Changi Airport Security Systems: A Comparative Analysis - ECAM 101

This assignment from Temasek Polytechnic's ECAM 101 course examines the ground handling operations at Changi Airport, focusing on a comparison between centralized and decentralized security systems across various passenger flows (departure, arrival, transit, and transfer). The analysis includes the pros and cons of each system, assessing their impact on passenger experience and operational efficiency. Furthermore, the assignment identifies and evaluates three FAST (Fast Airport Service Technology) systems implemented at Changi Airport, detailing their special features and suggesting potential areas for improvement. The student references relevant academic sources to support their findings, providing a comprehensive overview of the security and operational aspects of Changi Airport's ground handling processes.

Temasek Polytechnic
Diploma in Engineering (Aviation
Management)
ECAM 101 Ground Handling
Operations – Assignment
Name / Admin No / Class: ______________________________________________
1. A Centralised security system is adopted in Changi Airport PTB4,
whereas PTB1-3 adopt a Decentralised security system. Compare
and contrast the passenger flow and handling processes for
departure, arrival, transit and transfer passengers under the 2
security systems and state the pros and cons of a centralized
security system versus a decentralized security system. (60 marks)
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ECAM101 Ground Handling Operations Copyright © Temasek Polytechnic
Centralised Security System Decentralised Security
System
Flow for
Departure
pax
It facilitates the control of
passengers, in matters of
transfer and security through
centralizing passenger
service and their amenities.
Here, the security line-up is
very long at the check-up
point as a result of some
plains that are full of people
trying to pass through the
checkpoint that contains
very few and limited
equipment.
Flow for
Arrival pax
flow
There would not be
incidences of long distance
walks if the terminals in the
airport are designed in a
manner through which it can
accommodate proper flow of
passengers. An alternative
way could be expansion of
the terminals to ensure they
have enough capacity to hold
all the passengers.
There is optimization of the
level of service making it
more convenient for
passengers. Additionally, it
minimizes the distance
passengers have to walk.
Increase in the space to
accommodate all travellers
could enhance operations at
the airport.
Flow for
Transfer pax
Passengers are able to shop
and get any of the amenities
at their comfort without
necessarily going through
very long distance travels.
Passengers can order
whatever they need at their
comfort. Also, there are
adequate cubs which can
pick and drop travellers. This
enhances their comfort
ability within the airport.
Flow for
Transit pax
Easily checking in for transit
into another aircraft with or
without adequate security
checks. This means
passengers are needed to go
through a security check
once again regardless of the
fact that, the entrance is
very small.
This has a provision of
potential for growth though
the manner of its
construction. It has the
capacity to accommodate a
large volume of travelers at a
particular period of time.
Pros It is a significant milestone
for the airport. This is
because it features all kinds
of technological
advancements that were not
there in the initially. It also
consists of systems and
procedures that are expected
in a great way to change the
experience of travellers in
Singapore while shaping
their future (Lee & Miller,
2019).
It has a facial recognition
system that has the
capability of capturing
passenger’s images at
different segments to ensure
security is biffed up and any
sort of insecurity is dealt with
at early stages. This has
enhanced easier checking
within the airport and other
processes. Also, there is a
grand-scale kinetic sculpture,
Petal clouds, spanning
approximately 200m. This
combines the heart of
technology, leading to the
creation of a harmonic
collective choreography of
six identical petal clouds (Lin,
2019).
Cons It has served as a
demonstration of the great
failure which management of
Changi airport is facing.
When we consider all the
achievements since
establishment of the airport,
there were greater
expectations in the new
It has demonstrated that
there is no one who has
absolute ownership of the
consistency in experience
gathering across all the
terminals (Wu, & Tsui, 2020).

2. The IATA FAST Travel Programme aims to provide a seamless
journey to and through the airport. Identify 3 FAST systems that
are implemented at Changi Airport and identify their special
features and possible areas of improvement. (40 marks)
Your Answer
1 First FAST system at Changi Airport: Terminal 2 (T2), constructed in
2015
Special features and areas of improvement:
Special features; An automated check-in kiosks and a special section
to keep the bags. This attracts more customers to the kiosk since
they have freedom to keep their luggage at this section and proceed
to the kiosk more comfortable and free.
Areas of improvements; Expanding the number of kiosks and
ensuring there is great security at the check in point of kiosks. This
can attracts more and more travellers to these kiosks, leading to
generation of greater income (Tseng, & Wu, 2019).
2 Second FAST system at Changi Airport: Terminal 1 (T1), constructed
in 2016
Special features and areas of improvement:
Special features; An improved operational efficiency for the
travellers, which ensures they are served faster. This saves on their
time and ensures they get greater value for their money.
Areas of improvements: Improvements can be made on machines
used to serve and screen customers to ensure they are up to date
and more effective with advancements in technology (Wu, & Tsui, 2020).
3 Third FAST system at Changi Airport: Terminal 4 (T4), Constructed in
2017
Special features and areas of improvement:
Special features; Facial recognition system which has enabled
passengers to perform self-check-ins. Also, it is more spacious with
greater passengers holding capacity.
Areas of Improvements; Improvements can be made on the
technology used, since at times there are challenges in this facial
recognition system (Lin, 2019).
Submit by Week 5
References
Lee, S., & Miller, S. (2019). AI gets real at Singapore's Changi Airport (Part 1).
Lin, W. (2019). Infrastructure's Expenditures: Changi Airport, Food Cargo, and
Capital's Technosphere. International Journal of Urban and Regional
Research, 43(1), 76-93.
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Tseng, W. C., & Wu, C. L. (2019). A choice model of airline passengers’
spending behavior in the airport terminal. Transportation Planning and
Technology, 42(4), 380-390.
Wu, H., & Tsui, K. W. H. (2020). Does a reward program affect customers’
behavioral intention of visiting the airport? A case study of Singapore
Changi Airport. Journal of Air Transport Management, 82, 101742.
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ECAM101 Ground Handling Operations Copyright © Temasek Polytechnic