Singapore Changi Airport's Terminal 3 is set to start operations on Jan 9 next year.

This was announced today by Minister for Transport and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Raymond Lim, during a tour of the completed terminal, which covers 380,000 square metres and cost S$1.75 billion to build.

"One year ago, we crossed a major milestone in this project by completing the construction of the main building's structure. When Terminal 3 opens its doors to the world on 9 January 2008, it will bring us closer to our vision of making Changi a regional air hub," said Minister Lim, who also made an inspection of the building's interior works.

Terminal 3 will have a handling capacity of 22 million passengers per year, and will bring the total capability of Changi Airport to 70 million.

The next eight months will see airlines, airport agencies, ground handlers, shop tenants and other airport business partners moving in and setting up their offices and systems to prepare for operations.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) will be working closely with these parties and will conduct rigorous tests and trials on critical airport systems. Trial flights will also be conducted to test the various airport processes involving departures, arrivals and transfer arrangements for passengers.

The seven-storey Terminal 3 will add another 28 aerobridges to Changi Airport, with eight designed to handle the new generation of large aircraft like the Airbus A380.

It will house more than 100 retail shops, over 30 food & beverage outlets and over 20 services concessions. Terminal 3's innovative design will utilise abundant natural light to create a spacious ambience. Dependence on signage will be kept to minimal as a see-through layout concept will make it easier for passengers to orientate themselves.

The public can look forward to a sneak preview of Terminal 3 in an Open House organised by CAAS later this year. It will allow visitors to view the completed interior before operations officially start.