Singapore is set to commence construction of a new mega terminal at Changi Airport in the first half of next year, according to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The new Terminal 5 is expected to increase the airport’s capacity by an additional 50 million passengers per year and expand its network from nearly 150 destinations to over 200. The terminal is projected to be operational by the mid-2030s. Currently, Changi Airport handles a passenger flow of 90 million annually.
Changi Airport is the busiest in Southeast Asia, serving almost 60 million passengers last year. In the first half of 2024, passenger traffic at the hub nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels, noted Mr. Wong.
Other cities in the region are also expanding their airport capacities. According to data from the Airports Council International (ACI), global passenger traffic is expected to double by 2042, reaching nearly 20 billion.
“Some have announced plans to create mega airports capable of handling over 100 million passengers annually,” said Mr. Wong. “This is how they are narrowing the gap with Singapore.”
For instance, Vietnam is constructing a new hub near Ho Chi Minh City, designed to handle over 100 million passengers. At the same time, Hong Kong has committed over $18 billion to expand its international hub. According to the Centre for Aviation (CAPA), the Asia-Pacific region accounts for 60% of all new airport projects globally.
Changi’s Terminal 5 was first announced over a decade ago, but its construction was delayed for two years due to the pandemic.
