Here are all the tech upgrades coming to Singapore’s Changi Airport Terminal 5
With the first phase slated for completion by “mid-2030s”, we take a look at some of the promised high-tech airport features that is coming to Singapore’s next mega-terminal. #changiairport #traveltech
Note: This article was first published on 15 May 2025.
An artist's impression of Changi Airport Terminal 5 when it's finally ready. Image: Changi Airport Group.
Changi Airport Group (CAG) has just announced that it has begun construction work on Changi Airport Terminal 5 (T5).
It’s a massive project by any measure. Not only was its ground-breaking ceremony officiated by the Prime Minister of Singapore, the new terminal will also see Singapore’s homegrown airlines, Singapore Airlines (SQ) and Scoot (TR), consolidate their operations at Changi Airport T5 during its first opening phase in the “mid-2030s”.
This level of investment is to make T5 a single integrated air hub for Singapore, with CAG claiming it expects 50 million passengers annually during its first phase.
Changi Airport Terminal 5 will be cutting-edge. That's a given. But how, exactly? Image: Changi Airport Group.
Per their press statement, we looked at the tech upgrades promised for T5 to see how CAG intends to address this challenge. We’ll want to see the upgrades in person when they are finally ready, but that won’t come until a few more years.
Connected to two new MRT lines
Not only will T5 have a “ground transportation centre” that houses train, bus, taxi, and other transport services, but the terminal will also be connected to both Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) and the Cross Island Line (CRL). These two MRT lines are part of Singapore's wider (and internationally lauded) public transport system. You could take these services in and out of T5 upon arrival in Singapore, or during departure.
The TEL will also be connected to the Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link Terminal at Woodlands North, an attempt to bring one of the best airports in the world to the doorsteps of Johor Bahru residents.
The terminal will also host ferry services, making it possible for local and foreign travellers to hop over to neighbouring islands for a soirée or getaway.
Future-ready in every sense
CAG is already testing both passenger-facing and back-end operations for T5 “powered by innovative technologies.” It remains to be seen which ones will actually be implemented. However, The bigger goal is to ensure it can be scaled up or down where needed and make better use of precious manpower by automating certain processes.
The terminal will also have a rooftop solar system, one of the largest in Singapore, that can generate enough power for 20,000 units of 4-room HDB flats for one year. This energy efficiency will help improve Changi Airport's carbon footprint, not just T5's.
Reduced walking distances inside T5
Speed and passenger flow are essential facets of air travel at international airports. Travellators (the flat escalators) are a crucial piece of the puzzle, alongside “automated people movers” (APM, a fancy name for internal rail systems like the existing Skytrain in Changi Airport).
Autonomous and energy-saving tech will play a huge role in the airport experience. Image: Changi Airport Group.
CAG said that the APM network will link T5 to T2. T5 itself will also be designed with intuitive wayfinding, with leading paths that bring passengers directly to boarding gates, with or without the use of APMs.
What else is coming?
Image: Changi Airport Group.
These are all preliminary tech-related enhancements to Singapore’s air travel capabilities, so be sure to stay tuned to our coverage for more cutting-edge travel tech updates.
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