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The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)
is embarking on a S$10million expansion project at Singapore's Budget
Terminal (BT) - a customised terminal that offers airlines a low cost
operation option. |
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The expansion works, which will take place
from around July 2008 to early 2009, will increase the terminal’s
handling capacity from the current 2.7 million passengers per annum to 7
million. In addition, the expansion will also increase the floor area of
the BT from 25,000sqm to 28,700sqm. |
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After almost two years of operations, the
terminal's expansion is necessary to keep ahead of the air traffic
growth at the BT. |
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In 2007, about 1.77 million passengers
passed through the BT. In all, the BT has served about 2.9 million
passengers since it opened on 26 March 2006. The number of weekly
scheduled flights at the BT, operated by Tiger Airways and
Philippines-based carrier, Cebu Pacific Air, has also increased from 124
in March 2006 to 248 in February 2008, representing a healthy growth of
100 per cent. |
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Today, the BT is connected to 20 cities in
the region, up from 12 cities when it first opened. |
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Director-General and Chief Executive
Officer, CAAS, Mr Lim Kim Choon, said, "When we first decided to
build the Budget Terminal about three years ago, no one could
accurately predict the success of low cost travel in this region.
With increased air transport liberalisation in this region,
airlines, including low cost carriers, have now greater
opportunities to rapidly expand their air network and increase
their flight operations." |
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He added, "The expansion of the Budget
Terminal to increase its handling capacity is timely as we expect
passenger traffic to increase further with ASEAN's goal to remove all
restrictions on passenger flights between ASEAN capitals by December
2008. The increased handling capacity can last us through the next few
years." |
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The expansion project will involve the
addition of seven check-in counters as well as the installation of
additional baggage handling equipment. Three more passenger boarding
gates will be constructed, bringing the total number of boarding gates
to ten. The kerbside at the arrival hall will be widened to create more
room for arriving passengers waiting for vehicles to pick them up. |
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The BT is located less than two kilometres
away, or a 5-minute drive, from Changi Airport's Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Free shuttle bus services plying between the BT and Terminal 2
facilitate travellers at Changi Airport who may need to catch a
connecting flight to / from the BT. There are shops and service
concessions as well as food & beverage outlets at the BT. Free services
such as internet access and local telephone call facilities are also
available for passengers. |
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Expansion of Singapore’s Budget Terminal |
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The BT expansion project will involve the
following works:
Departure Hall
· Installation of seven additional
check-in counters from 18 to 25
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Installation of two additional airline
service counters from three to five;
Boarding Area and Arrival
Baggage Claim Area
· Construction of three new passenger
boarding gates with a total floor area of 3,600sqm to bring the total
number of boarding gates to ten;
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Installation of additional baggage handling
equipment;
Arrival Hall
· Widening of the arrival kerbside,
increasing the floor area by 100sqm to create more room for arriving
passengers waiting for vehicles to pick them up. |
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More..... |
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Source:
www.caas.gov.sg Media Release
6 Mar 2008 |
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FrontPage Edition: Thu 6 March 2008
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