SINGAPORE - More than eight in 10 passengers departing from Changi Airport can now check in at least four hours before their flights.

Common early check-in counters have been set up at Terminals 2 and 3 since the start of this year, while there is an early check-in lounge at T1.

The counters and lounge - open from 6am to midnight daily - serve as a common one-stop service point for passengers travelling with 23 participating airlines, Changi Airport Group (CAG) said.

Check-in is available from 12 or 24 hours before the flight's scheduled time of departure.

The 23 airlines serve more than 3.7 million passengers a year, or 13 per cent of passengers departing from Changi Airport. They include Japan Airlines, Thai Airways, Korean Air and EVA Air.

Besides the airlines served at the common counters, another 25 airlines separately offer an early check-in service at their own counters, the airport said. These include Singapore Airlines, Silkair, Cathay Pacific and Emirates.

The provision of early check-in options will benefit passengers, especially visitors to Singapore who may have to check out of their hotel rooms hours before their flights, Changi added.

By coming in early, travellers also minimise the risk of missing their flights.

This happens to an estimated 10,000 passengers a year, for whatever reasons.

In addition to the benefits to passengers, early check-in also helps to boost operational efficiency and productivity, said CAG vice-president (passenger experience) Albert Lim.

"Early check-in smoothens the flow of passengers beyond the peak period, which starts at about two hours before departure. Reducing the peak load shortens queues and lessens the stress on the check-in team," he said.

"Overall, there is a better travel experience for passengers. At the same time, it allows for more optimal utilisation of check-in resources, resulting in capacity and productivity gains."