Forty flights were affected after Changi Airport’s Terminal 2 (T2) was closed with all departing and arriving flights moved to Terminal 3 (T3) following a fire that broke out late afternoon yesterday (May 16).

In a media statement last night, the airport said two persons in T2 were sent to hospital for observation after they approached airport staff for medical assistance. Another four were sent to Terminal 3 clinic.

Passengers were evacuated after the fire broke out in a room storing air-conditioning equipment at T2, triggering the alarm at about 5.40 pm.

The airport statement said: “To minimise inconvenience to passengers, Changi Airport activated additional manpower and resources to facilitate the flights moved to Terminal 3, including for check-in and baggage handling. Airport staff and airline partners were also on-ground to help direct passengers.”

The statement said fire fighters from the Airport Emergency Service and Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) arrived shortly after the alarm and fought the fire.

Updated flight information was shared across all airport channels including the display screens and on Changi’s social media platforms.

Changi Airport also worked with regional airports with planes flying to Singapore to adjust their departure times to help manage the arrival load.

Flight operations at T2 resumed progressively after SCDF gave the all-clear at about 10 pm. Airport staff worked through the night to clear the backlog of delayed flights.

The airport said it would work with authorities to investigate the incident.

Passengers departing or arriving today (May 17) are advised to check the Changi Airport website, app or social media channels for the latest information.

chenj@sph.com.sg