HKIA joins hands with Shekou Port to launch the world’s first cross boundary check-in service

(Hong Kong, 16 November 2005) - Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has joined hands with Shenzhen's Shekou port to launch the world's first cross boundary check-in service from mid November.

With the introduction of the one-stop check-in service, mainland travellers can now fly via Hong Kong in a truly relaxing and enjoyable way. Upon arrival at Shekou port, they can obtain their boarding passes and check in luggage, which will be directly transferred to their designated flights at HKIA. Travellers can also get cash refund of the pre-paid Airport Departure Tax (APDT) as soon as they arrive at HKIA.

Spearheaded by the Hong Kong Guangdong Cooperation Coordination Unit, the successful launch of the cross boundary check-in service was a result of the regional cooperation within the 9+2 Pan-Pearl River Delta (PRD).

At the launch ceremony, Dr David J Pang, Chief Executive Officer of the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA), said, "The PRD region is our home market, while Shenzhen's Shekou port and HKIA are two major transportation hubs for Guangdong and Hong Kong respectively. Now that the new check-in service is up and running, passengers may fly to more than 100 destinations around the world through Hong Kong in a more pleasant and hassle-free manner.

"In doing so, we are also able to integrate further with the PRD, better serve passengers from the region and contribute to the economic prosperity of both Hong Kong and PRD."

Mr Zhou Yali, Deputy General Manager of China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Company Ltd, said, "Launching the new check-in service at Shekou Port ties in well with the further integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong. This will benefit the airport operator, the pier operator, airline partners as well as passengers at large. To meet customer demands for new services and cope with the increasing passenger flow, we are working on an expansion plan for Shekou. We are also planning a large-scale renovation and reconstruction project for the vicinity of Prince Bay." 

China Merchants Harbour Passenger Service Enterprises, a subsidiary of the China Merchants Holdings (HK), is responsible for operating the service, while SkyLink oversees the operation and provides technical support in ensuring quality of services. Other supporting organizations include Hong Kong International Airport Ferry Terminal Services Ltd, Shenzhen Pengxing Shipping Co. Ltd, Shenzhen Xunlong Shipping Co. Ltd, as well as other airlines.

SkyLink is a joint venture among AA, Cathay Pacific Airways and Hong Kong International Airport Services Ltd, a subsidiary of Dragonair.

Cathay Pacific Director Service Delivery Quince Chong said: "Cathay Pacific has pioneered through-check services for passengers to the Mainland for more than 10 years. The launch of the cross boundary check-in service in Shekou marks another significant milestone in our continuous effort to strengthen sea-to-air transportation links between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and bolster Hong Kong's status as the global aviation hub and the predominant gateway to the Mainland."

"The Mainland has always been Dragonair's core market and we continue to work on enhancing our services there," said Ronnie Choi, Director, Customer Services of Dragonair. "This unique, joint initiative is an example of that. The service provides travellers from cities in the PRD with a quick and convenient way to reach their destination through the pre-eminent aviation gateway of Hong Kong."

Currently, the cross boundary check-in service at Shekou Port covers all Cathay and Dragonair flights and will extend to flights by China Airlines soon and later to  Eva Air, as well as other carriers. AA also plans to launch the service at other PRD ports in the near future.

Since its inception two years ago, more than two million passengers have used HKIA's SkyPier service.