SkyPier gives 26 millions direct access to HKIA

(HONG KONG, 23 September 2003) - SkyPier goes into operation next Monday, 29 September, offering millions in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) direct access to world class facilities at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA). High-speed ferries will shuttle passengers to SkyPier where they will board bonded buses for the airport, bypassing immigration and customs formalities, cutting by up to half the current four hours transit time. Initially, ferries will operate to four ports -- Shekou, Shenzhen, Macau and Humen in Dongguan, extending later to Zhuhai, Guangzhou and Zhongshan. Speaking at the Opening Ceremony today, Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr David J Pang said SkyPier airport ferry terminal might not be seen as a big project compared to major works at the airport, but it was a significant one for Hong Kong. “We are all excited because this is a very innovative way to extend our local market reach of seven million people to 26 million in the Pearl River Delta, making HKIA a truly multi-modal international transport hub with land and sea transport.” With SkyPier, travellers would whisk through HKIA for direct flights to 140 destinations served by 74 airlines. The opening of SkyPier now makes HKIA a truly multi-modal international transport hub, with sea, land, and of course air services. Dr Pang said he expects SkyPier to attract one million travellers in its first year. General Manager of Hong Kong International Airport Ferry Services Limited (HKIAFS), operator of SkyPier, Mr Peng Dong said the project was a perfect example of close co-operation between the relevant authorities in the PRD and Hong Kong. He commended Dr Pang for his driving force in seeing the project grow from a plan into reality in little more than a year. “The opening cannot come at a better time. We see a strong and continuous growth in travellers, boosted by CEPA and as more cities allow individual travel”, Mr Peng said. Mr Peng joined Dr Pang in thanking the Authorities in Guangdong, Dongguan and Macau for their assistance, including those in Hong Kong whose departments were represented by senior officials at the ceremony. HKIAFS is a 60-40 joint venture of Chu Kong Shipping Enterprises (Holdings) Ltd and Shun Tak – China Travel International Logistics Investment Ltd. Mr Peng is also Deputy General Manager of Chu Kong. From left to right: AA Commercial Director, Mr Hans Bakker, Director, Hong Kong International Airport Ferry Terminal Services Ltd, Mr Chan Kwok Sing, AA Chief Executive Officer, Dr David J Pang, Chairman, Hong Kong International Airport Ferry Terminal Services Ltd, Mr Chen Aixue, General Manager, Hong Kong International Airport Ferry Terminal Services Ltd, Mr Peng Dong, and Chairman, Board of Airline Representative, Mr Robert Culter. -- ends --