HK airport Terminal 2 to partially open in September

The new Terminal 2 at Hong Kong International Airport will begin phased operations this September, with its coach waiting hall set to open on September 23 ahead of the full departure hall launch as early as March next year, the Airport Authority announced.

The HK$12.9 billion reconstruction, part of the airport’s three-runway expansion project, comes as passenger volumes continue recovering post-pandemic. 

Airport Authority Hong Kong Chief Executive Officer Vivian Cheung Kar-fay said the terminal is technically ready but awaiting optimal conditions, with the full departure hall opening planned after the Lunar New Year travel peak but before Easter.

Cheung anticipated the airport’s passengers to reach 63 to 66 million this year, and further increase to over 70 million next year with Terminal 2 commencing service.

While the initial opening phase will still require passengers to take automated trains to Terminal 1 gates, new boarding gates within Terminal 2's concourse will open between late 2026 and early 2027.

Cheung revealed that 10 to 20 airlines serving regional routes to Japan, Thailand, mainland China and others, including HK Express, Greater Bay Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines, will gradually relocate check-in operations from Terminal 1 starting March next year.

The expanded terminal will feature automated baggage drops and other youth-oriented services, Cheung added.

The upcoming coach hall will provide 41 bays for tour buses, cross-border coaches and hotel shuttles currently using Terminal 1 parking.

Before the departure hall opens, the Authority plans to host a public running event in the non-restricted area to familiarize residents with the new facility.

With the airport's eventual capacity for 120 million annual passengers, Cheung emphasized Hong Kong's role as an Asian aviation hub: "Our growth depends not just on local travelers but attracting more Greater Bay Area transit passengers through expanded flight routes and frequencies."

Cheung also noted that autonomous vehicles will begin trial operations by year-end,  transporting passengers between the airport city and Hong Kong port at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Regarding the southbound policy for Guangdong vehicles, the authority revealed that the “Park and Fly” and “Park and Visit” parking facilities within the bridge port’s restricted area are nearly complete.

The automated parking complex will offer 1,800 parking spaces and 200 drop-off bays - believed to be Hong Kong's first fully automated parking facility.

(Ayra Wang)