Prime Minister Lawrence Wong officially broke ground for Changi Airport’s Terminal 5 (T5), making the beginning of construction for what is set to be one of the world’s most advanced and sustainable airport terminals.
First announced in 2013, the T5 project is a collaboration between the Ministry of Transport (MOT), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), and the Changi Airport Group (CAG).
After a two-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, plans were revised to incorporate modular design, greater operational resilience, and enhanced environmental sustainability.
When completed in the mid-2030s, the first phase of Terminal 5 will have the capacity to handle 50 million passengers annually. It will be part of the 1,080-hectare Changi East development, nearly the size of Changi Airport today.
T5 is designed to integrate air, land, and sea travel, allowing seamless connections for both passengers and cargo.
It will be linked directly to Singapore’s city centre via the Thomson-East Coast MRT Line, and will also connect to major transport nodes such as Jurong Lake District and Punggol Digital District through the upcoming Cross Island Line.
Its proximity to Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal opens opportunities for air-sea transfers, making T5 a vital multimodal hub.
T5 will be among Singapore’s most environmentally friendly buildings, achieving Green Mark Platinum Super Low Energy standards. It will feature one of the largest rooftop solar systems in the country, enough to power around 20,000 four-room HDB flats a year as well as energy-efficient cooling systems and infrastructure ready for Sustainable Aviation Fuel.
Drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, the terminal will include contactless systems, enhanced ventilation, and flexible spaces that can be adapted for public health emergencies.
A key innovation is the use of automation and artificial intelligence across operations. Trials are already underway for baggage-handling robots, video analytics for aircraft turnaround, and the development of an Integrated Operations Centre to improve situational awareness and crisis response.
Officials say this transformation will help increase manpower productivity and create quality jobs in areas such as robotics, AI, and sustainable aviation technologies.
The area surrounding T5 will feature a Changi East Urban District (CEUD), envisioned as a business and lifestyle hub with new spaces for work, leisure, and community activities.
With air travel in the Asia-Pacific expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades, Terminal 5 will serve as a future-ready gateway, helping to ensure that Singapore remains one of the world’s most important aviation and logistics hubs.
Shahriena Shukri is a journalist covering business and economic news in Malaysia, providing insights on market trends, corporate developments, and financial policies. More about Shahriena Shukri.
