Singapore Changi Airport will reopen the southern wing of Terminal 2 next month, after reopening a small section to handle some arriving passengers back in May this year, which will further accommodate the return of travel demand following the relaxation of most COVID-19 restrictions both here and abroad.
Singapore Airlines is set to be the first tenant of the reopened facility, with the airline operating its flights to Thailand and Malaysia from T2 starting on 11th October 2022.
That will mean check-in and departure processing at T2 itself, not through T3, which is the current arrangement even if your flight is assigned a T2 gate.
SIA will debut T2’s departure restart
SQ104 to Kuala Lumpur and SQ706 to Bangkok, both scheduled for 7.10am on 11th October 2022, will presumably be the first flights to use the reopened T2 check-in rows and departure hall, but that’s still subject to confirmation closer to the time.
A total of 18 departing SIA flights should use T2 on the first day of operation.
Two days later, from 13th October 2022, all the carrier’s South East Asia flights will depart from T2, incorporating services destined for the following countries and cities:
- Brunei
(BWN) - Cambodia
(PNH, REP) - Indonesia
(CGK, DPS, KNO, SUB) - Malaysia
(KUL, PEN) - Myanmar
(RGN) - Philippines
(CEB, DVO, MNL) - Thailand
(BKK, HKT) - Vietnam
(DAD, HAN, SGN)
This will represent around 330 weekly passenger departure flights, based on the airline’s current schedule, close to 50 flights per day.
Based on planned aircraft types, we calculated that up to 11,200 Singapore Airlines passengers will potentially pass through T2 departures each day by that stage, assuming all flights are full.
Prior to COVID-19, SIA’s flights departing for Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka also departed from T2, however these are set to remain in T3 for the time being, along with those heading to all other destinations.
Do note that SIA flights arriving at Changi will continue to be assigned gates at either T1, T2 or T3, with the information published by the airport and airline around two hours before the estimated arrival time.
More airlines will follow
Singapore Airlines isn’t the only carrier moving across to Terminal 2 next month.
CAG has confirmed that the following carriers will make the move.
Airlines moving to Changi T2
| Airline | Current Terminal |
Relocation to T2 | |
 |
Singapore Airlines (SQ) Thailand and Malaysia departures only |
 |
11 October |
|
Singapore Airlines (SQ) All South East Asia departures |
|
13 October |
 |
Air India (AI) |
 |
18 October |
|
Air India Express (IX) |
|
18 October |
Further airlines are expected to join the fold in due course, subject to separate announcement.
Refreshed design
As you probably know, Changi T2 is currently in the process of receiving a full makeover with a brand new design, which we’ve already seen taking shape in the small reopened arrivals area.
Expect more of the latest design features like this in the reopened departures hall, which CAG says boasts a “contemporary design concept… inspired by elements of nature”.
Ultimately once the northern wing of Terminal 2 is fully completed by 2024, the facility will be the airport’s largest, with a capacity for 28 million passengers per year, 5 million more than pre-renovation.
| Capacity of Changi’s Terminals (2020 – 2024) | ||
| Terminal | Capacity 2020 |
Capacity 2024 |
| T1 | 24m | 24m |
| T2 | 23m | 28m |
| T3 | 22m | 22m |
| T4 | 16m | 16m |
| Total | 85m | 90m |
A significant 15,500 square metres will be added to the terminal’s original floor space, and once completed the project will boost Changi’s annual passenger capacity to 90 million.
This will secure the airport’s passenger capacity through to the opening of Terminal 5 in the 2030s.
T2 goes automated
The reopened section of T2 will feature some of the latest technological enhancements seen at T1 and T4 in recent years, including automated check-in kiosks, where passengers can self-serve if they wish, and automated immigration clearance gates.
These primarily use facial recognition, rather than thumbprints, for identification – a definite plus given continued emphasis on hygiene and a ‘touchless’ journey due to the pandemic.
Facilities
A full list of retail offerings at the reopened T2 wing has not been published at this stage, however CAG has revealed that both Starbucks and SingPost outlets will be available, alongside “a number of familiar shops and services… returning to their original store locations”.
A third party lounge and the T2 transit hotel will also be reopening.
“With a refreshed design, upgraded systems and a high degree of automation across the passenger journey, T2 will enable Changi to serve our passengers better as we prepare for a busier year-end holiday peak. CAG will work closely with our airline and airport partners to welcome more passengers at T2.”
Tan Lye Teck, EVP Airport Management, CAG
T2 SilverKris Lounges to reopen
Singapore Airlines will also reopen its SilverKris Lounges in Terminal 2, which were shuttered when the facility closed back in mid 2020 and the carrier consolidated its operations in Terminal 3 for the majority of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Eligible Singapore Airlines customers may use the SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport Terminal 2.
Changi Airport Group
According to the airline’s statement to the media during the opening of the latest T3 lounges, the T2 SilverKris facility does not feature the latest redesign at this stage, so we expect only a minor refresh from the original furnishings and decor (at best).
It certainly won’t last until the mid-2030s (when T5 opens) without some TLC, so let’s hope its design can be brought up to the latest standards in the years ahead.
Here’s how you can expect the lounge to look in the meantime:
Update: Singapore Airlines has confirmed that both the First Class and Business Class sections of the T2 SilverKris Lounge will reopen on 11th October 2022.
The KrisFlyer Gold Lounge is undergoing refurbishment works, and will will not be reopening un