AviationHong Kong International Airport aims to transform into an Airport City, becoming a regional hub for entertainment, business, and travel.

Hong Kong’s sky-high ambitions of creating an Airport City

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With a three-runway system, enhanced facilities, and the development of SKYCITY, HKIA aims to enhance the passenger experience, expand capacity, and improve connectivity with the Greater Bay Area.
With a three-runway system, enhanced facilities, and the development of SKYCITY, HKIA aims to enhance the passenger experience, expand capacity, and improve connectivity with the Greater Bay Area. Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/Markus Mainka

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is undergoing a series of major projects to realise its vision of becoming an Airport City and a new landmark in the region. The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has put forward this vision, building upon HKIA's status as a leading international aviation hub.

HKIA is globally connected, serving over 220 destinations through 120 airlines, with half of the world's population reachable within a five-hour flight. It is renowned for being one of the busiest airports, handling both passenger and cargo traffic effectively.

The development of the three-runway system (3RS) at HKIA is a significant project aimed at increasing capacity. The new Third Runway, commissioned in November 2022, will allow the airport to handle 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually. Other facilities under the 3RS project, such as the T2 Concourse, new Baggage Handling System, Terminal 2 expansion, and more, are progressing rapidly.

In addition to the 3RS project, AAHK is enhancing existing airport facilities to enrich the operational and passenger experience. The Sky Bridge, the world's longest airside footbridge, provides seamless connectivity between Terminal 1 and the T1 Satellite Concourse, offering stunning views of the apron. The luxury shopping zone in Terminal 1 has been revamped, featuring over 40 renowned brands and three new iconic duplex stores. Smart technologies, including facial recognition, are extensively implemented to ensure a hassle-free departure process.

The development of SKYCITY is a significant part of the Airport City vision, covering approximately 25 hectares of land. It will transform HKIA into a regional hub for entertainment, consumer events, business services, and MICE events. The 11 SKIES complex, within SKYCITY, will house over 800 shops and 120 dining options, making it Hong Kong's largest integrated complex. It will also include AsiaWorld Expo (AWE), a major venue for exhibitions and events in Hong Kong, with plans for expansion.

AAHK is also focused on enhancing connectivity with the Greater Bay Area (GBA) in Mainland China, a rapidly growing economic region. The SkyPier Terminal, linked to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, enables GBA air passengers to travel to HKIA's restricted area without going through immigration and customs formalities in Hong Kong. Automated car parks, "Park and Fly" and "Park and Visit," provide parking spaces for air transfer passengers and visitors from the Mainland.

To promote Hong Kong as a travel destination, AAHK has launched the "World of Winners" air ticket giveaway campaign, offering over 500,000 free tickets to major passenger markets. Cathay Pacific Airways, HK Express, and Hong Kong Airlines will distribute the majority of these tickets through their respective channels.

The transformation of HKIA into an Airport City will establish it as a new landmark, offering enhanced services, amenities, and connectivity.

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