New cleaning innovations enhance passenger safety at Changi

Autonomous cleaning robots used in Changi Airport’s terminals have been equipped with a misting attachment that disinfects the carpets immediately after cleaning

Changi Airport has begun to transform the airport terminal with new contactless and cleaning innovations for a safer airport journey.

These measures are to be rolled out airport wide in preparation for when air travel into and out of Singapore gradually resumes.

At Changi’s automated kiosks, proximity sensors are being installed to eliminate the need for travellers to touch the electronic screens when they check in or drop off their bags. For the first time in an airport, infrared sensors will enable passengers to select options by pointing their finger close to the screen without touching it.

For those who need to check in at counters with service agents, acrylic screens will provide a safe barrier.

Changi’s contactless passenger experience extends to immigration. The Immigration & Checkpoints Authority has upgraded the automated immigration lanes at Changi Airport with a new biometric system that uses face and iris recognition technology as the primary means for identity verification. This replaces traditional fingerprint scanning. 

Autonomous cleaning robots have been upgraded in the terminals, with a nozzle that sprays a light disinfecting mist for added protection on carpets and floors during cleaning. Changi Airport Group (CAG) is also testing the use of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) LEDs to disinfect the handrails of escalators and travellators in a safe way.

Infrared sensors will enable passengers to select options by pointing their finger close to the screen

These cleaning innovations build on Changi Airport’s previously introduced precautionary measures against COVID-19. These included temperature screening at key points, safe distancing, use of masks by all passengers and staff, increased cleaning and disinfecting, widespread introduction of sensor-activated ‘auto’ hand sanitisers and the use of a long-lasting antimicrobial spray on frequently touched surfaces.

Tan Lye Teck, Changi Airport Group’s Executive Vice President for Airport Management, said: “Passengers will expect airports to deliver the highest standards of safety and hygiene to give them peace of mind during their journey, and we will rapidly bring on board new measures as we go into a new normal for air travel. The improvements we announce demonstrate CAG’s continuous commitment to passenger health and a positive airport experience. CAG will work with other aviation partners to instil a high sense of confidence among travellers going through Changi Airport when air travel eventually resumes.”