The future of all airports is here!
Changi Airport Terminal 4 will be finally opening its doors to welcome its very first passengers tomorrow.
Passengers who are scheduled for the AirAsia flight from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore tomorrow will be landing at T4. The return flight is scheduled to take off from the same terminal as well.
This is part of the trials to ensure that operations will be smooth when the terminal opens its doors officially to passengers in the subsequent part of the year.
First Of Its Kind
The new systems and processes that have been tested rigorously since October 2016 will see many firsts here in Singapore.
Body scanners and a heavy dose of self-service options for passengers will be featured.
The self-service options can help to reduce reliance on manpower by tapping on the new technologies.
No airport staff will be needed starting from checking-in of bags to bag tagging, bag drops as well as immigration checks and aircraft boarding.
Security screening is the only process that requires that airport staff.
Other than the thumbprint biometric recognition, immigration clearance now consists of facial biometric recognition as well.
Systems And Processes Being Tested
Other systems and processes that are being tested include the security scanning, GST refund, baggage claim, ground transport and navigation and lastly passenger and baggage transfers.
The test flights will provide the airport with the valuable opportunity of simulating real flight situations with actual passengers.
The creation of a more realistic operating environment will enable the airport to identify the gaps that may not have been apparent earlier.
Prepared For Problems
Changi Airport Group’s Head of the T4 programme, Poh Li San said that T4 is ready for any kinks that might occur when the operations are in full swing during the actual launch.
“We have devised contingency and backup plans that will kick in when necessary so that passengers can still go through the entire check-in and departure process very smoothly.”
While this move will lead to greater efficiency, some might feel that it lacks a personal touch to the whole Changi experience. What are your thoughts on this? Are you for a “Do-It-Yourself” experience over there at T4?