G L OB A L AWA R D S
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t’s no surprise that Singapore Changi has been named the World’s Best Airport for the fourth consecutive
year. The Southeast Asian hub is well- known for its easy transit experience, the lush Jewel complex and pristine design. Never resting on its laurels, though, it is transforming into an airport of the future as it installs passenger- friendly and tech upgrades while breaking ground on a new Terminal 5 this year (set to open in the 2030s). These days, it takes approximately ten seconds to clear departure immigration (60 per cent faster than before), thanks to its passport-less biometric clearance system designed for both Singaporeans and foreign visitors. By using facial and iris scans to speed up the process, travellers have time to shop, relax or enjoy lounges at all four of its terminals. And that’s just what Singapore-based Aaron Wong loves about the airport. “It’s probably the only airport in the world where you can disembark from an aircraft and be in a taxi within 15 minutes (my personal best is around 13 minutes),” he says. Wong, who founded travel blog The MileLion, also notes that while Star Alliance member Singapore Airlines is based there, Changi has a wide array of fantastic lounges. If you have enough time and access, he says, you can create your own “lounge-hopping safari”, visiting several for a progressive dinner while exploring the airport. But that’s not all. More than S$2 billion (US$1.54 billion) is being invested to
FROM LEFT: The world- famous Jewel and its iconic waterfall; Dreamscape, in Terminal 2, features 20,000 plants of more than 100 species; Steel in Bloom sculpture in Terminal 4
‘It takes approximately ten seconds to clear departure immigration’
upgrade the airport and enhance everything from its baggage and check- in systems to Skytrain connections between terminals. This includes a rooftop baggage conveyance system that will add another way to move bags between terminals, relieving pressure on the existing belts. With Asia-Pacifc travel demand estimated to grow signifcantly over the next few decades, Singapore is preparing its facilities to handle next- generation aircraft not yet in use. There are even new custom-made ceiling robots nimble enough to crawl into small nooks and crannies to inspect and photograph potential problems, such as leaks or electrical issues, which humans might not be able to easily access. The smallest device is the size of a banana. This technology has saved the airport countless hours of man power and expense and is becoming a poster child for the use of operational AI that other airports can follow. That’s not to mention the team of
smiley-faced robots that clean the terminals day and night. There’s also Changi Airport’s new AI-driven Aircraft 360 concept. It monitors potential fight delays and uses real-time, predictive analysis to improve how the airport assigns gates for faster turnaround times. It also makes better use of staffng (such as ground handlers and caterers), boosting efficiency and minimising further delays to avoid any domino effect for later fights. Changi has proven that it is a symbol
of innovation in the aviation world while also becoming a source of national pride for locals.
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025 BUSINESS TRAVELLER ASIA-PACIFIC 53
IMAGES PANG YUHAO/UNSPLASH, CHANGI AIRPORT GROUP
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