| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: Built at a cost of S$1.75 billion, Changi Airport's new terminal three (T3) will open on January 9 next year.
It will be the world's first airport to handle commercial A380 operations.
T3 will boost passenger capacity to 70 million annually.
On a tour of T3 on Monday afternoon, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew was visibly impressed by the new terminal.
Mr Lee said the new terminal is modern, convenient, and impressive; and takes Singapore to a new level of attractiveness and competitiveness.
However, Mr Lee also added a word of caution: "Competition is endless. You come up with a new terminal, somebody is going to come up with a new airport. The old airports will also come up with new terminals.
"The key is who has got the location, who is able to attract more flights and more customers. They're the people who can keep on building more modern terminals and more facilities.
"So the competition is not in the terminal itself, but the totality of your attractiveness as an aviation hub."
Mr Lee had tough questions for the airport's authorities as well - from the unique roof architecture to the flora and fauna planted at T3.
Of particular interest was 3,000 cushioned seats in the holding area, which cost about S$800 each. Mr Lee questioned the cost effectiveness and durability of the seats.
Apart from the new terminal, Mr Lee also toured the new Singapore Airlines A380.
"Of course, the aircraft is spacious, the configuration is novel, towards a certain sense of luxury, opulence," he observed.
"But please remember that Emirates have ordered 45, they'll see how we've done, they'll pick up on the good points SIA has established and they will improve on it. So, it's a constant battle without question."
Ultimately, Mr Lee said the only way to judge if a terminal works or if an aircraft is impressive, is to wait for operations to start.
- CNA/yb
|
