Air Quality
AAHK is committed to complying with statutory air quality standards and monitoring and controlling air emissions associated with airport operations.
As one of the world’s busiest airports, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) manages emissions from daily operations through a range of policies, reduction measures and continuous monitoring, with the aim of minimising impacts on the community and surrounding environment.
Our Story
Air Quality Monitoring
Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has been monitoring the air quality at HKIA since 2004 and has made this information available on its website since 2012. The data helps identify the most cost-effective policies and solutions to reduce emissions at HKIA and provides useful insights into regional air quality. Ambient air quality at HKIA is monitored through two on-airport air quality monitoring stations and a control site on Sha Chau. Air pollutants monitored include nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), respirable suspended particulates (PM10), fine suspended particulates (PM2.5), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O3). Average hourly concentrations are collected and disclosed in real-time to the public on our website.
In 2016, we upgraded our website to include hourly Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) information, which makes reference to the AQHI published by the HKSAR Government.
Air Quality Management
AAHK is committed to reducing air emissions that are under our direct control (e.g., emissions related to AAHK’s vehicles) and facilitating emissions reduction by airport business partners and aircraft at parking stands.
Auxiliary Power Units Ban
Aircraft at parking stands normally use their Auxiliary Power Units (APUs)—small engines located at the rear of the aircraft—to provide electrical power when the main engines are switched off. To reduce emissions from burning jet fuel, AAHK implemented an APU ban in December 2014 that controls the use of APUs at frontal stands. In order to meet the electrical power and cabin cooling needs of parked aircraft, AAHK installed around 700 units each of fixed ground power (FGP) and pre-conditioned air (PCA) systems.
Clean Transportation
AAHK is committed to investing in clean transportation to reduce both greenhouse gas (GHG) and air emissions generated by its vehicle fleets.
Airside Vehicles Electrification
AAHK has been implementing an Airside Vehicle Electrification Programme since July 2013. Under Phase 1 of the programme, AAHK required all newly registered saloons operating in the Airport Restricted Area (ARA) to be electric vehicles (EVs). This phase was successfully completed in 2017, with all saloon cars replaced by EVs. The second phase of the programme required replacing all airside private vehicles with a gross weight of less than 3 tonnes with electric models and this was fully completed in December 2023. Phase 3 of the programme commenced in January 2024, targeting the phasing out of the existing fleet of non-electric airside vans, minibuses and buses.
AAHK actively supports the transition to EVs by providing EV charging facilities on the apron. The network of EV chargers is planned to expand to over 1,300 units by 2030 to support the Three-Runway System (3RS) operation. In addition, a Smart-to-Charge (STC) System has been installed on the airside, featuring built-in intelligence that allows more efficient electricity supply to multiple EVs by monitoring the battery condition of each vehicle that is being charged. The STC System not only ensures sufficient charging facility and capacity for HKIA’s growing EV fleet, but also helps reduce installation cost for new charging facilities.
Ground Services Equipment Pooling Scheme
In July 2018, AAHK rolled out the On-stand Ground Services Equipment (GSE) Pooling Scheme at the Midfield Apron as a resource-sharing initiative to optimise capacity and improve ramp handling efficiency. This first phase covered over 250 units of critical GSE, improving air quality and reducing GHG emissions at HKIA as 95% of the GSE is electric. The pooled GSE includes electric lower deck loaders, electric conveyor belt loaders, electric passenger steps and main deck loaders, etc.
Phase 2 of the GSE Pooling Scheme was completed at Terminal 1’s apron in February 2023 and phase 3 will expand coverage to the future T2 Concourse apron. Ultimately, we plan to expand the number of electric GSE units in the scheme to about 1,000 upon full implementation, supported by planned expansion of electric GSE (e-GSE) chargers.
Autonomous Transportation System
AAHK is taking forward the Airportcity Link (ACL) project—a purpose-built bridge that will feature a vehicular road and a pedestrian walkway connecting the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and SKYTOPIA. The ACL will be served by electric vehicles and ultimately an autonomous transportation system supported by zero-emission autonomous vehicles. In the next phase of development, the autonomous transportation system will extend from SKYTOPIA to the nearby Tung Chung town centre.
Air Quality Study with HKUST
Since 2007, AAHK has worked with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to analyse air quality data and study HKIA’s operational impact on air quality. These studies have allowed AAHK to better understand the air quality performance of various aspects of airport operations and facilitated the development of the emissions reduction measures mentioned above.
Quick Facts
2017
Since July 2017, all saloon vehicles on the airside are required to be EVs
2014
AAHK implemented an APU ban in December 2014
20%
The APU ban policy reduces NOx emissions from APU operations by approximately 20%
95%
95% of HKIA’s ground services equipment is electrified
1,300
By 2030, the number of charging points will increase to 1,300 to support airside vehicle electrification
Awards & Recognition
