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 until further notice. KrisFlyer Elite Gold and Star Alliance Gold passengers departing from T2 will be eligible to access the Business Class section of the SilverKris Lounge in that terminal from 11th October 2022, or the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in T3.
“In tandem with the commencement of Terminal 2 operations, the SilverKris Lounge at Terminal 2 will also begin operations from Tuesday, 11 October 2022. Eligible customers, including KrisFlyer Gold and Star Alliance Gold Members, are invited to use the lounge.”
Singapore Airlines
That means the following departing passengers will be eligible for SilverKris Business Class Lounge access at T2 from 11th October 2022.
Flying on a Singapore Airlines flight, or on a Star Alliance member operated flight:
- in First Class or Business Class; or
- in Premium Economy or Economy Class and holding Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Gold, PPS Club or Solitaire PPS Club status, or Star Alliance Gold status.
Additionally, only when flying on a Singapore Airlines flight:
- Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum and Gold status members, in any cabin class (+1 guest)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold status members, in any cabin class (passenger only)
KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club members can bring one guest into the lounge with them, provided their guest is departing on the same Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flight, as part of a recently tightened policy.
You can still use the T3 lounges
With a T3 – T2 airside SkyTrain link in operation, those departing from T2 but wishing to use the renovated lounges in T3 will also be able to do so, simply by allowing slightly longer to reach the gate come departure time.
Singapore Airlines has confirmed to Mainly Miles that while it of course prefers passengers to check-in and use the lounge in their departing terminal, it will once again be possible to check in and proceed through immigration in T3, even for a T2 departure, saving additional time if this is your lounge use strategy.
“While we encourage customers whose flights are departing from Terminal 2 to check in at the same terminal, they may opt to check in at Terminal 3 as well.
SIA spokesperson
“Eligible customers who wish to use the lounge before their flight may visit the SilverKris Lounge at Terminal 2, or the SilverKris and KrisFlyer Gold lounges at Terminal 3.
“Customers may take the complimentary Changi Airport Skytrain inside the transit area to travel between Terminals 2 and 3. The Changi Airport Skytrain operates daily from 0430hrs to 0130hrs.
“Customers should provision ample time to travel between Terminals 2 and 3, so as to ensure they get to their boarding gate on time.”
Summary
Singapore Changi Airport will reopen the southern wing of Terminal 2 next month, and Singapore Airlines will be the first carrier to move across, shifting its departing flights heading to all South East Asia destinations across eight countries to the facility by mid-month.
A reopening of the T2 SilverKris Lounge is also in store, though no major refurbishment work has been completed at this stage, so there’s nothing particularly exciting to look forward to there.
SIA has now confirmed that this reopening also included the SKL First Class lounge in T2, which is good news for Solitaire PPS Club members and those departing in First Class to Jakarta, though they also have the option of using the T3 lounges if they prefer.
Air India and Air India Express flights will also depart and arrive at the new T2 wing from 18th October, with further airlines expected to follow.
(Cover Photo: Plane’s Portrait Aviation Media / Malcolm Lu)
No mention of Gold Lounge at T2?
Already queried this with SIA and added a note. Will update as soon as we hear back, but I’d expect eligible Golds will be accommodated in SKL J T2 initially. For 50 flights a day, they won’t need 3 lounges IMO.
That’s good news. Going KL in end Oct.
Yep fingers crossed! We’ll push out an update once we get a response.
Just confirmed – KFEG and Star Gold will be eligible to use the SilverKris Lounge in T2. No reopening of the KFG lounge at this stage.
Just thinking..if KFEG is also using the SK lounge..the guesting privileges do not stack do they?
KFEG in J +1 guest
KFEG +1 guest
Sadly not!
I am guessing one can still check in at T3 for SEA flights like pre covid and use the lounge at T3 before heading to the gate?
No reason to believe otherwise, but we have asked SIA to confirm and will update with their response.