In response to the emerging trend of low cost carriers (LCCs) in Asia, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) decided to build a customised terminal, which is now called ‘Budget Terminal’, for LCCs after it received firm commitment from Tiger Airways to use such a terminal. The terminal is located along Airport Boulevard, near Changi Airport.

CAAS had earlier announced that the operating costs at the Budget Terminal would be kept low to meet the needs and operating models of LCCs. In line with this objective, the compact layout of the single-storey terminal has no need for travellators, escalators and aerobridges.

The Budget Terminal will offer other services such as a free shuttle bus service to link passengers from the Budget Terminal to Changi Airport’s existing terminals, and vice versa.

Other services and facilities such as money changers, Internet terminals, duty-free shopping, and food and beverage outlets will also be available at the Budget Terminal.

The construction and other related costs of the Budget Terminal is about S$45 million. The 25,000 square metres terminal comprises two adjacent single-storey buildings for departure and arrival and is about the size of three football fields, or about a tenth of the size of Changi Airport’s Terminal 1. The terminal will initially be able to handle about 2.7 million passengers per annum and there is scope for further expansion should more airlines decide to use it. The Budget Terminal was completed in December 2005 and will be opened for operations on 26 March 2006.

2 The Budget Terminal will be equipped with the following:

a) 18 Departure Check-in Counters

b) 24 Departure/Arrival Immigration Counters

c) 12 Departure/Arrival Immigration Auto Clearance System (IACS) Counters

d) 7 Departure Gates

e) 10 Aircraft Parking Bays

f) 3 Arrival Baggage Claim Belts

g) Open Carpark for about 300 cars

h) Others:

(i) GST Refund Counter [Departure Lounge (Restricted Area)]

(ii) Flight Information Display Televisions (Departure and Arrival Buildings)

Up to 3,000 square metres of floor space have been set aside for retail and food & beverage (F&B) outlets at both the restricted and public areas of the Budget Terminal. In all, there will be 13 retail outlets (including 2 duty-free shops) selling perfumes and cosmetics, liquor and tobacco, snacks and tidbits, gifts and novelties, chocolates and candies, fashion and accessories, books and magazines, convenience store, sporting goods and general merchandise as well as 4 food kiosks and 1 restaurant at the terminal.

The mix of retail and F&B outlets at the Budget Terminal is chosen to deliver ‘value’ and ‘variety’ for passengers. For example, the duty-free shops selling cosmetics, perfumes, liquor and tobacco will allow passengers to make value purchases and enjoy cost savings while there will be a wide variety of shops for passengers to shop in.

The passenger facilities and services available at the Budget Terminal include:

- Free Budget Terminal Shuttle Service (for transfer between Budget Terminal and Changi Airport Terminal 2)

- Public Phones and Free Local Calls (Restricted Areas)

- Free Internet Terminals in the Departure Lounge (Restricted Area)

- Televisions in the Departure Lounge (Restricted Area)

- Self Automated Machine (SAM) for stamps and Post Box

- Automated Teller Machines

- Vending Machines

- Money Changers

- Passenger Meeting Services

- Hotel Reservations

- Airport Shuttle Service to hotels in the city

Departure

Departing passengers should proceed to the Departure Building, Check-in Hall, to check-in for their flights. Passengers can identify the correct check-in counter using the Flight Information TVs (FITVs), before proceeding to the check-in counters.

After checking-in, passengers will clear departure immigration and undergo security screening checks before entering the Departure Lounge (Restricted Area).

While in the Departure Lounge, passengers can make use of the free Internet terminals or watch television programmes while waiting for their flights. There will also be retail and F&B outlets within the Departure Lounge for passengers to shop or to have some refreshments before proceeding to the boarding gates. Passengers should refer to the FITVs in the Departure Lounge for the boarding gates assigned to their flight.

As there will be no aerobridges, passengers will have to walk approximately 20 metres on the tarmac to the aircraft and walk up mobile steps to board the aircraft.

Arrival

Arriving passengers will disembark from the aircraft using mobile steps and walk on the tarmac for approximately 20 metres to the terminal building.

Passengers will then walk up a ramp and along a covered link-way before reaching the Arrival Building for arrival immigration clearance.

After arrival immigration clearance, passengers will collect their checked-in luggage from the baggage claim belts, before clearing through the customs checkpoint.

a) Free Budget Terminal Shuttle Service

Passengers are able to shuttle conveniently between the Budget Terminal and Changi Airport by taking the Free Budget Terminal Shuttle Service. The pick-up/drop-off point at Changi Airport is the Terminal 2 Basement Bus Bay (Bus 36 bay area). The pick-up/drop-off point at the Budget Terminal is the shuttle bus stop. Through the shuttle service, passengers can also access the MRT trains and public buses at Terminal 2.

b) Airport Shuttle Service to Hotels in the City

Airport shuttle services are available for travel between the Budget Terminal and hotels in the city at S$7 per passenger. This is similar to Changi Airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Passengers can approach the shuttle service counter at the Arrival Building to make arrangements.

c) Private Vehicles

The Budget Terminal is located along the Airport Boulevard. There will be road signs to lead drivers to the Budget Terminal. An open carpark for about 300 vehicles will be available in front of the Budget Terminal.

d) Taxis

Taxi operators will be operating at the Budget Terminal. The taxi fare surcharge for taxis plying the Budget Terminal will be the same as at Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

e) Public Buses

There are existing bus stops located along Airport Boulevard to serve the Budget Terminal as well as the SATS in-flight catering centre and Airport Police Station.

Those taking the public bus will need to walk about 10 to 15 minutes from the bus stop to the Budget Terminal and vice versa. For greater convenience, visitors to the Budget Terminal are advised to alight at Terminal 2 Basement Bus Bay (Bus 36 bay area) and transfer to the Free Budget Terminal Shuttle Service plying between the Budget Terminal and Terminal 2.