Changi Airport Terminal 2 to fully reopen in October 2023

In May 2020, Changi Airport Terminal 2 suspended operations as the COVID-19 pandemic worsened and air travel volumes plunged. This marked the first time in Changi’s history that an entire terminal had been shut down.

Still, there was a silver lining to all this- the closure of Terminal 2 would accelerate the planned renovations by up to a year, instead of their original targeted completion date of 2024. Indeed, Terminal 2’s southern wing reopened for arrivals in May 2022, and then for departures as well in October 2022. 

Now there’s more good news: the northern wing of Changi Terminal 2 will reopen in October 2023, marking the full reopening of the terminal proper.

Details: Changi Airport Terminal 2 reopening

At the 2023 Changi Airline Awards ceremony yesterday, Transport Minister S. Iswaran announced that Changi Airport would reopen its northern wing in October 2023. 

Indeed, there were already hints that works were ahead of schedule, as flights have been departing from Gates E1, E2 and E3 (which belong to the northern wing) since late March.

Terminal 2’s renovations will see a total of 15,500 sqm added, including 20% more space for retail and F&B, and a new layout for the check-in hall and immigration areas. The project will boost Changi’s annual passenger capacity by 5 million to 90 million, and in fact, Terminal 2 will become Changi’s largest terminal until Terminal 5 comes along in the mid-2030s!

Sadly, we won’t be seeing a return of the famous Solari Boards in Terminal 2 departure hall.

These iconic displays, with their signature clack-clack-clack sounds, have been decommissioned. One board (located between rows 9 and 10) was donated to the National Heritage Board, and will be on display at an upcoming exhibition at the National Museum commencing May 2023. The fate of the other board (between rows 3 and 4) has yet to be announced.

Here’s some other interesting developments announced yesterday:

• Terminal 1’s immigration arrival halls will be given a facelift, scheduled for completion in 2025. The expanded halls will have 60% more capacity and 40% more throughput, with the number of automated lanes in each hall increased from 12 to over 40
• JetQuay will be transformed into a “premium travel hub” by 2025, featuring a refreshed interior, 20% more lounge space, new private suites and a shopping concierge. Good, because the current facility is rather dismal!
• Trials allowing passengers to fly out of Changi Airport without needing to present their passports will start at Terminal 3 in June 2023

Which airlines are operating out of Terminal 2?

Terminal 2 currently hosts 10 airlines, including Star Alliance members Lufthansa and SWISS (incidentally the only two Star Alliance airlines to offer First Class to Singapore, which means the SilverKris First Class Lounge in Terminal 3 has really become a “Solitaire PPS Lounge”!)

The following pre-COVID Terminal 2 airlines have yet to make the move back:

• ANA (T1)
• Etihad Airways (T3)
• Indigo (T1)
• LOT Polish (Not currently operating to Singapore)
• Malaysia Airlines (T1)
• United Airlines (T3)

Singapore Airlines resumed two-terminal operations in October 2022 after shifting all flights to Terminal 3 at the start of COVID. Terminal 3 handles long-haul departures, while Terminal 2 handles regional flights. 

Following the restoration of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka departures to Terminal 2, Singapore Airlines has now restored all its pre-pandemic Terminal 2 destinations, except the Maldives. Flights to Male still depart from Terminal 3. 

Singapore Airlines Lounges in Terminal 2

Singapore Airlines operates three different lounges in Changi Terminal 2, all of which have fully reopened. 

Lounge	Access
SilverKris First Class Lounge (0500-0100 hours) Review	SIA & Star Alliance First Class pax. Solitaire PPS Club members on SIA
SilverKris Business Class Lounge (24 hours) Review	All of the above, plus: SIA & Star Alliance Business Class pax. PPS Club members on SIA
KrisFlyer Gold Lounge (24 hours) Review	All of the above, plus: KrisFlyer Elite Gold & Star Gold members on SIA & Star Alliance Club Vistara Platinum & Gold, Velocity Platinum & Gold and Flying Club Gold members on SIA

While these have received some cosmetic upgrades during the COVID period, they’re decidedly inferior to their Terminal 3 counterparts in terms of facilities. If time permits, I’d highly recommend hopping over to the other terminal instead.

Remember, so long as there’s at least 90 minutes to departure, you can check in for your Singapore Airlines flight at any terminal you wish. 

In fact, if your flight is departing from the F gates in Terminal 2, it might be even better to visit the Terminal 3 lounges, since the SkyTrain from the F gates (T2) to the A gates (T3) drops you off just a short walk away from the Terminal 3 lounges.

In contrast, a passenger who wants to visit the Terminal 2 lounges would need to walk across the entire Terminal 2 concourse (and back), because the lounges are near the E gates. 

Conclusion

Singapore Changi Airport Terminal 2 will be fully reopened by October 2023, with the northern wing joining the already-operational southern wing in welcoming passengers. I’m very excited to see how the new terminal looks, and will likely plan a trip just to experience what it’s like. 

Singapore Airlines: renovated T2 lounges, please?