Changi Airport launches first sensory space to support neurodivergent travellers

On the Ground // Oct 2025

Changi Airport has unveiled its first sensory-friendly facility, the Calm Room, a purposefully designed space created to support neurodivergent travellers and their caregivers for an inclusive CX.

Changi Airport – a Headline Partner of APEX FTE Asia Expo, taking place in Singapore on 11-12 November 2025 – has unveiled its first sensory-friendly facility, the Calm Room, a purposefully designed space created to support neurodivergent travellers and their caregivers. The over 200sqm room provides a quiet, soothing haven for passengers with invisible disabilities and their caregivers, helping them manage sensory overload and travel-related stress.

Located in the Terminal 2 departure transit area, the new Calm Room is the latest initiative under the CARE@Changi programme, which aims to create a more inclusive travel experience.

The Calm Room’s design was developed through close collaboration with organisations like Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) and Metta Welfare Association (MWA), whose insights helped shape a space that meets the needs of neurodivergent individuals. Changi Airport Group also engaged families of persons with invisible disabilities through interviews and user feedback sessions to ensure the space is both safe and comforting for neurodivergent individuals and their companions.

“At Changi Airport, we are committed to create a travel experience that is inclusive and respectful of every individual’s needs,” said Ang Siew Min, Senior Vice President, Airport Operations Services, Changi Airport Group. “We recognise that the airport environment may be overwhelming for some. The Calm Room is designed to provide passengers and their caregivers the comfort, support, and peace of mind to navigate travel with ease.”

The Calm Room comprises four zones, each created to support different sensory needs and preferences. These include quiet areas for rest and relief, as well as supportive spaces designed to help passengers gently recover from sensory overload or emotional overwhelm.

Upon entering the Calm Room, users are welcomed into a soothing, neutral-toned space that shields them from the hustle and bustle of the terminal environment. Additionally, the area is equipped with a virtual Changi Experience Ambassador display, offering on-demand assistance to those who may need support.

The Forest is an open-concept area featuring circular ‘biophilic windows’, which are calming visual projections of Singapore’s lush natural landscapes, designed to ease travel anxiety. These immersive displays are enhanced by gentle music and birdsong. With thoughtfully designed nooks, The Forest balances privacy with visual openness. A variety of seating options cater to different rest positions and age groups, creating a tranquil environment that fosters both solitude and a sense of community.

The third zone, The Den, is designed for individuals who find calm through movement. With padded walls, floors, and seating surfaces, the space provides a safe environment for physical activity. Pebble-shaped cushions add a playful touch, encouraging imaginative use and gentle motion that supports sensory regulation – including vestibular engagement (balance and spatial awareness) and proprioception (body awareness) – to help users self-soothe and unwind.

The fourth and last zone, The Nest, offers two private rooms that are acoustically dampened for added privacy during more intense episodes. To further support emotional regulation, The Nest is equipped with colour-tunable lighting, allowing users to adjust the ambience to suit their sensory needs.

Changi Airport Group is a Headline Partner of APEX FTE Asia Expo, taking place in Singapore on 11 to 12 November 2025. Hear more from Changi Airport Group on the Premium Conference. Jayson Goh, Executive Vice President, Airport Management, Changi Airport Group, is participating in the Opening Keynote Panel – ‘Leadership strategies to maximise capacity, operational efficiency, customer experiences, revenues and workforce, and be ready for change in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond’. Meanwhile, Jeffrey Loke, Senior Vice President, DIVA (Digital Factory), Changi Airport Group, is speaking in a session focused on ‘Embracing collaboration and commercial innovation to create new revenue & business opportunities’.

See our 12 reasons to attend APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025 >> Register for APEX FTE Asia Expo 2025 – free to attend >>