Last Updated on 2021-03-12 , 3:51 pm
Scrolling through Insta, it often feels like everyone is travelling. What can we say, S’poreans just adore travelling. And with new airport terminals being built one after the other (first T4, now the new Seletar airport terminal), it’s never been easier to travel.
Here are 10 facts about the new terminal that open from Dec 18, and why we’re all rejoicing at its:
10 Facts About Seletar Airport Terminal
1. $80 million Spent to Build Seletar Airport
Considering that T4 cost a whopping $985 million to build, the cost of the new Seletar airport terminal is actually very low.
Splash the cash they said.
2. Six times larger than the original terminal
Just coz it doesn’t cost as much as its shinier, ritzier cousin, doesn’t mean there’s no substance. In fact, the new two-storey, 10,000 sqm terminal is expected to be able to handle up to 700,000 passengers a year.
To put it into context, that’s about 26 times more than the amount of traffic the old Seletar terminal was receiving just two years ago in 2016. Talk about an upgrade.
3. Construction of Seletar Airport is part of a larger renewal plan
Seletar Airport has come far since its WWII days as a military base for the British Allied forces.
Currently, the airport is managed by Changi Airport Group (CAG) and since 2008, has undergone an intense makeover (think Anne Hathaway in Princess Diaries kind of magic).
The construction of the new Seletar airport terminal is the latest in several enhancements (such as the lengthening of the runway and construction of a new control tower) of the old airport terminal.
4. New facilities galore
Tempers run short and patience runs thin when check-in queues or immigration customs take forever. Candidly, crying babies on the plane are only slightly worse than lengthy waiting times at the airport.
Luckily, the departure area at the new Seletar airport is set to eliminate these potential congestion problems, with four check-in counters, six immigration lanes, two security screening stations and a gatehold room big enough for about 200 passengers.
Three additional aircraft parking stands will also be implemented next to the terminal, to increase the efficiency of plane turnarounds and the convenience of boarding.
5. A separate area for privileged passengers
Passengers travelling on chartered business flights and private jets will get their own private area for faster check-in, private drop-offs, and more comfortable waiting lounges.
Exclusive we know, but you pay for what you get.
6. Turboprop planes will be moved to Seletar Airport
Select turboprop airlines such as Firefly (a small airline that just flies between Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and of course Singapore, though most of its destinations are in Malaysia cities) will operate from Seletar once the new terminal opens. This will free up capacity at Changi for bigger planes, and optimise available resources for the rapidly expanding aviation industry in S’pore.
This will also allow airlines like Firefly to scale, whilst attracting investments from new turboprop airlines to operate in S’pore.
Which brings us to the most important point.
7. An alternative international tourism and air hub
Changi Airport is us S’porean’s pride and joy.
The new Seletar air terminal will complement Changi as one of the best airports in the world, by offering services with more affordable flight options from Singapore to several travel destinations, such as Peninsular Malaysia and neighbouring Sumatra through the establishment of more turboprop airlines.
Perfect for all the budget travellers and cheapos out there.
8. Cheaper airport fees and levies than Changi Airport
Firefly, one of the few existing turboprop airlines in S’pore, currently offers 20 daily flights at Changi Airport to and from Subang, Ipoh and Kuantan.
After the construction of the new Seletar airport terminal, Firefly passengers, who pay $47.30 in airport fees and levies at Changi, will be charged a more reasonable $29 instead at the Seletar terminal.
Because, you know, flying out of the country isn’t expensive. It’s parking at Changi Airport that’s costly.
9. Lack of public transportation options
Netizens have however, raised concern over a lack of easy public transport access to Seletar airport terminal. The terminal is about as ulu as it gets, with no public bus service nor MRT station located in the vicinity. That leaves passengers with taxi/Grab/car options, but we all know how expensive those options can get, especially during peak period hours.
Luckily, CAG is already on it, and looking into building transport connections to and from Seletar airport by the time the terminal is completed at the end of the year.
To which we say, please take pity on our wallets, CAG. Pocket already got hole.
10. Limited F&B options and zero duty-free stores
Hangry people beware, the new Seletar airport terminal will have just one F&B kiosk serving quick bites for all passengers. Shopping options will also be limited, with no duty free stores on site due to limited space.
Contingency measures are currently under consideration, with CAG purportedly thinking of implementing a collection point at the terminal for passengers to shop at its online duty-free website iShopChangi.
Just think of this airport as a domestic airport that you’ve often seen in other countries lah. Or an upgraded MRT station #justsaying
Featured Image: BPYF / Shutterstock.com
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