Hong Kong Airport: A Historical Overview Of Its Development

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG) is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, which is mainly reclaimed land. The airport has been in operation since 1998, taking over from its predecessor, Kai Tak Airport, as Hong Kong's main airport. The construction of the airport cost over $20 billion and increased the land mass of Hong Kong by 1%.

Hong Kong International Airport opened in 1998

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG, ICAO: VHHH) opened in 1998 and is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok in western Hong Kong. The airport is also referred to as Chek Lap Kok International Airport to distinguish it from its predecessor, Kai Tak Airport.

The new airport was built on a large artificial island formed by flattening and levelling the former Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau islands and reclaiming land from the seabed. This added nearly 1% to Hong Kong's total surface area.

Hong Kong International Airport is one of the world's busiest airports for both cargo and passenger traffic. It is a major regional hub, connecting much of Asia with the rest of the world. The airport is in operation 24 hours a day and is the primary hub for Cathay Pacific, Greater Bay Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, and Air Hong Kong (cargo carrier).

The airport is operated by Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), a statutory body of the Hong Kong government established in 1995. AAHK unveiled plans in 2010 for the long-term expansion of the airport, including the construction of a third runway. The third runway opened in July 2022, with the Centre Runway reopening in November 2024 following upgrades.

The construction of Hong Kong International Airport was part of the Airport Core Programme, which also included the construction of new roads and rail links to the airport, as well as major land reclamation projects. The project holds the record for the most expensive airport project ever, according to Guinness World Records.

The new airport at Chek Lap Kok opened on 6 July 1998, with the arrival of Cathay Pacific Flight 889 from New York JFK Airport. The first week of operations was disrupted by a series of IT failures, but these issues were largely resolved by the end of the week.

Kai Tak Airport, the predecessor to Hong Kong International Airport, was located on the eastern side of Kowloon Bay in Kowloon, Hong Kong. It was in operation from 1925 until 1998 and was officially known as Hong Kong International Airport from 1954 until its closure. Kai Tak Airport was known for its challenging approach due to the surrounding geography, which required a low-altitude turn before final approach.

It's one of the world's busiest airports for cargo and passengers

Hong Kong International Airport (IATA: HKG, ICAO: VHHH) is one of the world's busiest airports for cargo and passengers. The airport is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok in western Hong Kong and opened in 1998. It is the main airport in Hong Kong and is home to one of the world's largest terminal buildings.

The airport is in operation 24 hours a day and is the primary hub for Cathay Pacific, Greater Bay Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, and Air Hong Kong (cargo carrier). More than 100 airlines operate flights from the airport to over 180 cities across the globe. In 2015, the airport handled 68.5 million passengers, making it the 8th busiest airport worldwide by passenger traffic and the 4th busiest by international passenger traffic.

Hong Kong International Airport has been recognised for its operational excellence, winning the International Airport Review Award for Airside Operations in 2017. The airport has also been inducted into TTG's Travel Hall of Fame after winning the "Best Airport" Award ten times.

The airport is an important economic contributor to Hong Kong, employing about 60,000-65,000 people. In 2018, the economic contribution generated by Hong Kong's air travel industry amounted to US$33 billion, 10.2% of Hong Kong's GDP.

The construction of Hong Kong International Airport was a massive project that added nearly 1% to Hong Kong's total surface area. The airport site includes a large artificial island formed by flattening and levelling the former Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau islands, as well as reclaiming a significant area of the adjacent seabed. The project holds the record for the most expensive airport project ever, according to Guinness World Records.

Hong Kong International Airport replaced its predecessor, Kai Tak Airport, which was located in a densely built-up area of Kowloon City. By the 1990s, Kai Tak Airport had become one of the world's busiest airports, but it faced challenges due to limited space and increasing air traffic. The new airport at Chek Lap Kok was designed to address these issues, allowing for more efficient round-the-clock operations with multiple runways.

The airport is on the island of Chek Lap Kok

Hong Kong International Airport is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, in the western waters of Hong Kong's New Territories. The airport is also referred to as Chek Lap Kok International Airport or Chek Lap Kok Airport to distinguish it from its predecessor, the former Hong Kong International Airport, commonly known as Kai Tak Airport.

Chek Lap Kok is a small island located north of Lantau Island, off Ma Wan Chung and Tung Chung. The island was partially levelled and assimilated via land reclamation to form a larger island for the construction of the airport. The original Chek Lap Kok island was about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) long, with an area of 3.02 square kilometres (1.17 sq mi). The southern end of the island featured a small peninsula, which has been largely left untouched and is now named Scenic Hill.

The name "Chek Lap Kok" may have originated from the bareness of the island ("da chek lak"), the resemblance of the island's shape to the Pagrus fish ("chek lap"), or the former abundance of this fish in the surrounding waters. The island has a long history of human habitation, dating back to the Middle Neolithic period 6,000 years ago. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the inhabitants of Chek Lap Kok practised farming, rice cultivation, and quarrying.

In the 1970s, a planning study identified Chek Lap Kok as a potential site for a future airport to replace the aging Kai Tak Airport, which was struggling to keep up with increasing air traffic. The new airport site was far from the congested city centre, allowing for flight paths over the South China Sea instead of crowded urban areas. This enabled the efficient 24-hour operation of multiple runways.

The construction of Hong Kong International Airport began in 1991 and was completed in 1998. The airport was built on a large artificial island formed by flattening and levelling Chek Lap Kok and Lam Chau islands and reclaiming seabed adjacent to them. The airport site added nearly 1% to Hong Kong's total surface area. The construction project was extremely rushed due to financial constraints and uncertainties surrounding the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China.

Chek Lap Kok Island is also home to Hong Kong SkyCity, a business and entertainment complex that includes AsiaWorld-Expo, a convention and exhibition centre. Additionally, the head offices of several airlines, such as Cathay Pacific City and Hong Kong Airlines, are located on the airport platform.

Hong Kong Airport replaced Kai Tak Airport

Hong Kong International Airport, also known as Chek Lap Kok International Airport, replaced Kai Tak Airport in 1998. The new airport is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, 30 kilometres (19 miles) west of its 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 water on three sides of the runway. This made landing a technically demanding task for pilots, who had to fly above Victoria Harbour and Kowloon City, before making a 47-degree right-hand turn at low altitude to land on the runway.

Kai Tak was Hong Kong's international airport from 1925 until 1998. The airport was home to Hong Kong's international carrier Cathay Pacific, as well as regional carriers Dragonair and Hong Kong Airways. In 1996, Kai Tak was the third busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic, handling 29.5 million passengers and 1.56 million tonnes of freight.

However, the airport was operating beyond its capacity, and the growth of Hong Kong had resulted in the airport being surrounded by residential areas. This caused serious noise and engine pollution for nearby residents, and a night curfew from 11:30 pm to 6:30 am hindered operations.

In the late 1980s, the Hong Kong Government began searching for alternative locations for a new airport. After considering several sites, the government decided to build the new airport on the island of Chek Lap Kok, off Lantau Island. This location was far away from Hong Kong's main residential areas, minimising the dangers of a major crash and reducing noise pollution.

The new airport opened on 6 July 1998, with the arrival of Cathay Pacific Flight 889 from New York JFK. The new airport featured one of the world's largest passenger terminal buildings and was designed to handle over 60 aircraft movements an hour.

The construction of the new airport was part of the Airport Core Programme, which also included the construction of new roads, rail links, and tunnels, as well as the development of the new town of Tung Chung. The new airport has become one of the world's busiest and best airports, known for its efficient operations and modern facilities.

The airport is a hub for Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines and others

Hong Kong International Airport, located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, is a vital aviation hub and the world's busiest cargo gateway. It is also one of the world's busiest passenger airports, handling around 160,000 passengers daily, close to pre-pandemic levels. The airport is a hub for several airlines, notably Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Greater Bay Airlines, HK Express, and Air Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong's flagship airline, has expressed strong support for the Hong Kong government's initiatives to reinforce the city's position as a leading international aviation hub. The airline has committed to serving 100 global destinations by 2025, showcasing its role in expanding Hong Kong's international connectivity. Cathay Pacific also welcomed the government's plans to implement a Three-Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport, which is expected to accommodate millions more passengers and cargo each year.

Hong Kong Airlines is another prominent carrier that utilises Hong Kong International Airport as its hub. The airline has been ramping up its services throughout Asia, particularly with the reopening of China and the thriving Japanese market.

In addition to being a hub for passenger airlines, Hong Kong International Airport is also a significant cargo hub. It has been the busiest cargo airport since 1996, handling approximately 4.3 million tons of cargo annually. The airport's convenient location in the "heart of Asia" contributes to its status as a vital cargo hub, with 50% of the world's population within a five-hour flight radius.

The airport's efficient operations and strategic location have made it a preferred choice for airlines seeking a base in the region. With its advanced infrastructure and continuous expansion projects, Hong Kong International Airport is poised to maintain its position as a prominent aviation hub, catering to both passenger and cargo demands.

Frequently asked questions