Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is located less than five flying hours from half of the world's population. We are the fifth busiest international passenger airport and operate the busiest international cargo facilities in the world.
In 2007, more than 47.8 million passengers used the airport, and over 3.74 million tonnes of air cargo passed through Hong Kong. With some 800 aircraft movements every day and close to 90 airlines operating from HKIA, HKIA links Hong Kong with more than 150 destinations round the world, including some 40 cities on the Chinese Mainland.
Since we commenced operations in July 1998, we have made every effort to provide passengers with customer-focused facilities and services. This commitment has earned us the world's best airport recognitions. The latest survey by the independent air transport research organisation, Skytrax, ranked HKIA as No.1 – the seventh time in eight years. It was also named best airport by many other entities. These awards give us impetus to deliver even better airport experience.
With the opening of Terminal 2 in June 2007, HKIA is now a two-terminal and two-runway facility contributing to the economic growth for Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. Today, the 60,000-strong airport community serves as the key contributor to Hong Kong's position as a leading regional and international aviation hub.
Multi-modal Mainland connections
HKIA is a gateway hub of China. To serve growing demand, we will continue to strengthen our integrated, multi-modal transport network with the Mainland, especially the PRD.
Some 320 coach trips a day link HKIA with 90 PRD cities and towns. Passengers looking for point-to-point transport services can use the cross-boundary limousine to get to your PRD destinations directly.
The SkyPier cross-boundary ferry service connects passengers between the PRD and international destinations via HKIA, in comfort and without going through immigration and customs formalities in Hong Kong.
Six PRD ports – Shenzhen Shekou and Fuyong, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Zhuhai and Macau – currently offer these speedy cross-boundary arrangements. Passengers can even pre-check their baggage and obtain their boarding pass at Fuyong, Shekou, Macau and Dongguan Humen. A new permanent SkyPier facility is under construction.
Building a better airport
A HK$50 billion investment, HKIA has been one of the largest engineering and architectural projects in the world . During the last decade we invested an average of more than HK$2 billion a year to expand capacity and enhance airport facilities. Newly completed facilities included Terminal 2, 10 new cargo stands, HKIA Tower and the Airport World Trade Centre.
Everything we do is focused on strengthening Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness. In this regard, we have recently undertaken a HK$4.5 billion programme for Terminal 1 capacity enhancement and airfield improvements such as the building of North Satellite Concourse, the reconfiguration of the Departures Immigration Hall, the addition of new taxiways and resurfacing of the two runways.
To expand aviation support services and air cargo handling facilities, the franchise for a new air cargo terminal was awarded in early 2008 and within a few years, additional hangars for aircraft maintenance and business jets will come into service.
Developments are also underway to serve the growing stream of multi-modal traffic to and from the Chinese Mainland. They include expansion of cross-boundary ferry and coach services and the building of a permanent SkyPier ferry terminal, which is scheduled to open in 2009.
Planning for the future, HKIA has been looking at the potential development of the Midfield for more bridge-served parking stands and terminal facilities. We will also commence the engineering and environmental studies on the feasibility of a third runway at the airport.
* A brief history of Kai Tak Airport can be found here.
