The Future of Hong Kong International Airport

While new airports continue to sprout up around the world, the 20-year-old Hong Kong International Airport remains one of the globe’s top-ranking and most profitable aviation hubs.

After replacing the iconic, albeit somewhat intimidating, Kai Tak Airport in 1998, Hong Kong’s primary airport has set the gold standard for what a modern, world-class travel facility should be.

And yet, the best may still be ahead.

Plans include an expansion to Terminal 1, known as T1 Annex, featuring additional check-in counters, luggage belts, and a tranquil rooftop garden for visitors to enjoy.

The T1 Annex, set to open in 2019, will feature a striking 200-meter-long sky bridge, towering 28 meters high—sufficient for A380s to pass beneath—complete with an observatory deck and a range of retail outlets.

A new 12-story multi-purpose building is currently under construction at Hong Kong Airport. It will house an Aviation Academy, recreational facilities for airport personnel, 1,400 additional parking spaces, and a dedicated nursery for parents working at the airport.

Then there's the sprawling 25-hectare Skycity, a vibrant hub combining dining, shopping, entertainment, new hotels, and office spaces.

The Skycity development is planned for completion in multiple phases from 2019 to 2027. Instead of simply extending the airport, developers envision it as a standalone destination.

"Skycity is our latest vision," says CK Ng, Executive Director of Airport Operations at Hong Kong International Airport. "We aim to redefine the concept of an airport city into a full-fledged urban destination."

Smart Airports, Smart Luggage

While these major updates won't be felt until 2019, there are already more subtle enhancements taking place across the airport.

Advanced automation and robotics, including smart CCTV with analytics, are being integrated into airport security checkpoints to streamline operations.

"Our goal is to stay ahead of the game," says Ng. "We aim to predict and prevent issues before they arise, keeping congestion to a minimum."

Soon, mobile self-check-in kiosks will be set up at various locations around the city—such as hotels and convention centers—allowing passengers to check in for any airline with ease.

This follows the recent rollout of smart luggage tags that alert passengers via the HKG My Flight app when their bags arrive at the carousel, eliminating the need to crowd around the luggage belt.

The Controversial Third-Runway Project

The most significant and hotly debated upgrade at the airport is the upcoming third runway system, which is expected to open in 2024.

To make room for the new runway, around 650 hectares of land to the north of the current airport will need to be reclaimed.

One major concern is the impact the land reclamation may have on the population of Chinese white dolphins, currently classified as vulnerable in global conservation status.

However, Ng assures that steps are being taken to minimize any environmental impact.

"One of our largest and costliest construction techniques is deep cement mixing, which means we avoid disturbing the seabed or dragging the ocean floor," he explains.

"We also have a strict monitoring system in place. We test the water daily for pollution and monitor the area for Chinese white dolphins. If we spot one within a certain range, work will be paused until it moves on."

A remarkable engineering achievement

The new runway system marks just one of Hong Kong's many reclamation projects.

Arriving in the city today, it’s hard to believe that its 12.55-square-kilometer airport was once a cluster of two islets made up of just three square kilometers of hilly terrain.

Before renowned architect Norman Foster could design the iconic Hong Kong International Airport on Chek Lap Kok island, the land had to be leveled, reclaimed, and the islands joined together.

When the airport was completed and opened in 1998, replacing the notorious Kai Tak International Airport, Chek Lap Kok became Hong Kong’s third largest island and one of the most ambitious civil engineering projects in history.

Less than a year after its grand opening in 1999, Hong Kong International Airport was honored as one of the Top 10 Construction Achievements of the 20th Century at ConExpo, alongside landmarks like the Panama Canal and the Golden Gate Bridge.

Today, it stands as one of the busiest transportation hubs in the world.

Today, all of this effort seems to be paying off.

Hong Kong International Airport has held the title of the world’s busiest cargo airport for eight consecutive years, and it’s also one of the most trafficked airports globally in terms of passenger numbers.

“Before its closure, Kai Tak handled about 29 million passengers annually,” Ng recalls.

“In 2017, we welcomed 73 million passengers, and our cargo traffic has grown from 1.6 million tons two decades ago to 5.1 million tons today,” he adds.

“Achieving this in just 20 years is remarkable. Most airports excel in one area but rarely dominate in both passenger and cargo traffic,” Ng tells Dinogo.

For instance, London’s Heathrow Airport saw approximately 78 million passengers and handled 1.7 million tons of cargo in 2017.

Changi Airport vs Hong Kong International Airport

Ng, who has been part of the aviation industry since 1984, worked at Hong Kong's former Kai Tak Airport for 14 years before transitioning to Hong Kong International Airport on its opening night, July 6, 1998.

Having witnessed significant changes in the aviation sector, Ng attributes the airport's success to its adaptability and ability to evolve over time.

“Historically, airport management focused largely on infrastructure,” Ng explains.

“It shifted from managing infrastructure to managing the flow of passengers, cargo, information, and finances. Now, the focus has evolved into creating unique experiences.”

“Simply meeting customers' basic needs is no longer enough. Airports must distinguish themselves by offering a one-of-a-kind experience that sets them apart.”

Some local media critics argue that Hong Kong International Airport’s upgrades may be coming too late, especially with the rising competition from Singapore's Changi Airport.

Singapore's breathtaking new terminal, Jewel Changi, designed by architect Moshe Safdie, is set to open in 2019, with more expansion projects already in the works.

Skytrax’s World’s Best Airport Awards appear to support this view.

Changi Airport has claimed the title of the world’s best airport for the 6th consecutive year, while Hong Kong International Airport, which held the title from 2001 to 2005 and again from 2007 to 2008, dropped to 5th place in 2018.

Ng downplays the rivalry, saying, “We’re not really focused on winning the title because many of these surveys aren’t always comparing apples to apples – sometimes it’s like comparing apples to oranges.”

“Different airports have different configurations, so we don’t think it’s fair to judge us by just one award. We aim for many other accolades instead,” he adds.

“For instance, during a recent trip to Korea, we were named the most efficient airport by the Air Transport Research Society. Interestingly, Singapore wasn’t even on the list for that particular award. So it really depends on how you look at things,” explains Ng.

A multi-functional airport that serves more than just Hong Kong.

Beyond awards, Hong Kong International Airport has one major advantage: its strategic location close to China.

Another monumental infrastructure project – the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge – is set to further solidify its influence in the region.

Stretching 34 miles (55 kilometers), the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge will become the longest sea-crossing bridge in the world once it opens later in 2018.

The bridge will link Hong Kong to mainland China through a new border crossing station located on Chek Lap Kok.

Despite the controversies surrounding its construction, the bridge is expected to significantly boost traffic at Hong Kong International Airport by attracting a fresh influx of passengers from the Pearl River Delta (PRD).

This is not a new concept for the airport.

As Ng explains, "In 2003, we launched Skypier because we had already identified our target market area at that time."

"With a limited local population, we knew we couldn't rely solely on Hong Kong for passengers," he adds.

To address this, nine ports have been established in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, allowing passengers to check in and drop off their luggage without ever setting foot in Hong Kong, effectively treating them as transfer passengers.

From there, travelers can take an airport ferry directly to Hong Kong International Airport and board their flight with ease.

In 2017, airport authorities reported handling over three million passengers crossing borders.

"This is a departure from the conventional approach to airport management," says Ng.

"Traditionally, airport management focuses on planes in the sky, but here in Hong Kong, it involves overseeing ferries, limousines, and coaches as well. Hong Kong International Airport is truly one-of-a-kind in this regard."