Hong Kong Airport's Massive Scale And Capacity

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, north of Lantau Island. The airport has been in operation since 1998, when it replaced Kai Tak Airport as Hong Kong's main airport. Covering an area of 85 hectares, it is one of the busiest airports in the world for both cargo and passenger traffic. The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with the Airport Express train offering a 30-minute journey to and from the airport.

Hong Kong International Airport's location

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA code: HKG) is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, which is situated off the north of Lantau Island in western Hong Kong. The airport sits on land that was largely reclaimed for the explicit purpose of constructing the airport.

The airport is approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of its predecessor, Kai Tak Airport, which was located on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Surrounded by rugged mountains, Kai Tak Airport was situated in close proximity to residential areas, resulting in noise and engine pollution for nearby residents.

In contrast, Hong Kong International Airport is strategically positioned away from the main residential areas of Hong Kong, minimising the risks associated with a major crash and reducing noise pollution. The airport is easily accessible from the city centre, with the Airport Express train providing the quickest and most comfortable travel option, taking approximately 30 minutes.

Hong Kong International Airport is a major aviation hub, offering at least one daily flight to most major cities in Europe and North America. It is renowned for its efficient operations, having been named the "World's Best Airport" by Skytrax on eight occasions.

The airport's size and scale

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, north of Lantau Island, and is the main airport in Hong Kong. The airport has been in operation since 1998 when it replaced Kai Tak Airport as Hong Kong's primary airport. The construction of the airport cost over $20 billion and increased Hong Kong's land mass by 1%.

The airport is situated 34 kilometres (21 miles) from downtown Hong Kong and covers an area of 85 hectares. It is home to two terminal buildings that are within walking distance of each other. The airport is designed by Sir Norman Foster and has been named the "World's Best Airport" by Skytrax eight times.

Hong Kong International Airport is a global aviation hub, with flights to most major cities in Europe and North America at least once daily. The airport is served by over 200 airlines, offering flights to around 220 destinations worldwide, including about 40 cities in mainland China. It is one of the busiest airports in the world for passenger traffic and is the busiest for cargo.

The Airport Express train provides a quick and comfortable connection between the airport and the city centre, with a journey time of just 24-30 minutes. The train runs every 10 minutes from 6 am to 12:45 am, and passengers can enjoy exclusive free services. The airport is also well-served by public bus routes, with five distinct routes, and taxis, offering flexible and fast transportation to and from the airport.

The airport's predecessor, Kai Tak Airport

Hong Kong International Airport's predecessor, Kai Tak Airport, was located on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. The airport was surrounded by rugged mountains, with a range of hills reaching an elevation of 2,000 feet (610 m) less than 4 km (2.5 mi) to the north and northeast of the former runway. Victoria Harbour sat immediately to the south of the airport, with Hong Kong Island farther south.

Kai Tak Airport played a pivotal role in Hong Kong's development as a tourist destination and an international business hub. It was home to Hong Kong's international carrier Cathay Pacific, as well as regional carrier Dragonair, freight airline Air Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Airways. The airport was also home to the former RAF Kai Tak and the Hong Kong Aviation Club.

Kai Tak Airport evolved from a modest British Royal Air Force airstrip in the 1920s to a bustling commercial airport around the 1930s. It experienced relentless expansion, even during World War II, when it primarily served as a military base. After the war, Kai Tak underwent further expansion and modernisation to meet the growing demand for air travel.

The airport's famous single runway (Runway 13/31) extended into Victoria Harbour by reclaiming land, posing a unique challenge for pilots and air traffic controllers. Pilots had to navigate a series of sharp turns and descents while avoiding tall buildings and mountainous terrain. The approach path towards Runway 31 passed within 300 metres (980 ft) of Heng Fa Chuen on Hong Kong Island, and planes had to make a sharp 65-degree left turn soon after takeoff to avoid the hills.

Due to its location and challenging runway, Kai Tak Airport was known as one of the world's most exciting (and terrifying) airports to fly into. It was referred to as the "Kai Tak Heart Attack" landing approach, and it offered passengers a voyeuristic experience as they could see into the apartments of nearby residents. However, despite its popularity, Kai Tak faced challenges such as noise concerns in densely populated urban areas and limited expansion options.

In July 1998, after serving Hong Kong for over six decades, Kai Tak Airport was closed, and operations were relocated to the newly built Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island. The former airport runway and airport grounds of Kai Tak have since been transformed into a vibrant urban district known as Kai Tak Development (KTD).

The airport's transport links

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, north of Lantau Island. It is one of the few major airports in the world with a journey time of under 30 minutes to the city centre. The Airport Express train service connects the airport to Hong Kong Central Station in 24-30 minutes. Trains run every 10 minutes from 5:54 am to 12:48 am, with single fares for adults (aged 12+) starting at HK$70. Passengers can also check in their luggage and print boarding passes at Hong Kong Station.

The Airport Express also stops at Tsing Yi Station and Kowloon Station. Passengers can change to the Tung Chung Line at Tsing Yi Station and the Disneyland Resort Line at Sunny Bay Station.

In addition to the Airport Express, there are several other transport options to and from the airport. These include public buses, taxis, and coaches for residents.

The airport's awards and accolades

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, which is in western Hong Kong. The airport has been recognised and awarded for its excellence in various areas, including customer service, innovation, sustainability, and environmental practices. Here are some of the awards and accolades received by Hong Kong International Airport:

Awards for Operational Excellence and Customer Service:

• World's Leading Airport 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2005 by the World Travel Awards.
• Asia's Leading Airport 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2004, 2003, 2000, 1999, and 1998 by the World Travel Awards.
• China's Leading Airport 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020 by the World Travel Awards.
• World's Leading Airport - Customer Experience 2023 and 2022 by the World Travel Awards.
• Asia's Leading Airport - Customer Experience 2019 by the World Travel Awards.
• Top Service Brand Award by the Hong Kong Brand Development Council and Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong.
• Outstanding Customer Service Award – Merit by the Hong Kong Association for Customer Service Excellence.

Awards for Innovation and Digital Transformation:

• Diamond Award for Best Corporate Governance Disclosure by the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
• Gold Award (Corporate Website: Transport Services) by MerComm, Inc.
• Outstanding Achievement Award (Travel/Tourism) by Interactive Media Council, Inc.
• HKT Innovation Champion of the Year – Innovative Organisations Award (Large) by the Hong Kong Management Association.

Awards for Sustainability and Environmental Practices:

• Hong Kong Awards for Environmental Excellence (HKAEE) in 2022 and 2021.
• Gold Award in the "Over 35 million passengers per annum" category by Airports Council International Asia-Pacific Regional Assembly.
• Grand Gold - OSH Promotional Award by the Occupational Safety and Health Council.
• Outstanding - Safety Performance Award by the Occupational Safety and Health Council.
• Best in ESG Practices and Best in ESG Report by TVB.
• Gold Award in the Public and Community Services Category by the Hong Kong Government's Environmental Campaign.

Other Notable Accolades:

Hong Kong International Airport has also been recognised for its efficient connectivity, being one of the few major cities in the world where travellers can reach the city centre from the airport in less than 30 minutes via the Airport Express. Additionally, the airport has been acknowledged for its architectural design, being designed by Sir Norman Foster, and for its contribution to Hong Kong's economy, employing about 60,000 people and generating US$33 billion, or 10.2% of Hong Kong's GDP, in 2018.

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