Garuda Indonesia, national flagship carrier, announced recently that its operations at Changi International Airport in Singapore had moved from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3. This was Garuda's first move since Changi opened 30 years ago. The airline's senior general manager for Asia, Risnandi, said Terminal 3 was new and known as the best terminal in the world with its state-of-the-art facilities. He said the facilities would suit Garuda's own transformation plans. Garuda's 16 daily flights are equivalent to about 12 per cent of the total number of flights currently handled at T3. Airport operator Changi Airport Group (CAG) is also in talks with two or three other airlines about moving from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 in the next quarter, said its spokesman Ivan Tan. The $1.36 billion Terminal 3, which opened in January 2008, is home to seven airlines, the biggest being Singapore Airlines (SIA). At Terminal 1, total traffic jumped 21 per cent last year from 2009, outpacing the airport's overall growth of 13 per cent. At busy Terminal 1, travelers and visitors sometimes have to put up with longer queues at check-in counters, shops and restaurants compared with those at other terminals. Garuda's senior general manager for Asia, Risnandi, said the move to Terminal 3 will lead to better service for its customers. From 12 check-in counters at Terminal 1, the Indonesian airline will have 16 at Terminal 3.(jp/jg/mar)