Routes World hosted a panel discussion focused on the transformation of airports into sought-after travel destinations, with Jonathan Song – chief commercial officer at the Plaza Premium Group – and Mayur Patel – head of Asia at OAG Aviation in Singapore – engaged in a dialogue sharing their insights.
Song emphasized the necessity of adapting to the evolving demands of travelers and enhancing the overall passenger experience to attract a greater number of connecting passengers. He asserted that, in addition to offering flight routes, Hong Kong International Airport must provide high-quality services that cater to the diverse needs of various demographics in order to increase the appeal to transit passengers.
He noted that the sophistication of airport service requirements is rising in tandem with the growing number of travelers. For example, there is an increasing demand for VIP lounges, shuttle services, and shopping guide assistance.
Song added that HKIA has made significant investments in its infrastructure, including the three-runway system and the SKYTOPIA project, which aims to attract more international and mainland passengers to transit through Hong Kong.
He posited that, if passengers can enjoy a comfortable and pleasant shopping experience at Hong Kong's airport, there would be little incentive to seek transit through Singapore, Taiwan, or other locations.
In addition, Patel said HKIA serves as a model of successful intermodal transport, pointing to the airport's ferry terminal, which connects transit passengers to nine ports, thereby drawing numerous travelers from the Greater Bay Area.
He also remarked on the growing popularity of Singapore's Changi Airport Group's seamless sea-air intermodal transport concept and noted that Terminal 5 will adopt a similar approach, which he believes will offer greater convenience for passengers traveling with substantial luggage.
