Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has embarked on a series of large projects aimed at turning it into an Airport City. To accommodate future air traffic growth, the Airport Authority is expanding HKIA into a three-runway system which is one of the largest infrastructure projects in the history of Hong Kong. The three-runway system allows HKIA to handle the long-term demand of air traffic growth.
The scale of the three-runway system (3RS) project is almost equal to building a new airport next to the existing one. It involves the following seven core projects. Reclaiming approximately 650 hectares of land north of the existing airport island (equivalent to 34 Victoria Parks, or 100 artificial islands for the New Wing of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center), using non-dredge methods including deep cement mixing, as well as building the T2 Concourse and an associated apron.
We think that Hong Kong International Airport is a very important economic engine for Hong Kong.
Vivian Cheung, executive director of airport operations
“We are adding capacity and functionality, strengthening our cargo leadership, and also making this a landmark for tourism and travelers,” Vivian Cheung, executive director of airport operations for Airport Authority Hong Kong, told the South China Morning Post. “We think that Hong Kong International Airport is not just the airport. It’s a very important economic engine for Hong Kong and for the Greater Bay Area.”
There will be a new, 3 800-meter-long runway and its supporting taxiway systems. The existing North Runway will also be reconfigured. Expanding Terminal 2 to provide full-fledged passenger services including arrivals and departures facilities. A 2 600-meter-long automated People Mover (APM) system that will connect Terminal 2 with the T2 Concourse. The new APM system will operate at a top speed of 80km/h and transport up to 10 800 passengers per hour.
A new Baggage Handling System (BHS) linking Terminal 2 with the T2 Concourse will be built. The new BHS will be capable of handling 9 600 bags per hour. Building other associated airport support infrastructure, road network and transportation facilities.
1. SkyBridge
The Sky Bridge is the world’s longest airside footbridge. It is meant to provide seamless connectivity between Terminal 1 and the T1 Satellite Concourse. 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, have been implemented to ensure a smooth departure process.
2. Greater Bay Area
The development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA) includes strengthening the exchanges between Hong Kong and mainland China. It is a key component of the central government’s 14th five-year plan. With HKIA facing competition from four other airports in the region (Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport, Macau International Airport and Zhuhai Jinwan Airport) as well as a new one under construction in Foshan, Cheung says the biggest challenge is not competing for market demand, but rather increasing capacity.
“The market growth potential is huge,” Cheung told the South China Morning Post. “What we do here is to ensure that we can continue to have enough capacity to serve the market. We upgrade ourselves with technology, and our service with our innovations, to make sure people still like to use our airport.”
3. World of Winners campaign
The “World of Winners” air ticket giveaway campaign, sponsored by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), was launched on May 13th in Korea with a two-day promotional event in Seoul. The campaign is expected to attract thousands of local residents to take part in the event that features performances, photo booths, and on-site games with prizes including 500 free air tickets for traveling to Hong Kong.
The promotional campaign aims to propagate a message to the world that Hong Kong is fully opened to travel, and AAHK is excited to welcome visitors from around the world once again. The campaign represents a great opportunity for Korean travelers to rediscover everything Hong Kong has to offer.
“World of Winners” is organized to support the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government’s “Hello Hong Kong” promotional campaign. AAHK has sponsored 500,000 tickets for home-based carriers to offer travelers from around the world. Of the 500,000 tickets, 24,000 tickets will be distributed to travelers from Korea in phases through a variety of channels.
4. SKYCITY
Covering approximately 25 hectares of land, SKYCITY is one of the largest commercial projects in Hong Kong and is set to transform HKIA from a city’s airport into an airport city. SKYCITY will feature retail complexes, dining areas, hotels, entertainment facilities and offices. According to Travel Weekly Asia, it is expected to transform the airport into a regional hub for entertainment, consumer events, business services, as well as MICE events. It will include AsiaWorld Expo (AWE), an important venue for exhibitions and events.
