Upcoming Changi T4 to have centralised security checks

When it opens next year, Changi Airport Terminal 4 will have security measures that are very different from what passengers here are used to.

Unlike the existing terminals, where passengers are screened at individual gatehold rooms, T4 will have centralised screening. This means the checks will be done at a common point, said Changi Airport Group's vice-president of aviation security Alan Tan.

Currently, passengers have to remain in the gatehold rooms after screening until their flight departs.

At T4, once the security checks are done, passengers will be free to shop and dine in the transit area until it is time for them to board, Mr Tan told The Straits Times.

But arriving and departing passengers will be kept apart from each other, unlike at existing terminals where they can mingle.

Explaining the logic behind this, Mr Tan said: "This is to mitigate any potential risks. For example, we do not want arriving passengers passing items that may be prohibited or dangerous to those who are departing on our flights."

For the same reason, restaurants and shops within the restricted areas will be strictly monitored to ensure dangerous and prohibited items like sharp knives do not end up on planes.

They will also have to ensure proper stocktaking of items, including cutlery, he said. "The key is to ensure a sterile zone so all items and goods will be screened before allowing entry, " Mr Tan added.

Industry observers noted that at some other airports that have centralised screening, restaurants have to chain choppers and other big knives to walls for safety.

While there may be some concerns that centralised screening could lead to bottlenecks and long queues, Mr Tan said: "The terminal needs to be properly sized to ensure there are enough security lanes and processes put in place to allow for effective and efficient screening."

For the first time at Changi Airport, for example, facial recognition technology will be used to eliminate the need for manual identity verification by staff.

Said Mr Vinoop Goel, the International Air Transport Association's regional director (airport, passenger, cargo and security): "Having resources in a central location instead of being distributed at multiple points is more efficient... However, extra measures will also be needed to screen all goods coming into the common departure area."

Travellers would have a better experience, too. "With gate screening, you're basically limited to the holding area for 20 minutes or longer, which is probably not as pleasant as being able to shop or eat till your aircraft is almost ready to board," added Mr Goel.

Even with centralised screening, there will be instances where travellers are screened just before boarding, if necessary.

He said: "For example, there may be flights to particular locations where specific screening measures are needed and these can still be done before boarding. There is no compromise on security."

karam@sph.com.sg

What's new at T4

Segregation of arriving and departing passengers.

Centralised screening for departing passengers, after which they are free to shop and dine before boarding. This is unlike the current system, where travellers are screened at the gatehold rooms.

Strict checks on restaurants and shops in the transit area to make sure that dangerous items do not end up on flights.

A new two-lane road to link motorists directly from the Pan-Island Expressway to T4. Motorists can also access the other terminals from T4 via an existing underpass.

Motorists leaving T4 for the city will be able to use a new road that will connect to the East Coast Parkway.

T4 will see a massive roll-out of self-service and automated options for check-in, bag tagging, immigration clearance and aircraft boarding.

This article was first published on Feb 11, 2016.
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