HK airport to open 3 new VIP lounges in T1 this year

Hong Kong International Airport will open three new VIP lounges in the Departures Level of Terminal 1 within this year, Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan said today.

The Airport Authority (AA) has also approved expansion plans for two existing lounges in T1, with one set to be refurbished this year and the other in 2028.

Speaking at a Legislative Council meeting on Wednesday, Chan stated that at present, the airport has 17 lounges that can accommodate up to 22,000 passengers daily. They serve about 16,000 visitors per day.

To meet the growing demand from departing passengers, she indicated that the expanded two lounges in T1 will reopen in 2027 and 2030, respectively, adding around 4,200 square meters of space.

Meanwhile, three new lounges covering approximately 2,300 square meters will begin phased operations starting this year.

As for arriving passengers, Chan noted that the upgraded Terminal 2 will feature two lounges in the Arrivals Hall, totaling about 1,000 square meters. The two are expected to open in phases alongside T2’s phased launch at the end of this year.

Furthermore, the AA has reserved space on the Departures Level of T2 for seven lounges, covering a total area of about 6,000 square meters. These will be opened gradually in line with the opening of T2 Concourse.

In response to passenger feedback that only two lounges operate 24 hours, Chan revealed plans to discuss flexible adjustments to dining and lounge hours with the AA to better serve travelers on red-eye flights.

She also stated that the government had previously urged the AA to accommodate diverse passenger needs beyond lounge services, including designating prayer rooms for Middle Eastern travelers and offering diversified dining options to cater to international visitors.

(Cheng Wong)