capacity to accommodate increasing passenger numbers.

Design and Ambience

  • Terminal 4 is designed to enhance passenger experience through art and greenery.
  • Features:
    • 50,000 square meters of greenery (equivalent to five football fields).
    • Artwork commissioned especially for the terminal.
    • A centerpiece kinetic sculpture called "Petal Clouds" designed after Singapore's national flower, the orchid.

Technology and Trials

  • General Manager Kelvin Tan leading the charge for the opening.
  • Volunteers participating in technology trials to simulate passenger experiences.
  • Focus on ease of use for all passengers, including those who may not be tech-savvy.
  • Initial trials included automated bag drop machines and facial recognition for security checks.

Horticulture and Green Spaces

  • Changi’s own nursery grows over 500 species of plants.
  • Planning for plants that thrive in low light conditions in the terminal.
  • Importance of greenery in setting the tone and ambiance of the terminal.

Challenges and Solutions

  • Addressing the teething problems with new technology during trials.
  • Ensuring the reliability of automated systems for bag handling and security checks.
  • Solutions include using 3D imaging technology for verifying bag sizes and contents.

Cultural Integration

  • Terminal 4's design reflects Singapore's diverse cultural heritage.
  • Replicas of colorful pre-war shop houses to celebrate Peranakan culture.
  • Digital theater stage for musical performances showcasing local culture.

Final Preparations

  • Nearing completion with final landscaping and technology tests.
  • Focus on ensuring smooth passenger processing and operations on opening day.
  • Continuing to develop new concepts and technologies for future expansions.

Conclusion

  • Terminal 4 represents the future of air travel with its automated systems, artistic elements, and emphasis on passenger experience.
  • Changi Airport aims to maintain its status as a global leader in aviation services.