Changi Airport Group (CAG) announced today (Apr. 6) that it will suspend operations at Terminal 2 for 18 months starting on May 1, 2020.

Air travel demand won't return to pre-Covid-19 levels in near term

It is consolidating its terminal operations at Changi Airport in view of the steep decline in passenger traffic and likelihood that air travel demand will not return to pre-Covid-19 levels in the near term, said CAG.

"This move will enable CAG and its airport partners to save on running costs such as utilities and cleaning as well as to optimise resources across the airport’s terminals to better match the low travel demand and airlines’ flight operations."

This suspension will also allow T2 to accelerate its expansion works and bring forward the completion date from 2024 to 2023.

Airlines which use Terminal 2 will be relocated to the remaining terminals. Details of the airline relocation will be published on Changi Airport's website closer to May 1, 2020.

In addition, operations at Terminal 4 (T4) have been "scaled down considerably" with only a small number of aircraft boarding gates kept in use and shops allowed to close early after the last flight for the day.

CAG added that it will consider suspending operations at T4 temporarily if the remaining airlines at the terminal choose to suspend or adjust their flight schedules.

Support measures for affected airport staff

In light of reduced consumer demand at the airport, CAG has offered its concessionaires assistance, such as a two-month rental waiver for concessions operating in T4.

It is also identifying retraining and redeployment opportunities for affected airport staff.

"For example, ground handler SATS is sending staff for training courses to train them as airside drivers to support airlines.

CAG is partnering Certis Aviation Security to streamline and right size its operations such as the deployment of security officers at pre-boarding security screening stations and at access control points to restricted areas."

Top image via Wikipedia.