·
Hong
Kong International Airport officially launched its expanded Terminal 2 (T2) on
27 May 2026, marking a major expansion of the airport’s infrastructure.
·
The
development is aimed at strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a global aviation
hub.
·
In
2025, HKIA handled:
o 61 million passenger trips,
o representing a 15% year-on-year increase.
·
The
airport recently received several international awards, including:
o “Best Airport in the World” at the Global
Travel Awards 2026,
o and “Best Airport in China” at the 2026
TTG China Travel Awards for the third consecutive year.
·
The
new T2 spans approximately 300,000 square metres.
·
It is
designed to serve both departing and arriving passengers.
·
T2
departures hall includes:
o 8 check-in aisles,
o 68 express self-bag drop counters,
o 58 smart check-in kiosks,
o and 108 hybrid check-in counters.
·
The
terminal heavily emphasizes automation and digital passenger services.
·
According
to Vivian Cheung, the airport’s in-house self-check-in system can complete the
process in about 45 seconds.
·
Large
LED displays and 3D ocean-themed visuals have been installed throughout the
terminal.
·
The
departures hall includes:
o 8 food outlets, including 4 operating
24/7,
o and 12 retail stores offering travel
products and souvenirs.
·
Michael
Wong said the government would continue strengthening Hong Kong’s aviation hub
status by:
o expanding the aviation network,
o improving connectivity with the
Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,
o and developing the Airport City project.
·
Fred
Lam described T2 as a milestone focused on efficiency, automation, and
passenger comfort.
·
Airport
Authority Hong Kong stated the smooth relocation of airline partners and
positive passenger feedback demonstrated the success of the terminal launch.
[ABS News Service/29.05.2026]
Hong
Kong International Airport (HKIA) embarked on a new era on 27 May, with the
successful launch of the expanded Terminal 2 (T2), further boosting the city's
position as global aviation hub.
In
2025, HKIA handled 61 million passenger trips, representing a year-on-year
growth of 15%. It has recently garnered several prestigious recognitions for
its outstanding performance in areas including security processing, aviation
infrastructure, passenger services, and continuous enhancement of passenger
facilities.
HKIA
was crowned "Best Airport in the World" at the Global Travel Awards
2026, and was voted "Best Airport in China" in the 2026 TTG China
Travel Awards for the third year in a row.
Spanning
300,000 square metres, the new T2 is designed and equipped to serve both
departing and arriving passengers. The departures hall of T2 features eight
check-in aisles, with 68 express self-bag drop counters, 58 smart check-in
kiosks and 108 hybrid check-in counters.
Large
LED displays are installed at different levels of T2, with 3D contents and
ocean-themed videos creating a vibrant atmosphere. The food court at the
departures hall serves passengers with eight catering outlets, four of which
operate around the clock, while 12 shops offer a variety of products, including
travel necessities and souvenirs.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony on 22 May, Michael Wong, Acting Financial Secretary of
the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, said, "The
government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to strengthen HKIA's
position as an international aviation hub, including accelerating the expansion
of the aviation network, enhancing intermodal connectivity with the
(Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao) Greater Bay Area, and advancing the development of
the Airport City. In particular, we will proactively align with and work on the
National 15th Five-Year Plan, and fully support Hong Kong's role as an
international aviation hub."
Fred
Lam, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), said the opening of T2 is
another milestone of the airport's development. "Positioned as a terminal
for leisure travel, T2's design prioritises efficiency and passenger comfort.
We attend to every detail, leveraging technology extensively to enable
efficient self-check in, self-bag drop and smooth immigration clearance,"
he said.
Vivian
Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of AAHK said the Authority was delighted to see
the smooth relocation of airline partners to T2 and the positive passenger
response to the new facilities.
"We
have a lot of LED, animation, and new designs emphasising technology, and we
have our in-house design for self-check in system, which only requires 45
seconds to go through the entire process. We want to help the airlines to
migrate to a full-automation process, which will actually help passengers have
better experiences and also reduce the labour needs," she said.