The world’s best airport?
There is no doubt that one of the main hurdles of holidaying can be the journey itself, with most of us dreading the unavoidably busy, stressful and dull necessity of airports.
But what if the holiday could begin at the airport?
Singapore’s Changi Airport is a new breed of airport, and one that arguably crosses all the boundaries of being a transient place in which many of us only spend a couple of hours killing time. Changi aims to delight and enchant visitors with an array of luxury amenities including local delicacies, modern art, a free cinema, impressive retail facilities and even their own Koi Karp pond.
Changi is certainly the kind of place that you would wish to be stuck in the event of a delayed flight. Boasting an array of modern art installations along with six unique gardens with their own individual theme and environment aimed to captivate passers-by and calm minds, there is always something to look at. And if you’re looking to kill a few hours there is a rooftop pool with its very own Jacuzzi, 12 metre slide, and dedicated entertainment deck with Xbox 360 stations and other multimedia devices to amuse and thrill.
Voted the best airport in the world for the fifth year running by Skytrax Changi Airport by far exceeds the ordinary, and is only set on developing their international reputation for extravagance with their expansion plan which includes blueprints for a 1.4 million sq.ft complex to be named ‘The Jewel’.
The Jewel
Costing 1.7bn dollars the Jewel is set to be an immersive sensory space as well as adding more leisure options with a myriad of new dining opportunities, a 130 room hotel and extra aviation facilities.
The main attractions include a mesmerising ‘rain vortex’ – a unique light and sound show to titillate, a five story indoor forest valley and canopy park complete with sky nets located 82 ft above ground, mazes and discovery slides.
Jean Hung, CEO of the Jewel Changi Airport Development says of the plans, “Not only will Jewel capture the hearts and minds of travellers and boost Singapore’s appeal as a transit hub, it will enhance the Changi Airport experience for our passengers and visitors," highlighting Changi’s ambition to lift Singapore as a travel destination, as well as to remain a lasting memory for visitors who will be sure to return.
The Jewel was begun in 2014 with the grand plans due to be finished in 2019. When finally opened to the public The Jewel will assure Changi’s place at the top of the list as an innovator – who knows, soon the airport might become the premier travel destination.
