Changi Airport Group & Certis wins Digital – Aviation category at Singapore Business Review Technology Excellence Awards 2026

Airport Pass in Changi transforms airport staff access management with a faster and smarter digital automation journey. 

At Changi Airport, one of the world’s busiest airports, secure and seamless staff access is fundamental to keeping operations running smoothly. About 60,000 airport personnel, partners, contractors and business visitors use their airport pass daily to support airside, retail and operational functions. Efficient and secure backend access management is therefore mission-critical. 

From manual processing to end-to-end digital automation

To meet this need, Changi Airport Group and Certis developed Airport Pass in Changi (APIC), replacing a manual, counter-based process with a secure, end-to-end digital ecosystem. By integrating Singpass authentication, automated verification workflows, online payment, and biometric facial verification at self-service kiosks, APIC transforms the entire application and issuance lifecycle into a seamless digital journey. 

Companies that require airport passes for their employees will initiate the application online, assign access zones and expiry dates, and send a secure link to the applicant. Applicants complete the online form with personal details auto-populated from Singpass MyInfo, upload a photo, complete the required security and safety briefing, make payment online, then schedule biometric enrolment and pass collection. The collection process at the self-service kiosks then automatically verifies the submitted photo, ID photo and live photo through facial recognition. 

85% reduction in collection time, up to 1,500 passes daily

The impact has been significant. The Seasonal Airport Pass Office now operates seven APIC self-service kiosks and processes an average of 250 airport passes daily. Since implementation, the average seasonal pass collection time has been reduced from approximately 90 minutes to just 10 minutes – representing an 85% reduction.

Operating around the clock, the Visitor Pass Offices across Terminals 1 to 4 collectively handle an average of 1,300 passes daily. Previously, waiting times during peak periods ranged from 30 to 60 minutes. After the installation of APIC self-service kiosks, waiting times have been reduced to no more than five minutes – an improvement of up to 80%. The introduction of disposable wristbands also eliminates the need for ID exchange and removes the requirement for a return visit. Visitor entry and exit records are digitally tracked through the system, with automated alerts triggered if a visitor remains in restricted areas beyond a pre-set threshold.

Increased operational efficiency and workforce optimisation

Beyond enhancing applicant experience, APIC has significantly reduced backend processing workload. Automation of document verification, approval routing, data validation and payment handling has optimised manpower utilisation, contributing to a 30% headcount reduction at the Airport Pass Office. Remaining staff have been redeployed to higher-value security and compliance tasks such as exception handling, oversight, and security assurance. 

The transformation improves productivity, cost efficiency, and service quality simultaneously.

Strengthening security whilst enabling future innovation

Beyond efficiency gains, APIC enhances security integrity. By leveraging Singpass authentication, MyInfo trusted data, biometric facial verification, and automated audit logs, the system reduces human error and strengthens identity assurance.

The platform was designed with scalability and adaptability at its core. It supports increasing traffic volumes and evolving regulatory requirements. Its modular architecture enables continuous enhancements as digital identity standards and aviation security technologies evolve.

APIC demonstrates how secure automation can modernise critical airport infrastructure without compromising compliance. It positions Changi Airport at the forefront of digital access innovation and establishes a new benchmark for secure, scalable airport pass management.

The Singapore Business Review Technology Excellence Awards is the most prestigious awards programme for technological innovations, recognising exceptional companies in Singapore that are riding the digital disruption wave and leading the technological revolution and digital journeys of their respective industries.

The Singapore Business Review Technology Excellence Awards is presented by Singapore Business Review Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding contributions in pursuit of technological innovation, please contact Danica Avila at +(65) 3158 1386 ext 217 or [email protected].