Being the convergence point of passenger, cargo, capital and information flow, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has well established itself as an important engine of economic growth, as well as a key contributor to Hong Kongs position being a leading transportation and logistics hub in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region. The success in keeping the flow fluent and reliable and in providing a high-quality service to airport customers has won the airport many prestigious acclaims.
HKIA was chosen as the best airport worldwide in the 2004 AETRA survey and scored higher in all categories of service attributes in the 2005 AETRA survey in comparison with 2004. Our commitment to provide the best service also earned us SkyTraxs 'Airport of the Year 2005' title. This was the fifth time in a row we got this prestigious award. In fact, passengers overall satisfaction has continued to improve at HKIA over the previous years. The results not only reflect recognition of our service enhancements by international passengers but also enable HKIA to remain one of the world's best airports. These and other accolades reinforce Hong Kong's official branding as 'a dynamic physical and cultural hub with world-class infrastructure.
As the world's fifth busiest international passenger airport and most active worldwide air cargo operation, HKIA sees an average of 750 aircraft take off and land every day. Over 80 airlines, including 18 all cargo carriers, operate at HKIA, linking Hong Kong with more than 140 locations round the world. An extensive air network and Hong Kong's strategic location position HKIA as Asia's 'Superhub' and the most accessible gateway of China. With regular flights to about 40 destinations in mainland China, HKIA becomes the airport
of choice for international travellers to and from the Mainland while meeting the ever-growing travel and cargo needs of the rapidly-expanding PRD region. In light of globalization and regional integration, it is crucial for us to further integrate the extensive international connection of HKIA with the transport network of PRD airports.
Special facilities and processes make HKIA easily accessible to the PRD's population of 48 million, as well as to the fledgling air travel market offered by the mainland in general. Creating fast, hassle-free surface connectivity between the PRD and HKIA is an ongoing priority for the airport, which has co-operated with transport providers locally and across the border to establish user-friendly land and sea links.
The SkyPier service a project consisting of a temporary ferry terminal and cross-boundary ferry service - for example, enables passengers from the PRD to journey to HKIA by high-speed cross-boundary ferries. Travellers arriving SkyPier terminal then proceed to the passenger terminal by bonded buses for their flights without having to go through immigration and customs formalities. This has cut travel times from some PRD ports by half. Over 1.3 million passengers used the SkyPier service in 2005, proving that the convenient accessibility and efficient connectivity the ferry service provides are gaining popularity among customers. A permanent ferry terminal is under construction to replace the temporary one.
In addition to cross-boundary ferry service, some 170 coach trips are made every day by three bus companies to link HKIA with 40 towns and cities in the PRD. Calling at smaller towns to optimise each route, the coaches - which pass through border immigration and customs checks - carried a total of 1.44 million passengers in 2005. Since June 2005, passengers expecting more comfort can use the cross-boundary limousine service - SkyLimo. In 2005, more than 180,000 people used this service for their journeys to and from their PRD destinations.
The introduction of cross boundary ferry, coach and limousine services is part of a wider initiative to lure mainlanders to use HKIA for their business and leisure trips. Starting from November 2005, passengers using cross-boundary ferry service can pre-check their luggage at Shekou of Shenzhen. The worlds first cross boundary check-in arrangement can truly free passengers the burden of carrying pieces of luggage when traveling to HKIA by ferry.
The past few years saw healthy growth in passenger traffic. Annual passenger throughput reached 40.74 million in 2005, up 9.7% over 2004. The high passenger volume helped HKIA's SkyMart to flourish into a shoppers' paradise with 160 outlets and 40 eateries over more than 39,000 square metres. The passenger terminal has been designed to provide calm, clarity and convenience and offers a wide range of useful and relaxing facilities including rest lounges, a proliferation of TV screens carrying news and entertainment, free and pay-Internet lounges and a children's play area. In addition, travellers with Wi-Fi enabled laptops can enjoy high-speed Internet access almost anywhere airside without wires and phone-sockets. Landscape features and a range of art exhibits are also put in place to add congeniality to the airport ambience. With these exceptional selections of merchandise, food, service and facilities, passengers can easily find their dining, shopping, and even aesthetic needs satisfied.
The airport terminal is also well designed to accommodate the Airbus 380, the world's largest commercial plane, due to begin flying in 2006. HKIA also maintains some of the world's highest standards in efficiency, security and safety, which is quintessential to provide a peace of mind for passengers passing through the airport. A great deal of effort and attention paid to addressing customers needs has helped make sure the 'HKIA experience' is increasingly pleasant, easy, safe, efficient and in the end memorable. Performance pledges, for example, are set to ensure that efficiency is maintained at a high standard. Continuous measurement shows that over 90% of passengers now wait less than 15 minutes at check-in areas and the last bag arrives in the reclaim hall within 40 minutes.
HKIA also saw remarkable cargo growth in the previous few years. Cargo throughput for 2005 topped 3.4 million tonnes, a 9.9 per cent increase as compared to 2004. To cope with the mounting demand for more cargo facilities, 10 additional cargo stands and related taxiways will be constructed to enhance operational efficiency and facilitate the air freighter movement. Upon completion, the total number of cargo stands at HKIA will be increased to 35. AAs investment aside, other cargo operators are also investing at HKIA to meet the rising demand for cargo handling. While Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT)s expansion project to increase its annual capacity to 1.5 million tonnes will complete in 2006, DHL Central Asia Hubs enhancement works to almost double its handling capacity will complete in 2007.
As a contributor to Hong Kong's prosperity, HKIA is much more than a launch-pad for international travel - a diverse range of enterprises employing 55,000 people has transformed the airport into a 'mini-economy' in its own right. Prime examples of major companies based at the airport include the two Hong Kong home-carriers Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair (Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited). HKIA is also home to a number of aviation logistics companies such as cargo operators AAT and Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) plus express freight carrier DHL.
Looking to the future development of the airport, the second passenger terminal next to the present passenger terminal which will house an aviation-themed shopping Mecca SkyPlaza is being built. Scheduled to open in 2006, the second passenger terminal and the SkyPlaza are parts of the larger development called SkyCity which will also include the already opened AsiaWorld-Expo exhibition centre, the second airport hotel project, a 9-hole golf course, office development as well as the permanent cross-boundary ferry terminal.
To capture the enormous growth opportunities ahead, $4.5 billion has been earmarked for a series of facility and capacity enhancement projects. An amount of $1.5 billion will be expended to improve the ambience and facilities of the passenger terminal while the remaining $3 billion will be spent for airfield enhancement works. To be implemented in phases, all the projects are expected to be completed by 2010.
With management focused on the core values of safety, security, operational efficiency and service excellence - and with a range of expansion projects already planned for implementation - the scene is set for growth and an even greater strategic role in the region's future for HKIA. By providing a high-quality service and by ensuring our customers a worry-free and fun-packed journey at HKIA, we strive to provide a unique, memorable and dynamic airport experience to all airport users.
This placemark contains the following building:
Air Cargo Terminals
Air Mail Centre
Air Traffic Control Complex
Aircraft Recovery Equipment Storage
Airport Authority Administration Office
Airport Authority Archive Store
Airport Authority Maintenance Headquarters
Airport Authority Office
Airport Authority Training Centre
Airport Police Station
Airport Store Building
Asia Airfreight Terminal
AsiaWorld-Expo
Aviation Fuel Tank Farm
Aviation Security
Back-up Air Traffic Control Complex
Cathay Pacific Airway Flight Training Centre
Cathay Pacific Catering Services
Cathay Pacific City
CNAC Group Building
Dah Chong Hong / Dragonair Airport GSE Services
DHL Central Asia SuperHub
Dragonair Building
Express Centre
Freight Forwarding Centre
Gate Gourmet Catering Building
Government Flying Service Headquarters
Ground Support Engineering
HAECO Heavy Maintenance Facility
Hong Kong Oxygen and Acetylene
LSG Sky Chefs
Main Fire Station
Nine Eagles Golf Course
Passenger Terminal
Pump Station
Regent Airport Hotel
SkyCity
SkyPier
SkyPlaza
Sub Fire Station
Telephone Exchange
Tradeport Logistics Centre
Vehicle Inspection Centre
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