The Hindu Business Line : Changi airport: Check into the JetQuay Terminal

The next time you fly through Singapore, forget the hustle and bustle of the airport and instead whiz through the Commercially Important Person (CIP) Terminal.

Or, if you are on a shoe-string budget and yet want to travel through the island state, fly with one of the airlines that uses the low-cost terminal available at Changi airport. Otherwise, you can exercise the option of flying through the regular terminal used by a host of airlines, including Air India, Indian, Jet Airways and Air Sahara to operate their regular flights from India.

Self-contained facility

JetQuay terminal, which opened late this year, is targeted at the CIP market. Asia's first luxury facility for passengers travelling on commercial or private aircraft is located next to terminal 2 at Changi airport. The self-contained facility enables passengers travelling on all airlines in any class to be served in privacy and comfort.

At the highest level of service, passengers using JetQuay are met by a personal concierge at the entrance who assists with check-in, Customs, immigration and security procedures. They are then transported by limousine to either their private or commercial aircraft. They can also be escorted through a private driveway using separate routes located away from the main terminals to their final destination within the island city.

Besides, the CIP terminal has a business centre, meeting rooms and a transit conference room for passengers wanting to transit through Singapore, yet wishing to conduct meetings with locals while at the airport. Sleeping rooms are available for those who wish to relax in between flights. There is also a mini-gymnasium, a spa, a bar and a bistro. The usage of CIP terminal is mainly based on membership, that is available from Singapore S$1,000 per annum plus a one-time Singapore $1,000 joining fee. Separate fee is charged via a point system for using different services.

Budget terminal

For those on a shoe-string budget and flying low-cost carriers, there is the budget terminal, which became operational in March this year. The terminal is being called the first completed LCC terminal in Asia.

"The landing fee for the airlines using the low-cost terminal is the same. However, the passenger charges are lower at S$7 and the airlines save on aerobridge fees. There are also some shops and dining areas in the terminal," said the Director, Civil Aviation, Authority of Singapore, Mr Goh Yong Long. CAAS runs and owns Changi airport.

A handful of airlines, including Tiger Airways, now use the LCC terminal. In addition, the existing terminal 2, which opened in 1990, has also been given a facelift with new commercial areas for shopping and dining at the departure and arrival halls and departure and transit malls.

Getting set for Terminal 3

Despite all these developments, Changi airport, which celebrates its silver jubilee this year, is already working towards getting Terminal 3 ready for travellers from early 2008. The 3,80,000 sq m terminal, which is located directly opposite terminal 2, is seven-storied with three basements and four above the ground levels.

"The terminal features a unique roof architecture that allows soft natural light into the building while keeping the tropical heat out. The roof has 900 skylights with especially designed reflector panels that automatically adjust to allow an optimal amount of soft and uniform daylight into the terminal," said the Executive, CAAS, Ms Nadine Kang.

Another highlight of the proposed terminal is a five-storied high vertical garden called the `green wall' that is covered with climbing plants and interspersed with four cascading waterfalls.

When ready, it will add another 28 aerobridge gates to the airport, including eight designed to handle new generation large aircraft such as the Airbus A-380.

Incidentally, the completion of terminal 3 that will have a passenger handling capacity of 20 million passengers annually, will boost Changi's passenger handling capacity to 64 million passengers or 16 times more than the current population of Singapore.