PASSENGERS departing from Singapore Changi Airport on 23 airlines can now check in 12 to 24 hours before the flight’s scheduled time of departure (STD) at common check-in counters.
Since the start of the year, common early check-in counters have been set up at Terminals 2 (Row 7) and 3 (Row 10), as well as an early check-in lounge at Terminal 1 (near Row 5), servicing passengers flying on 23 participating airlines, including Air India, British Airways, China Southern Airlines, EVA Air, Japan Airlines, Jet Airways, Korean Air and Qantas Airlines.
These 23 airlines account for 3.7 million passengers a year, or 13 per cent of all passengers departing from Changi Airport.
The move will benefit visitors to Singapore who may have to check-out of their hotel rooms hours before their flight, according to Changi Airport Group (CAG).
According to a CAG survey, over 40 per cent of travellers are not aware of the availability of early check-in, hence not seeing the need to plan to arrive at the airport early. This makes them more susceptible to being late due to unforeseen factors like traffic congestion while on the way to the airport.
CAG added that early entry into the transit areas also gives passengers more time to enjoy Changi’s facilities.
In addition to these benefits, early check-in also helps to boost operational efficiency.
Albert Lim, vice president for passenger experience at CAG, said: “Early check-in smoothens the flow of passengers beyond the peak period, which starts at about two hours before STD. Reducing the peak load shortens queues and lessens the stress on the check-in team.
“At the same time, it allows for more optimal utilisation of check-in resources, resulting in capacity and productivity gains.”
Presently, over 80 per cent of passengers departing from Changi get to enjoy early check-in of at least four hours before STD, including those flying with 25 other airlines offering early check-in at their own dedicated counters.
