SINGAPORE - The open-air carpark in front of Terminal 1 (T1) will be closed permanently on Nov 12 at 2am.

The closure is to accommodate construction work for the expansion of T1, as well as Project Jewel, a complex that integrates retail, leisure and airport operations.

When ready in 2018, there will be a five-storey basement carpark, expanded drop-off and pick-up bays, as well as more taxi bays.

In the meantime, T1 users will be directed to park at the nearest car park located at Terminal 2 (T2) - which will be renamed T1 Car Park. At the same time, the existing arrival pick-up point at T1 will be outside the T1 Arrival Hall.

Road signage and lane markings along the roadways leading to and within Changi Airport will guide motorists to the relocated facilities.

After parking at the new T1 Car Park, drivers heading to T1 to send off or receive passengers should proceed to the T2 Departure Hall, where they can take either the Skytrain or board a new shuttle bus service to T1. The boarding point of the free shuttle is at Door 1 of the T2 Departure Hall, beside the Krispy Kreme outlet, said Changi Airport Group in a statement on Wedneday.

CAG added that it will deploy staff to help passengers affected by the car park closure.

There will be no change to the departure drop-off point for private cars and taxis, as well as the passenger boarding point for taxis at T1.

Responding to the feedback provided during the four-day dry-run last month, CAG said it has taken steps to ensure a smoother experience for airport users after the closure of the open-air carpark.

These include putting up additional signs and wall markings within the T1 Car Park, to better guide those heading to T1.

More lighting and fan fixtures will also be added at various locations to improve visibility and ventilation. In addition, there are plans to install air-conditioning at the T1 Arrival pick-up point, it said.

For more information, airport users may visit changiairport.com/T1carparkchanges.