Singapore Changi: The LCC’s are coming to T2 as the Budget Terminal is shut for rebuilding

In plans to expand further, it seems Singapore Changi Airport will be doing a big shuffle over the next few months, with the current “Budget Terminal” closing, and a new Terminal – to be known to all as Terminal 4 to provide Low Cost Carrier Facilities.

The current budget terminal was opened in 2006, and expanded in 2008 to handle 4.6 million passengers a year. This alas isn’t enough for the budget airlines, so a new terminal is to be built to handle 16 million passengers a year.

As it’s going to be a budget terminal, don’t expect niceties such as air-bridges. However plans are afoot to allow Wide Bodied Aircraft (such as 777’s, A330’s, A340’s etc) to be based there as the current operation allows for 10 hard stand bays for narrow body (A320 Series/737 Series) aircraft

The big day is 25th September 2012, where the following airlines will move from the Budget Terminal to Singapore T2

• Berjaya Air
• Cebu Pacific
• Firefly
• Seair
• Tiger Airways

Also on this day the Budget Terminal itself will be closed to allow demolition to begin in 2013 and a completion in 2017 of the new facility which is meant to have medium to higher end outlets inside to relieve you of the last of your Singapore Dollars. And lets face it – LCC money can be good with LCC’s making up 25.6% of total traffic at Changi.

The resiting of the LCC’s to T2 is a bit logical as there is spare capacity at this terminal at this time, with some aircraft bays being split to allow more aircraft to dock at the terminal.

With the arrival of the ASEAN Open Skies agreement (which due to go into effect in 2015), Changi is hoping to cash in.

And should provide the people to fill this new terminal.