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 

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