Latest news with #Terminal5
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Inside Britain's busiest airport: SHIVALI BEST goes behind-the-scenes at Heathrow's Terminal 5 to find out what really happens to your bag
It's the best-connected airport in the world, linking to over 230 destinations in nearly 90 countries. So it should come as no surprise that Heathrow Airport also features one of the world's most sophisticated baggage systems. In 2024 alone, Heathrow handled a whopping 39.47 million outbound bags. To put that into perspective, that's an average of 75 bags per minute, or 1.25 bags every second! Unsurprisingly, the transport hub is usually extremely private about what happens behind closed doors. However, MailOnline's Science and Technology Editor, Shivali Best, was invited behind-the-scenes at Heathrow's Terminal 5 for a rare look inside. With 150 check-in positions, over 18 miles of conveyor belts, and an early bag storage warehouse managed by 30 cranes, the baggage system is meticulously designed from start-to-finish. So, whether you're a happy holidaymaker or a busy businessperson, here's what really happens to your bag as it passes through Britain's busiest airport. Heathrow's Terminal 5 opened back in 2008, and is mainly used by British Airways. It's safe to say that its baggage handling system went off to a rocky start, with the then Aviation Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, claiming the terminal had fallen 'well short of expectation'. In the opening days, issues with Terminal 5's IT systems forced British Airways to cancel hundreds of flights and suspend check-in, with a total of around 42,000 bags failing to reach their owners. Thankfully, in the 17 years since, Heathrow has ramped up its system and processes, with Terminal 5 now boasting the largest automated baggage handling system in the world. I met with Baggage Engineering Duty Managers, Alec Burge and Nigel Jinman, at the departure gates for a tour of this world-class operation. Terminal 5 alone has 150 check-in positions 30 metres above ground, where passengers can drop off their luggage. 'When each passenger checks in, their bag is given a tag with a Baggage Source Message (BSM),' Mr Burge explains. 'Every passenger has a unique one, containing information on everything from their name, flight number, class, and seat. The first stop is a volumetric scanner, which detects whether a bag is lying flat or upright 'The BSM is used to route the bag through the baggage system to the correct flight.' Behind the scenes, the baggage system is split into two sections - north and south - where bags are transported on mirror journeys to airplanes at the 53 departure gates. Armed with our passports and security passes, we make our way through an unassuming door and begin our exploration of this mysterious baggage labyrinth. After climbing 10 metres down, we see bags first entering the system. 'As the bag drops down into the system, an automatic reader will look at the BSM,' Mr Burge explained. 'There are dozens of scanners throughout the baggage system.' The first stop is a volumetric scanner, which detects whether a bag is lying flat or upright, and whether it is too big or heavy. If the scanner detects a bag is upright - a prime position for it to get into a jam - it will reroute it to a special rotating belt that flips it on to its side, before it rejoins the main conveyor belt. Just when I think the whistle-stop tour is coming to an end, the experts show me the Early Bag Storage unit, where any early bags can be stored safely until they're needed If the bags do happen to get into a jam at any point, engineers are watching on CCTV and can step in to try to clear the blockage. Next, it's over to the X-ray scanners, where the bags go through five levels of screening. If they fail at the first level, they are escalated to the next, and escalation continues as required, with the police being called if the bag cannot be cleared. Once a bag has been given the all-clear at security, it passes through to a 'sorter' conveyor belt - a huge track made up of 1,300 moving trays. As the trays wind their way around the track, much to my surprise, they suddenly tip, launching the bags off into one of 132 outputs. Finally, the bags at each output are loaded onto a unit loading device, which is driven by the airline to the plane to be loaded on. One of the biggest stresses for travellers is the risk of bags being lost during tight transfers. Thankfully, Terminal 5 also has a rollercoaster-like connection system to ensure bags are whisked through at top speed - and precision. 'If you're on a tight connection, your bag is flagged as time-critical,' Mr Burge explains. 'Connecting bags go through 16 transfer belts to a destination coded vehicle, which loops around to where it needs to be.' Just when I think the whistle-stop tour is coming to an end, the experts show me the Early Bag Storage unit, where any early bags can be stored safely until they're needed. Reminiscent of the Door Warehouse in 'Monsters, Inc', this unit is managed by 30 automated cranes, which can whisk over 6,500 bags around with impressive precision. As with most systems, Terminal 5's baggage system isn't fault-free, with occasional blockages requiring engineers to come and rejig the bags. 'A lot of the time, it's due to the ways the bags were offloaded,' Mr Burge tells me. 'The airline handlers place the bags on the conveyor belt, and they should leave a space so bags can run through the system nice and easily.' Other issues come down to the nature of the bags themselves. 'If every bag was a square box, it would process through the system much better,' he joked. As a passenger, there are several easy things you can do to reduce the risk of an issue with your bag, according to Mr Jinman. 'Bag straps are always getting stuck, and we can't repatriate them so they just go in the bin,' he said. 'They're an absolute nightmare. Cling film wrap is also awful - it gets wrapped up like the straps do.' Hard bags are the best option, according to the expert. 'We treat the trays like surfboards - we wax them so they're smooth. So some really soft leather bags or sports equipment bags can get stuck on the trays,' he explained. 'When the trays tip, those bags don't always fall down the right chute. 'Thankfully, this will set off an alarm in the control room and an engineer will go down to recover the bags.' Meanwhile, Mr Jinman's top tip is to always include a note inside your suitcase with your name, flight details, and phone number. 'If the tag comes off your bag, as soon as we open it up we can call you and see what flight you're on.' AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL: HOW DOES IT WORK? Air traffic control aims to move planes safely and efficiently through the airspace system. Controllers keep aircraft set distances apart while moving them from airport to airport using designated routes. Before take off, airlines will file a flight plan with air traffic control so every controller who deals with the flight on its journey is aware of its details and route. When an aircraft is at an airport, the pilots on board will be in contact with controllers in the airport's control tower. Air traffic controllers will monitor the aircraft while it is on the ground and give it permission to take off. Once airborne the pilot will then normally talk to another controller using a radar screen to track the aircraft's progress through the airways system (equivalent to motorways in the sky). Each controller is responsible for planes in a set area of airspace. When an aircraft is nearing the edge of their sector they will coordinate its handover to the next controller. This will continue through the aircraft's journey until it is handed over to the controller at the destination airport. Most airliners are monitored by controllers using radar in airways and routes known as 'controlled airspace'. The majority of airspace that is left is known as 'uncontrolled', and this is used by the military and recreational pilots. In this airspace some air traffic control services are provided, especially near airfields, but in much of the airspace it is the pilots' responsibility to see and avoid each other.
Independent Singapore
3 days ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
Singapore's soaring ambitions: Changi Airport and SIA prepare for the next takeoff
'Build and they will come' may be the idea behind the construction of Changi Airport's Terminal 5, which will be able to handle another 50 million passengers annually when the first phase is completed in the mid-2030s. The airport already seems to have excess capacity. With a capacity to handle 90 million passengers annually, Changi recorded 68.4 million passenger movements in the financial year 2024/25 ended March 31, according to a Changi Airport Group (CAG) press release dated May 24. That was more than any recent year. Passenger movements totalled 62.5 million in 2023/24 and 42.6 million in 2022/23 after dropping during COVID to 5.2 million in 2021/22 and 1.1 million in 2020/21 from 62.9 million in 2019/20, according to the CAG 2024 annual report. Changi Airport's soaring profit However, despite operating below capacity, the airport is a goldmine. Net profit jumped from S$431 million in 2023/24 to S$841 million in 2024/25. Revenue grew from S$2.7 billion to S$3 billion in tandem with the rise in passenger traffic. One of the world's busiest airports, Changi now links Singapore directly to about 170 cities globally, with close to 100 airlines operating more than 7,200 flights weekly. Passenger movements were much lower – 53.7 million a year – when the Terminal 5 construction project was announced by the then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2013. He said then that the new terminal would double the airport's passenger capacity. Changi didn't have to be so big at the time, but the planners were building for the future. See also Education: Goodbye Streaming, Hello Full Subject-Based Banding Aviation is a business run on high hopes and big dreams. The business just had a bumper year. 'Airlines delivered a combined net profit of $32.4 billion in 2024 when passenger numbers reached a new high of 4.8 billion,' says the International Air Transport Association (IATA) in its 2025 Annual Review. SIA Group profit and revenue The SIA Group rode this wave of growth with resounding success. It posted a record net profit of S$2.8 billion in 2024/25, bolstered by a one-off non-cash gain of S$1.1 billion from the Air India–Vistara merger. Together, SIA and its low-cost subsidiary Scoot carried a record 39.4 million passengers while group revenue reached a new high of S$19.54 billion. As of March 31, 2025, the SIA Group operated a fleet of 205 aircraft with an average age of seven years and eight months. This included 145 passenger planes and seven freighters under SIA, and 53 passenger aircraft under Scoot. In April 2025, the group added one Airbus A321neo and one Boeing 787-8 — and, as of May 1, the group had another 78 aircraft on order. Its combined passenger network spanned 128 destinations across 36 countries and territories, with SIA serving 79 destinations and Scoot flying to 71. See also A four-step video in renewed attempt for clean toilets Both Changi Airport and SIA continue to shine on the global stage. Changi was named Skytrax World's Best Airport in 2025, while Singapore Airlines ranked second in Skytrax's 2024 list of the world's best airlines, just behind Qatar Airways. Fierce competition Yet, the competition is fierce. In Northeast Asia, Hong Kong International Airport and Incheon International Airport (Seoul) are major contenders, supported by carriers like Cathay Pacific, Korean Air, and Asiana Airlines. Within Southeast Asia, Changi faces regional rivals in Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Kuala Lumpur International, and Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta airports. Airlines such as Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Garuda Indonesia, and fast-growing low-cost carriers like AirAsia and Lion Air offer aggressive pricing and expansive networks. Further afield, Middle Eastern giants like Dubai International and Doha's Hamad International, along with their flagship carriers Emirates and Qatar Airways, also compete heavily in the long-haul and transit passenger segments. Despite this, Singapore's aviation ecosystem enjoys key competitive advantages. Changi is widely praised for its efficiency, passenger experience, and seamless connectivity. SIA's reputation for exceptional service, a modern fleet, and strategic global partnerships enhances its appeal to international travellers. Looking ahead, growth prospects remain strong. The rise of the Asian middle class, increasing disposable incomes, and an appetite for international travel are likely to fuel sustained demand. For Singapore, a well-connected aviation hub is vital—not just for tourism, but for trade, investment, and its standing as a global business centre. 'The aviation ecosystem now contributes 5% of our GDP, and creates and sustains many good jobs for Singaporeans,' as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the Terminal 5 groundbreaking ceremony on May 14. Nonetheless, challenges persist. Geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and the aviation industry's urgent need to adopt sustainable practices demand vigilance and adaptability. Environmental pressures are rising: airlines are under scrutiny to reduce emissions. In response, SIA is exploring sustainable aviation fuels and acquiring more fuel-efficient aircraft, while Changi is rolling out energy-saving measures and tapping renewable energy sources. The airline and the airport's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and save energy stem from the same vision that underpins Terminal 5. This is more than just infrastructure expansion—it is a statement of intent. Singapore is building for the future. The terminal may seem outsized for today, but it is designed for tomorrow, befitting a nation that will continue to grow. Featured image by Depositphotos (for illustration purposes only)
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
One of the world's busiest airports reveals plans for new £7 billion mega terminal for 50 million more passengers
One of the busiest airports in the world is set to be transformed with a brand new terminal that will handle millions more passengers. The airport is already known for being home to the world's biggest indoor waterfalls and has previously been voted the best in the globe. Now Changi Airport in Singapore has unveiled plans to build Terminal 5, which is set to add an incredible 50 million more passengers to the already 90 million that pass through yearly. T5 will also be connected to the existing Terminal 2, which is home to Singapore Airlines. When completed, the terminal will bring the airport's connectivity from 170 to 200 cities worldwide. Plans released by the airport show the impressive infrastructure planned for the terminal building, which is expected to cost £7billion. It will have huge glass roofs and walls to allow as much natural daylight as possible to flood the mega terminal, creating a better transit for passengers. Just like Changi Airport's existing terminals, no expense will be spared on facilities and scenery, with indoor gardens and vertical trees planned throughout the building. Plans released by the airport show the impressive infrastructure planned for the terminal building, which is expected to cost £7 billion Automated check-in desks and contactless touch points will be introduced, allowing for a faster and more seamless experience for departing and arriving passengers. A dedicated transportation centre will also be constructed underneath the terminal, which will house trains, buses and taxis. Work has already started on the 2,670 acre site and, when it opens, the airport's size will have almost doubled. To allow for the additional passengers, airport bosses will convert a former military runway into a third runway to be used for commercial aircraft. The terminal is expected to be fully operational by the mid 2030s, but the third runway could be open by 2027. Meanwhile, Dubai's busiest airport previously revealed plans to shut down as it undergoes a £28 billion expansion to increase its capacity to 260 million passengers annually. Dubai International Airport, known as DXB, is a major travel hub and a key destination for long-haul travel for millions of Brits who flock to the Gulf city each year. But its boss, Paul Griffiths, announced all services will eventually be moved in the coming decades to the newer Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Located 22 miles outside of the city and 38 miles from DXB, Al Maktoum International Airport opened its doors in 2010, though a new DWC terminal is expected to open in 2032 and full expansion will continue into the 2050s. According to Griffiths, Dubai International Airport, which first opened in 1960, is nearing the end of its 'useful operating role '. Speaking at the Arabian Travel Market conference last month, he said: 'There is little sense in operating two major hubs with such close proximity to one another. 'We will move every single service to DWC. By then, every single asset at DXB will be close to the end of its useful operating role, so the economics of keeping DXB open will not be possible unless we invest a huge amount of money.' DXB is currently the world's second busiest airport, having handled a record 92.3 million passengers in 2024, but it holds the top spot as the world's busiest for international passengers, as reported by Aviation Week.
The Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
One of the world's busiest airports reveals plans for new £7billion mega terminal with 50million more passengers
A HUGE new mega terminal is set to transform one of the world's best airports. Changi Airport, in Singapore, has not only been named the best in recent years, but is also the fourth busiest in the world. 6 6 6 Known for having the world's biggest indoor waterfall as well, the major airport has revealed plans to open a new Terminal 5. Also called T5, the new terminal will welcome another 50million passengers when complete, adding to the current 90million at the airport. It will also allow flights to connect Singapore to 200 cities, up from the current 170 cities. The new terminal will be connected to Terminal 2, and will be the base of Singapore Airlines. Vertical gardens with indoor trees and plant areas will be throughout the terminal, which also has huge glass roofs and walls to let in as much daylight as possible. And a former military runway will become the airport's third runway used by commercial jets, and increased from 1.7miles to 2.5miles. Contactless touchpoints and automated check ins will speed up the process of travelling from landside to gate. The new designs have been created by British-based Heatherwick Studio, behind UK projects such at Coal Drops Yard and BT Tower in London. This is alongside American architecture firm KPF, behind Atlantis The Royal in Dubai and projects in Bermondsey and central London. Thomas Heatherwick, design director of Heatherwick Studio, said it will be full of "lush greenery and characterful districts that redefine what an airport can be". Inside the 'best airport in the world' following 3-year renovation - with 45ft 'waterfall,' indoor garden & robot bartender Work has already started on the 2,670 acre area, which will nearly double the current airport size. The new runway could open as soon as 2027, ahead of the full opening of the project. The terminal expects to fully open by the mid 2030s, costing around $10billion (£7.3bilion) according to Simple Flying. The last new opening at Changi Airport was the entertainment and shopping district the Jewel, back in 2019. 6 6 And a new passport-free system is being rolled out at the airport's immigration, with biometric checks instead. It's not the only major airport expansion taking place right now. Dubai is opening the new Al Maktoum International Airport by 2031, which will handle up to 260million passengers a year. This will replace the current Dubai International Airport - which welcomes 92million passengers - which will close when the new airport is completed. Here are the 15 busiest airports in the UK by passenger numbers in 2023 London Heathrow - 79.2 million London Gatwick - 40.9 million Manchester - 28.1 million London Stansted - 28.0 million London Luton - 16.4 million Edinburgh - 14.4 million Birmingham - 11.5 million Bristol - 9.9 million Glasgow - 7.4 million Belfast International - 6.0 million Newcastle - 4.8 million Liverpool - 4.2 million Leeds Bradford - 4.0 million East Midlands - 3.9 million London City - 3.4 million And Poland's £25billion Warsaw Solidarity Airport wants to take on Heathrow and Dubai as a hub airport, with 65million passengers. Here is the new £1.1billion new airport terminal opening in Casablanca in Morocco. 6
Independent Singapore
16-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
SATS gears up for Changi Terminal 5 with S$250M in ground and cargo upgrades
SINGAPORE: Ground-handling firm SATS is gearing up for Changi Airport's upcoming Terminal 5, announcing it will invest over S$250 million through its Singapore Hub (SG Hub) to upgrade ground operations and cargo handling services at the airport, according to the company's press release on Thursday (May 15). This followed Changi Airport Group (CAG) awarding S$4.75 billion in construction contracts and the groundbreaking ceremony for Terminal 5 on Wednesday (May 14). The new terminal will add capacity for 50 million more passengers annually and is set to open in phases from the mid-2030s. According to SATS, over S$150 million will be spent in the next five years to renew and expand the SG Hub's ground support equipment (GSE) fleet. This includes renewing and upgrading over 500 specialised commercial vehicles and equipment, which makes up around 40% of its SG Hub's fleet. It will also add 100 new units to keep up with growing business volumes. Channel NewsAsia reported that such equipment includes aircraft tugs, which tow or push back planes, and main deck loaders that move cargo pallets between the ground and the aircraft's cargo deck. Safety enhancements will be made to improve aircraft damage prevention systems. The company also aims to 'electrify' 20% more of its fleet, from the current 35%, by FY2030. Another S$100 million will go towards improving cargo operations over the next two years. Starting mid-year, the multi-phase upgrade will combine Singapore Airlines' import, export, and transhipment operations under one roof. The facility's peak daily handling capacity will also increase from 1,750 to 3,150 tonnes. Alongside these investments, SATS' SG Hub will train its workforce to support traffic growth at Singapore's airports. This includes job redesign, upskilling, and bringing new talent to the company's 7,800 workforce. SATS Singapore Hub CEO Henry Low said, 'While the opening of Changi Airport Terminal 5 is about 10 years away, SATS is already undertaking extensive preparations to handle future operational demands by modernising our equipment and infrastructure alongside efforts to raise and sustain a future-ready and resilient workforce.' 'These upgrades and enhancements will enable us to support our airline customers more effectively and ensure that Singapore continues to excel as a world-leading air hub,' he added. /TISG Read also: Changi Airport is ranked as the world's second most family-friendly airport in 2025
