HKIA Opens Its First Sensory Corner to Support Passengers with Invisible Disabilities

As an international aviation hub, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) welcomes passengers from around the world every day. Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has always sought to look after every passenger from different perspectives, including those with special needs. Recently, the international community has paid increasing attention to people with invisible disabilities. In view of this, AAHK opened the first Sensory Corner at the airport on 1 April 2026, providing passengers with special needs a dedicated space. The Sensory Corner at the airport is the first of its kind in Hong Kong made available free of charge for passengers with invisible disability.

Invisible disabilities refer to disabilities that are not immediately visible from a person’s appearance, such as autism, attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mental health conditions.

AAHK has invited professional organisations, people with invisible disabilities and their caretakers to provide comments on the design of Sensory Corner.

Damien Green, Founder of the Hong Kong Autism Institute, said,  “It is estimated that one in every 39 children has autism in Hong Kong, according to The Chinese University of Hong Kong. People with autism may generally experience hypersensitivity or very low sensitivity to their surroundings. What we worry about most is hypersensitivity in an environment like the airport, a fast moving and busy transport hub, with things like sound, movement and light. It is therefore important that we cater to those sensitivities and needs when it comes to autistic travellers.”

Chris Au Young, General Manager, Terminal and Passenger Experience of AAHK, said “We understand that travellers with invisible disabilities may find it challenging to wait for their flight in the busy environment of an airport. We hope that the Sensory Corner can provide them with a quiet, safe space, away from the crowds, where they can wait comfortably for boarding. This is in line with our commitment to ensuring that every passenger enjoys a high-quality airport experience.”     

Located on the Departures Level in the airport’s restricted area of Terminal 1, the 30 sq metres Sensory Corner adopted an array of special features that would help users regulate their emotions. The walls and floor are fitted with soft padding to ensure users’ safety; the lighting is adjustable depending on the users’ preference and needs. The Sky Explorium is equipped with interactive multi-sensory features, including the Bubble Tube, Colour Command Centre, Hip Hop Activity Box, Serene Scene Panel, Musical Abstract Tactile Panel and a bean bag, offering visual, auditory and tactile stimulation to physically active users. The Sky Cocoon simulated an aircraft’s cabin environment, providing a calm and separated space while helping users familiarise themselves with the cabin environment in advance to be prepared emotionally for their journey.

Mr Tang, whose five-year-old daughter was diagnosed with autism, after using the Sensory Corner, thinks that it is an ideal place for people with invisible disabilities to wait for boarding, “My child has a short attention span, so if she has to wait one to two hours to board, she might be in a bad mood before the journey has even begun. The simulated cabin design allows children to acclimatise to the real environment of an aircraft cabin in advance, making the journey run more smoothly.”

Damien Green, Founder of the Hong Kong Autism Institute, said, “The airport is showing leadership to other organisations in the city and beyond to take measures to support autistic travellers and autistic people in terms of inclusiveness generally.”

Using the Sensory Corner is free of charge, and neither advance booking nor proof of eligibility are required. More details are set out below.

Sensory Corner at Hong Kong International Airport

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