The Singaporean government has temporarily pressed ‘pause’ on construction plans for its fifth terminal at the Changi Airport, as it waits to assess the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global aviation industry.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan revealed that construction would be paused “for two years” on the new terminal, in a video meeting with officials on Tuesday.
According to the minister, the government is currently undertaking a study surrounding if, and how, the aviation industry will be permanently changed by the pandemic.
“We have decided to take a pause for two years,” he said.
“Let us complete this study of the future of aviation.”
As such, all construction has been halted on the transportation hub’s new fifth terminal, in order to make appropriate adjustments for new safety requirements, should they be required once the study is complete.
“I am quite confident that aviation will recover, but how fast it will recover is a big question mark,” Minister Khaw said.
“We don’t think we will get the answers very quickly within the next few months. It will take us a couple of years.”
Minister Khaw noted that the government initially planned to invite tenders for major sub-structure works on the new terminal in October, with works expected to be completed in 2030, prior to the outbreak of COVID-19.
