Margie T Logarta finds Singapore’s LCC terminal a revelation.
The move to build a customised base for low-cost carriers (LCCs) in Singapore began in early 2004, a response to the emerging regional trend in budget travel. Currently, this sector accounts for approximately 10 percent of Changi Airport’s total passenger flights, and has prospects of even further growth in the coming years, say aviation authorities. The Budget Terminal (BT), a name selected in a contest that drew 12,000 entries, opened on March 26 this year.
WHAT’S IT LIKE? BT comprises two adjacent single-storey buildings for departure and arrival respectively, covering about 25,000sq m or if you like, three football fields. Despite the no-frills ambience (no carpets for example), there has been conscientious effort to create an attractive and yet efficiently designed facility.
WHERE IS IT? Located along Airport Boulevard and five minutes’ drive from Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
GETTING AWAY: The BT Shuttle Service, which seats 22 and features luggage storage racks, provides transport between BT and the main airport, from where travellers can access the MRT trains and public buses at T2 and also transfer to T1 using the skytrain.
There is an Airport Shuttle Service which goes to any hotel in Singapore except for those on Sentosa Island and Changi Village Hotel, a six-seater MaxiCab, while a taxi rank is located outside the Arrival block.
DEPARTING: Before proceeding to the Departure Block check-in hall, passengers can scan the flight information monitors (FITVs) for details. Upon check in at any of the existing 18 counters, they receive boarding passes which do not indicate the boarding gate as this will only be reflected on the FITVs 30 minutes before departure. Then it’s the usual: passport/boarding pass check, clearing immigration and security check consisting of metal detector and X-ray machine before reaching the departure restricted area.
PRE-BOARDING AMENITIES: One would have thought he was entering a mini Changi Airport. Restaurants – located in the centre of the hall in an island-style concept – include Killiney Kopitiam, known for its kaya jam toast, and Polar Puffs and Cakes.
There are travel accessory, novelty and apparel shops (watch out for their Friday promos), money changers, ATMs, free internet access kiosk, a laptop zone, TVs featuring Channel 5 and Channel NewsAsia, an outdoor smoking terrace and even a 7-Eleven convenience store and the well-stocked Times NewsLink bookstore. The DFS range is also pretty extensive.
BOARDING: Since aerobridges are non existent, passengers walk some 20m on the tarmac, guided by markings on the floor, and ascend the mobile steps to the aircraft.
VERDICT: Changi Airport management has done another great job at designing an aviation product.
