SINGAPORE: Terminal 2 at Changi Airport will reopen in phases from May 29 to accommodate “expected increases” in passenger traffic in the coming months, the Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced on Sunday May 22.

The terminal has been closed for upgrades since May 2020. The suspension of operations at Terminal 2 was supposed to last 18 months, but this was extended amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

When the modernization works are completed by 2024, the expansion will increase the terminal’s capacity from 5 million to 28 million passenger movements per year.

“In this first phase of the gradual reopening of Terminal 2, key touchpoints such as arrival immigration, baggage claim belts and terminal south wing touchpoints will be ready for operations. aerial,” CAG said.

Terminal 2 will primarily accommodate peak hour arrival flights from airlines currently operating in Terminal 3.

A “small number” of flights departing from Terminal 3 may use the Terminal 2 gates, although passengers on these flights will continue to check in and clear departure immigration at Terminal 3, CAG said. .

The expanded Terminal 2 will have a larger immigration hall with more automated immigration lanes and special assistance lanes.

The automated immigration pathways will serve Singaporeans and Singapore residents who have registered their iris and facial biometrics with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, as well as eligible overseas visitors who have the same upon their arrival in Singapore.

“As more passengers are registered, the number of automated immigration lanes will increase,” CAG added.

“As for the special assistance lanes, they feature a wider width than conventional lanes, allowing passengers with mobility aids, as well as large family groups, to clear immigration more easily.”

There will be three collection belts at the modernized Terminal 2, including one that has been lengthened to handle more bags.

CAG’s Executive Vice President of Airport Management, Tan Lye Teck, said: “CAG is encouraged to see the strong recovery in travel demand and has worked closely with our partners to accelerate the phased reopening of Q2. ahead of the June travel peak to meet this demand.

“The start of flight operations at Terminal 2 will provide more capacity to support our airline partners, who are also preparing to serve more passengers in the coming months. Terminal 2 will reopen in phases over the next two years to support the resumption of Changi as a regional air hub.

Singapore eased COVID-19 travel restrictions on April 29 for fully vaccinated travellers.

Earlier this month, Transport Minister S Iswaran said the Terminal 5 project would resume after being suspended for two years due to “uncertainties fueled by the pandemic”.

“Given the current and projected recovery in air travel demand, we have renewed momentum to secure our infrastructural capacity for growth,” he said during the keynote speech at the Changi Aviation Summit which took place. held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on May 17.

“We took advantage of the two-year hiatus to thoroughly revamp the design of the T5 to make it more modular and flexible, and to improve its resilience and durability. We will gradually remobilize design and engineering consultants, to update and further refine the design of the T5.”