There’s something rather theatrical about airports. They are the stage upon which national carriers preen, alliances are stitched together, and the future of travel is quietly choreographed. Singapore’s Changi Airport, the grand dame of Asian aviation, is no stranger to such drama.
From November 2025, Lion Group, the sprawling Southeast Asian airline family behind Batik Air Indonesia, Batik Air Malaysia, and Thai Lion Air, will migrate from Changi’s Terminal 3 to the slick, high-tech Terminal 4 (T4).
A Malaysian Encore: Ipoh, Penang and Subang on the Map
Changi is about to hear more Malaysian accents echoing through its halls. Starting in December 2025, Batik Air Malaysia will launch new flights to Ipoh, Penang, and Subang. These routes join the well-trodden path between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, where Batik Air currently operates four daily services.
It’s more than just another dot on the route map. Ipoh — with its limestone hills and colonial charm, and Penang, the gastronomic darling of Malaysia, are natural magnets for Singaporean travellers searching for quick escapes. Subang, meanwhile, is a smart move: the city airport near Kuala Lumpur offers easy onward links without the sprawl of KLIA.
And the timing? Deliciously perfect. These routes will feed directly into Visit Malaysia Year 2026, a nationwide tourism push designed to showcase the country’s cultural riches, culinary wonders, and natural beauty.
Building an Asian Bridge
Lion Group’s Singapore footprint is already respectable. Its airlines currently run 88 weekly services connecting Singapore to Jakarta, Denpasar, Medan, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok. With the new Malaysian additions, the group isn’t just adding flights; it’s strengthening its role as a regional bridge, knitting together communities across Asia.
The symbolism isn’t lost on observers. As aviation emerges from the turbulence of recent years, the ability to expand into secondary cities signals both commercial confidence and long-term vision.
The Terminal 4 Advantage
Now, about that relocation. Terminal 4 may be Changi’s youngest sibling, but it’s also its most futuristic. With a capacity of 16 million passengers annually, T4 is automation heaven. From self-check-in kiosks to biometric boarding gates, passengers are nudged towards a smoother, quicker journey.
And because this is Changi, the tech isn’t sterile. Travellers wander past the playful Chandelier playground, the lush Steel in Bloom garden, and the evocative Heritage Zone. It’s all very Singaporean — efficiency blended with a theatrical wink.
Lion Group’s move means it will join 20 airlines already operating at T4, a mix of 10 full-service carriers and 10 low-cost challengers. Changi Airport Group (CAG) has confirmed the group will be fully onboarded onto FAST, the full suite of automated self-service options. Expect trials, fine-tuning, and much hand-holding before the November 2025 switchover.
Voices from the Top
CAG’s Executive Vice President of Air Hub and Cargo Development, Lim Ching Kiat, is buoyant:
“CAG views Lion Group — one of the largest airline groups in Southeast Asia — as a key and valued partner for growing our regional connectivity. With Batik Air Malaysia’s new services to Ipoh, Penang and Subang, services from Singapore to Malaysia will top 460 weekly departing flights, entrenching Malaysia’s position as one of Changi’s top markets.”
For Lion Group itself, this isn’t just about efficiency. It’s about passengers. Captain Daniel Putut, President Director of Lion Group, puts it bluntly:
“The relocation to Terminal 4 is designed to elevate the travel experience. Our passengers will enjoy greater convenience, faster processes, and a terminal that blends modernity with unique attractions. It’s part of our long-term vision to grow alongside our customers’ needs.”
From Malaysia, Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy, CEO of Batik Air Malaysia, strikes an equally optimistic note:
“Singapore has always been an important destination. Enhancing connectivity with the city not only expands travel choices but also opens doors for tourism, business, and cultural exchange.”
And lest we forget Thailand, Mrs Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, Head of Commercial at Thai Lion Air, notes Singapore’s enduring magnetism:
“Singapore has been our inaugural international destination and remains a key market throughout 12 years of operations. We’re planning to expand further with direct flights from additional Thai cities.”
Retail Therapy and Chicken Rice
Of course, no Changi story is complete without retail and food. Terminal 4 has been busy fattening its offerings. Sports giant Adidas now has a cavernous double-volume store. Coffee aficionados will find Malaysia’s ZUS Coffee making its Singapore debut. And foodies can tuck into the holy trinity of comfort eats: Roost’s chicken rice, Papparich’s Malaysian staples, and GO Noodle House’s hearty bowls.
This matters because, let’s be honest, airports are judged as much by their food courts and duty-free aisles as by their punctuality stats. In this sense, Lion Group passengers are in for a treat.
The Practical Bits: More Buses, Less Waiting
Logistics have also been thought through. With more airlines funnelled into T4, shuttle bus services will increase. From November 2025, buses will arrive every five minutes, ensuring that the wait will be mercifully short whether you’re dashing to the MRT or connecting to another terminal.
Why This Move Matters
To the casual traveller, this may sound like business as usual. But in aviation circles, Lion Group’s relocation to T4 signals strategic intent. It frees up capacity at T3, strengthens Changi’s claim as Southeast Asia’s premier hub, and positions Lion Group to ride the next wave of regional demand.
Air travel is recovering, tourism boards are sharpening their pitches, and airlines are rediscovering their appetite for expansion. Lion Group is sending a clear message in this climate: it’s here to grow, connect, and compete.
For Singapore, it means more options and connections, and inevitably, more nasi lemak and Penang laksa runs across the Causeway. It’s another welcome push for Malaysia as the country limbers up for 2026’s tourism showcase.
Passengers get speedier boarding, better shopping, and perhaps a stronger reason to smile at Changi’s automated gates.
Conclusion
Lion Group’s big move isn’t just about a terminal shift. It’s about laying claim to the future of Asian aviation, one in which passengers demand seamless journeys, secondary cities demand direct links, and airports must juggle technology with humanity.
Changi Airport has always thrived on reinvention. With its colourful fleet and ambitious plans, Lion Group is now part of that story — one that will only get busier, louder, and more connected come November 2025.
By Soo James
