Changi Airport Group (CAG) has unveiled an underground people-mover system that will enable connections between the future Terminal 5 and Terminal 2 within just four minutes, offering a glimpse into Singapore’s massive airport expansion infrastructure.
During a local press event on December 30 2025, airport officials revealed that the automated system will operate similarly to the existing Skytrain, with trains running every four to eight minutes. Each two-carriage train will carry approximately 96 passengers plus luggage, with two trains from a fleet of five operating simultaneously during service hours.
The system will enable transit passengers at Terminal 5 to connect to another flight in less than an hour, according to Changi Airport Group.
Tunnel progress and engineering
Approximately 1.7 kilometers of the 2.5-kilometer underground tunnel system were completed in October 2024. Two tunnels accommodate the people mover, while a third handles baggage transfer at up to 3,000 bags per hour between terminals.
The tunnels extend 28 to 35 meters underground, equivalent to a 12-story building, and required construction beneath an active taxiway near Terminal 2. Dr. Wen Dazhi, Changi Airport Group’s Senior Vice President for Changi East construction, explained that engineers used a top-down construction method and a conveyor-belt system to minimize disruption to airport operations, saving one to two years when compared to traditional methods.
Terminal 5 timeline
Construction on Terminal 5 officially began in May 2024 and is scheduled for completion in the mid-2030s. The terminal will increase Changi Airport’s capacity to 140 million passengers annually, more than 55% above its current capacity of 90 million.
An immersive exhibition titled ‘T5 In the Making’ will open on January 6, 2026 at Terminal 3’s Arrival Hall, showcasing the terminal’s design and innovations through interactive displays and scale models. The free exhibition runs through March 2026.
