Changi Airport Terminals 1 & 3 Reopens To The Public

Changi Airport Terminals 1 and 3 have reopened to the public on Wednesday, 1 September 2021, a week before the September school holidays. Shops and restaurants have reopened in Terminals 1 and 3, although some tenants have given up their space. Along with the reopening, there is free parking offered at Terminal 3, and Around The World at Changi Airport travel-themed exhibitions around Terminals 1 and 3.

Changi Airport Terminals 1 and 3 had been closed to non-travellers since 13 May 2021 after a cluster of COVID-19 cases was identified.

Zonal Segregation in Arrival Halls

Among additional reopening precautions, there is now zonal segregation implemented in the Arrival Halls, to ensure that arriving passengers and airport visitors do not cross paths. This means that the Arrival Hall is largely out of bounds to the public.

The Departure Hall and the rest of the terminal building remains open to the public as usual.

Air Quality Enhancements

The terminals’ air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems have also been enhanced with hospital grade MERV-14 filters and installation of UV-C sanitization in the air-conditioning systems, as well as portable air purifiers with HEPA filters in the main dining area at the Kopitiam food court.

Free Parking at Terminal 3

Free Parking is offered at Terminal 3 from 10am – 11pm from 1 September 2021 to 10 October 2021. To qualify for the free parking, drivers must enter the carpark after 10am and exit by 11pm. Vehicles entering or exiting outside the specified period will be charged the full parking fees computed from the time of entry. Free parking is only valid at Terminal 3’s Car Parks 3A and 3B.

The full terms and conditions can be found here.

On-Demand Skytrain

The on-demand Skytrain is back in operation for the public. Wave at the touch-free sensor beside the platform screen doors to call for the on-demand Skytrain.

The on-demand Skytrain saves the long walk to Jewel from Changi Airport MRT Station via Terminal 3.

Around The World at Changi Airport

The Around The World at Changi Airport travel-themed exhibitions are laid around the Public Areas of Terminals 1 and 3. While you can’t freely fly around the world now, you can still sort of pretend that you are travelling through Changi Airport, rather than from Changi Airport.

London & Sweden

The London and Sweden exhibits are located side by side at Terminal 3 Basement 2 opposite Kopitiam.

The exhibitions are laid out for convenient photo-taking, with an additional queue space prepared.

Australia & Indonesia

The Australia and Indonesia exhibits are located side by side at Terminal 3 Departure Hall in front of departure immigration.

Indonesia

On the front, the Indonesia exhibit features Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, with Mbaru Niang and a komodo dragon.

On the back, the Indonesia exhibit features Munduk, Bali, with the Handara Gate and a surfboard.

Information boards are placed in front of the exhibits.

Australia

On the front, the Australia exhibit features Surfers Paradise, complete with a beach and waves.

On the back, the Australia exhibit features Uluru, also known as Ayers Rock, complete with a kangaroo.

Information boards are placed in front of the exhibits.

South Korea

The South Korea exhibits are located at Terminal 3 Departure Hall opposite Check-in Row 11. The exhibit leads in with Gwanghwamun (광화문 / 光化門), the main and largest gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace.

The exhibition leads in with Hongdae Pocha (홍대포차), representing eateries around Hongik University that cater to students. No eating or drinking is allowed here though.

A backdrop of Namsan and the N Seoul Tower, with traditional hanoks along alleyways in that area.

Dol hareubangs are found in Jeju, and are considered to be gods offering both protection and fertility, and were placed outside of gates for protection against demons travelling between realities.

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong exhibit is located at Terminal 3 Departure Hall next to Mei Kee Bakery before the Skytrain station. And yeah I’m going to be biased with this exhibit because of the thing on the right.

Yes, indeed, I have missed the opening of quite a few MTR stations and lines already.

To the right of the exhibit is a mockup of Hong Kong Tramways’ antique-style double-decker tram Nos. 28 and 128. These operate as private hire trams though, not something you can hop on and tap with your Octopus freely.

A Hong Kong-style directional sign is placed in front of the tram, although albeit inaccurate. PSA: You can’t walk from Causeway Bay to Tsim Sha Tsui.

China

The China exhibit is located at Terminal 1 Level 3 next to Andes before the Viewing Mall.

A model of the Terracotta Army from Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum in Xi’an is fitted in the China exhibit. Unlike the mausoleum though, you can walk beside the terracotta warriors here.

Conclusion

Around The World at Changi Airport might encourage more people to go to Changi Airport and Jewel for a dine-in meal (fully vaccinated or PET), since it might be an after-meal activity when walking around the airport to get back home via the MRT from Terminal 3. Opening up the Departure Halls will also make for less awkward send-offs for those departing Singapore during this period of time, which was restricted to driveways, car parks, and Jewel for the past 4 months or so.

Crowds were thin on the first day of opening, being a weekday. Perhaps crowds will start to return to Changi Airport this weekend and during the September school holidays.