Jetstar begins operations at Changi Airport T4; terminal spruced up with new offerings
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SINGAPORE –The Jetstar group of airlines started operating from Changi Airport’s Terminal 4 on Wednesday, after months of negotiations over its relocation
Jetstar Asia, which operates from Singapore to destinations in Australia and South-east Asia, had its first inbound flight arrive at T4 from Manila at 12.40am, while its first outbound flight departed from the same terminal for Manila at 6.15am.
Jetstar Asia passenger Adeline Lim, 51, said the automated check-in at T4 was “a breeze”, and transit passengers should not face any issues moving between T4 and the other terminals. T4 is the only one among the four terminals at Changi that is not connected to the complimentary Skytrain service.
“This shouldn’t be an issue, as there are shuttle buses,” said Ms Lim, a music teacher, who was taking her mother to Penang for a short holiday to celebrate Ms Lim’s birthday.
Jetstar Airways, which is based in Australia, was slated to have its first flight from T4 departing for Melbourne at 10.10pm on Wednesday.
Jetstar and Changi Airport Group (CAG) said in a statement that passengers aboard the 25 Jetstar services operating from T4 on Wednesday would be given tote bags and luggage tags to mark the occasion. By the end of the day, Jetstar would have served nearly 4,000 passengers.
Jetstar Asia chief executive Barathan Pasupathi said the airline needed time to consider the move to T4 from T1 – where it was based for 19 years – and to do surveys of customers and look at engineering arrangements, among other things.
He said: “Changi’s growth now is almost at 80 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels. As we anticipate further growth in Changi, we anticipate congestion at the terminals.
“Likewise, we have chosen to come to T4, working hand in hand with Changi Airport, ensuring that the customer experience is always (at the forefront) for us, on top of a foundation of safety and reliability. And so we are here today because we are going to grow.”
Mr Lim Ching Kiat, CAG’s executive vice-president of air hub and cargo development, said: “Months of hard work and close collaboration between all partners involved have led to this successful transition.”
In July 2022, Jetstar rejected Changi Airport’s decision to move its flights
Following months of talks and a joint study by CAG and Jetstar on the potential impact of the relocation, the airline announced last November that it would move.
The flights on Wednesday were the culmination of months of preparations by CAG, Jetstar and their airport partners, who conducted various tests to ensure a smooth move, including two rounds of orientation flights on Feb 22 and March 9.
With its relocation, Jetstar joins 18 other airlines operating at T4.
Since T4 resumed operations last September,
The terminal’s heritage zone, which is fully open now, offers food and souvenirs from local brands such as Bengawan Solo, Eu Yan Sang and Old Chang Kee.
