Heathrow Harry
15th Feb 2014, 17:15
BBC News - Singapore Airshow: The race to become the world's best airport (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-26097348)
The race to become the world's best airport
By Puneet Pal Singh Business reporter, BBC News, Singapore
Changi Airport is installing self-boarding gates
Among the things that people dislike about travelling, queuing up at airports is arguably the most common.
Luckily for passengers travelling through and from Singapore, the city-state's airport realises this and says its new terminal will tackle the problem.
Changi airport's Terminal 4 will not only have automated self-check-in facilities, but passengers will also be able to tag and drop their bags themselves and there will be self-boarding gates - all aimed at cutting waiting times.
"We want to offer a stress-free and smooth experience to those going through Changi," says Tan Lye Teck, executive vice president of Changi Airport Group.
And the airport has a lot to gain from travellers in a happier mood.
"Shorter time spent in queues means passengers will have more time to spend in retail outlets," Mr Tan adds.
Last year, passengers spent 2bn Singapore dollars ($1.6bn; £955m) at retail outlets inside the airport.
And it is not just about keeping the travellers happy. A good airport, or the lack of one, can also have a big impact on a country's economy.
To begin with, an airport capable of handling large numbers is key to boosting tourism - a big driver of the economy in the case of Singapore and other countries in the region.
Marc Kramer, senior vice-president at HVS Global Hospitality Service, says the number of arrivals is a key area the consulting firm looks at when advising clients on potential investments.
"Airport arrivals are a key gauge for us to ascertain the strength of a destination's economy and growth in demand for hotels in the area," he told the BBC.
Singapore's airport handled more than 50 million passengers last year and with the new terminal it will have the capacity to handle a further 16 million.
The ability to handle large numbers of arrivals is also important to business travel and the catchily named meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) sector.
Changi airport has also introduced more and more technology over the years to woo passengers.
A mini-cinema, swimming pool, free massage chairs and even a butterfly garden are just some of the facilities it has put in place.
The race to become the world's best airport
By Puneet Pal Singh Business reporter, BBC News, Singapore
Changi Airport is installing self-boarding gates
Among the things that people dislike about travelling, queuing up at airports is arguably the most common.
Luckily for passengers travelling through and from Singapore, the city-state's airport realises this and says its new terminal will tackle the problem.
Changi airport's Terminal 4 will not only have automated self-check-in facilities, but passengers will also be able to tag and drop their bags themselves and there will be self-boarding gates - all aimed at cutting waiting times.
"We want to offer a stress-free and smooth experience to those going through Changi," says Tan Lye Teck, executive vice president of Changi Airport Group.
And the airport has a lot to gain from travellers in a happier mood.
"Shorter time spent in queues means passengers will have more time to spend in retail outlets," Mr Tan adds.
Last year, passengers spent 2bn Singapore dollars ($1.6bn; £955m) at retail outlets inside the airport.
And it is not just about keeping the travellers happy. A good airport, or the lack of one, can also have a big impact on a country's economy.
To begin with, an airport capable of handling large numbers is key to boosting tourism - a big driver of the economy in the case of Singapore and other countries in the region.
Marc Kramer, senior vice-president at HVS Global Hospitality Service, says the number of arrivals is a key area the consulting firm looks at when advising clients on potential investments.
"Airport arrivals are a key gauge for us to ascertain the strength of a destination's economy and growth in demand for hotels in the area," he told the BBC.
Singapore's airport handled more than 50 million passengers last year and with the new terminal it will have the capacity to handle a further 16 million.
The ability to handle large numbers of arrivals is also important to business travel and the catchily named meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) sector.
Changi airport has also introduced more and more technology over the years to woo passengers.
A mini-cinema, swimming pool, free massage chairs and even a butterfly garden are just some of the facilities it has put in place.