World’s best airport reveals new passport-free technology – where you clear security in 10 seconds

The airport hopes to open a multi-billion new terminal too

Kara Godfrey, Deputy Travel Editor

Published: 14:14, 29 Oct 2024
Updated: 18:47, 29 Oct 2024

THE world's best airport has just got better - with new technology letting you whizz through security.

Singapore's Changi Airport if often named the best airport in the world, home to the iconic indoor waterfall (also a record-breaker, being the world's tallest indoor one).

Changi Airport in Singapore has introduced new passport-free gatesCredit: CNA/Eugene Goh

Anyone over the age of six will be able to use themCredit: Alamy

Changi Airport is often named the best in the worldCredit: Getty

And the airport has now introduced passport-free systems at the airport's immigration area.

Passengers will be able to travel through without needing to show a passport, with biometric information clearance instead.

Tourists will need to register their data - including facial, fingerprints and iris biometrics - before they can use it.

Kids also under six aren't currently able to use the trial system.

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The system hopes to allow 95 per cent of travellers to use automated lanes by early 2026.

This means holidaymakers won't have to wait in long queues having their passports checked manually.

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This would cut waiting times by 40 per cent, according to the Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA).

The airport has also revealed plans for a huge new terminal, set to open by 2030.

First announced in 2013, the new Terminal 5 will mean the airport can welcome another 50million passengers a year - up from the current 90million.

Flights to another 200 cities will also launch, up from the current 150.

A confirmed opening date and cost of the terminal has not been revealed, although is likely to be a multi-billion pound project.

The new terminal comes after a number of other mega airports being announced around the world.

The full list of freebies you can find at Changi Airport

Travel writer Qin Xie revealed some of the little-known freebies and areas you can find at Changi Airport.

Terminal 1

On level three of the terminal is a viewing area where passengers can look out over the planes at the gate.

And right next to it is a play area with art facilities for kids.

And there is an outdoor cactus and garden, as well as an outdoor water lily garden.

Terminal 2

On level three is the free cinema, which as films 24 hours a day.

There is also a gaming space with free games for an Xbox, Playstation and arcade machines.

Terminal 3

Level one has the world's tallest slide in an airport, that goes all the way down to level -2 (although you only get a free ride for every S$10 you spend at the airport).

On level two there is ST3PS, a showcase area where you can watch films and live performances.

Head to the DFS Wines and Spirits Duplex store and you can try a free Singapore Sling.

Terminal 4

The main free attraction is the Heritage Zone, with the shore film Peranakan Love Story showcasing life in 1930s Singapore.

This includes the King Salman International Airport in Saudi Arabia, which will welcome as many as 120million passengers when it opens.

And Istanbul Airport is undergoing huge expansion as well, also being able to have as many as 120million passengers by 2028.

"The country's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said: "Some have announced plans for mega airports that can handle more than 100 million passengers a year - so they are narrowing the gap with Singapore.

“Increasingly, flights that would have passed through Changi may no longer be needed."

Changi Airport opened its huge £921million Jewel hub back in 2019, with the huge waterfall attraction and 280 shops and restaurants.

And in 2023, the airport's Terminal 2 was expanded.