5 Things about the Singapore Changi Airport You Probably Didn’t Know

Unlike other airports that simply serve as a gateway to your dream destination, Singapore Changi Airport is an attraction all on its own. The airport has made a name for itself by bagging numerous accolades, including several World’s Best Airport titles and awards for the World’s Best Airport Staff and the Best Airport Staff in Asia. For many visitors who are arriving in Singapore via Changi, the smooth experience offered by the airport, as a whole, marks the very beginning of their holiday in the Lion City.

Despite the airport’s renown, however, it’s highly likely that there are plenty of things about it that you don’t know about. Perhaps getting to know the airport a little bit better will help you maximise its features and enable you to appreciate its contributions to the aviation industry. Knowing its story will help you see what it took for the airport to achieve the level of success that it’s being lauded for now, and knowing what lies ahead can make you excited for your next trip to Singapore.

Here are some of the facts about the Singapore Changi Airport that you probably don’t know:

It’s Directly Connected to a Shopping Mall

Are you looking for things to do in Singapore Airport? If you haven’t done so yet, check out the Jewel Changi Airport, a retail and entertainment center that’s been recently added to the airport complex. The lifestyle hub is a joint venture between Changi Airport Group and CapitaLand, and it opened its doors to the public in 2019. The complex is connected to Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and has a total of 10 storeys and more than 300 retail and dining outlets. More than just a shopping destination, though, Jewel Changi offers a unique experience through its nature-themed attractions. It houses Rain Vortex, the tallest indoor waterfall in the world, and it has a terraced forest environment and an array of recreation and leisure facilities at the top of the structure, among many other attractions that continue to delight locals and visitors of all ages. 

If you’re not in a hurry upon your arrival, pay the Jewel Changi a visit, or do a last-minute shopping spree here right before you leave. 

It Received Its First Best Airport Award In 1988

The airport opened in 1981 and has been in operation for a little more than 40 years. After it opened, it didn’t take long for Changi Airport to start proving itself as a world-class facility. In 1988, the airport received its first Best Airport award from Business Traveller UK. Then, on the airport’s 25^th anniversary in 2006, it took the Airport of the Year award from Skytrax for the first time. All in all, Singapore Changi Airport has been the recipient of more than 600 awards from respected institutions in the aviation and tourism industry.  

It’s Among the First Airports in the World to Introduce the Aerobridge

Singapore Changi Airport is one of the largest transportation hubs in Asia and has earned its place among the busiest airports in the world in terms of international cargo and traffic. Many passengers don’t seem to notice this, as the airport operates in a highly efficient manner and everything seems to move smoothly and quickly for the people who are arriving or departing through Changi. 

In part, the airport achieved this level of efficiency by using the newest innovations to solve challenges. For example, did you know that Changi Airport is one of the first airports in the world to use an aerobridge? An aerobridge refers to the walkway that connects the terminal gate to the plane itself. In the past, passengers boarded their planes by taking a bus and climbing a flight of stairs to get inside the plane. This changed with the introduction of the aerobridge in the 1980s, and people were able to board and disembark from their planes in comfort. The use of the bridge was such a hit with the passengers that a journalist in 1981 referred to the aerobridge as the highlight of her visit to Changi Airport. 

These days, the airport still makes use of cutting-edge technologies to improve its security, safety, and efficiency. 

It’s A Kid-Friendly Airport

Travelling with kids? Keep them entertained while in Changi Airport by visiting the numerous kid-friendly facilities in the complex. Jewel Changi Airport, the lifestyle centre connected to the airport, has plenty of activities and areas for kids, including a topiary walk, interactive art galleries that double as playgrounds, and a high-tech studio that highlights the history of Changi Airport. At the same time, there are play areas in Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 where you can watch your child blow off steam while you’re waiting for your flight. 

It’s On Track to Increase Its Capacity to 132 Million Passengers per Year

Singapore Changi Airport currently has 4 terminals, but it will add a 5^th one to the fray within the decade. The latest terminal will be larger than Terminals 1, 2, and 3 combined, and it’s expected to handle 50 million passengers per year all on its own. Currently, the airport’s peak capacity with its 4 terminals is 82 million. Changi’s about to get busier in the coming years!

Check out these features the next time you arrive or leave via Changi Airport. Better yet, you can visit the Changi Experience Studio at the Jewel Changi Airport with your  family and friends to find out new facts about the facility.