Changi Airport MRT station

Changi Airport is one of the few stations where the concourse and faregates are on the same level as the platforms.

Contract 504 for the construction of Changi Airport MRT station and its associated tunnels was awarded to a joint venture between Kumagai-Gumi Co and Sembawang Engineering and Construction in October 1998 at a contract value of S$204.5 million (US$122.19 million). The contract includes the construction of Changi Airport station and associated tunnels, a new baggage tunnel between Terminals 2 and 3 and a new vehicular underpass to serve Terminal 3.[17] This project was a joint effort which combines Japanese technology and experience with local knowledge of subcontractor availability and supplier availability, due to the challenges of the construction of the station.[18]

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on 29 January 1999. In the speech by then-communications minister Mah Bow Tan at the ceremony, he highlighted the challenges of the construction of the station, which would require close cooperation between various parties such as the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the contractors. For the construction of Changi Airport station, different methods of deep excavations using various ground support systems were adopted. The construction work involved the challenge of deep excavation works right next to nearby developments such as the existing Terminal 2 structures.[19] In addition, close monitoring was needed for the construction of the 1 km-long (0.62 mi) tunnel leading to the station, which passes directly underneath the runway and airport terminal.[20] During the construction, CPG Consultants, which was designing Terminal 3 at the time, provided 20 staff to complement the LTA team on the Changi Airport line extension.[21]

The station opened on 8 February 2002,[22][23] with the official opening ceremony of the Changi Airport MRT extension conducted on 27 February 2002.[24] Since the station's opening, passenger traffic has been moderate, as most bus routes were maintained and continue to be a popular means of cheap, direct transport for local airport/airline employees, as well as travellers not living along the East West line. Many air travellers also prefer to continue taking taxis or private transport as not all of the MRT services have luggage racks in the trains.[25] However, taxi drivers claimed that the station has put them at a disadvantage, reporting a loss of 20 percent in earnings, with about 20,500 commuters using the station daily as of March 2002.[26]

On 25 May 2019, the LTA announced an extension of the Thomson–East Coast line (TEL) to Changi Airport. Set to be completed by 2040, the TEL will be extended from Sungei Bedok station to serve the future Changi Airport Terminal 5. The stretch between Tanah Merah and Changi Airport, which is currently part of the East West line, will be transferred over to the TEL.[6]

• On 24 July 2002, a glass panel of the atria wall shattered. The area was quickly closed off, but train services were not affected.[27][28]
• On 24 September 2003, a man died at the station, apparently having fallen five stories from the departure hall.[29]
• On 17 January 2020, the rail operator SMRT said that they had found a crack in the crossing at Changi Airport MRT Station, during inspection works in the morning. Trains had to be diverted to only one platform and travel at a slower speed as they approach the affected crossing.[30]

Track layout
to Expo

Changi Airport station is currently served by the Changi Airport Branch of the East West line (EWL), which connects to the airport from Tanah Merah station as a shuttle service. The station code is CG2 as reflected on official maps.[31] After the station was first opened on 8 February 2002, there were through services from Boon Lay station to this station.[32] However, due to low ridership, the route reverted to being operated as a shuttle service from 22 July 2003, with trains from Changi Airport station terminating at Tanah Merah station instead.[33] The first train from Changi Airport station departs at 5:31 am on weekdays and Saturdays and 5:59 am on Sundays instead, with the last train from the airport departing at 12:06 am.[34] From Tanah Merah station, the first train towards the station departs at 5:20 am on weekdays and Saturdays and 5:47 am on Sundays instead, with the last train towards the airport from Tanah Merah station departing at 11:50 pm.[35][36] Headways between trains varies from 7 to 9 mins during peak hours, and 12 mins during off-peak hours.[37][38][39]

The initial numbering of the station was EW29,[40][41] but was changed on 20 June 2003 to CG2.[42] In 2040, the station will be served by the TEL as part of the TEL line extension to the airport.[5]

The panes of the glass atria walls seen from Exit A leading to the station

Various features have been incorporated into the design to make the station aesthetically pleasing to travellers.[24] The station is designed by architectural firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, featuring a large interior space and an illuminated 150 m (490 ft) linkbridge spanning over the island platform,[43] connecting Terminals 2 and 3 with travellators.[44][45] Australian engineering company Meinhardt Facades also provided structural design engineering of the glazing system and the tensioned cable structure of the two atria (approximately 60 m (200 ft) long by 20 m (66 ft) wide by 36 m (118 ft) high each) located at both ends of the station box adjacent to Terminal 2 and 3 of Changi Airport, with engineering input by Ove Arup and Partners.[46][47] In 2011, the station was rated 10 out of 15 most beautiful subway stops in the world by BootsnAll.[45]