Singapore’s new pandemic-proof airport

Singapore’s world-famous Changi Airport has announced revised plans for its new state-of-the-art Terminal 5, featuring pandemic-proof design systems.

The terminal was initially slated to begin construction before the onset of Covid-19, with a heavily automated functionality, where much of the work was done by robots instead of humans. But the last two years have seen the plans tweaked to hone in on adaptability in the event of another pandemic.

The new look designs include the ability to divide the terminal into smaller sub-terminals, allowing passengers from different planes and regions to be completely separated from one another, mitigating the risk of disease spread. It will also be fitted with spaces that can be quickly converted into testing stations and isolation rooms.

While contactless check-ins and baggage drops were always part of the plans, more effort has been placed on ensuring the dependability of these systems. It will also have a secondary AC and ventilation system that can prevent air from different areas from mixing and increase the amount of fresh air being inserted into the environment. It’s expected to commence construction in the next two years.