A joint venture of Japan’s Penta-Ocean Construction Company and Singapore’s Koh Brothers Building & Civil Engineering has won a $780m contract to build connecting tunnels under terminal five at Singapore’s Changi Airport.

The intra-terminal tunnels will transfer passengers and baggage.

A series of sub-tunnels will also be built for an automated people mover, baggage handling and utilities.

The JV will also construct a ventilation building and preliminary work for a future underground infrastructure tunnel.

Ong Chee Chiau, Changi Airport Group’s managing director for Changi East, said: “The award of the T5’s intra-terminal tunnel works marks another important development in the construction of T5 and the wider Changi East project.

“These tunnels will enable the smooth and efficient movement of passengers, baggage and services.”

Ground broke on terminal five last month, it has been delayed since 2020 due to Covid-19.

Tunnelling work is due to be completed in 2029.