'Smartlane' for faster airport screening

Sophie Hui

Passengers will no longer need to take out liquids and electronic devices from their carry-on baggage during security screening at the Hong Kong International Airport from next year.

The new arrangement is one of the measures aimed to make Hong Kong an international aviation hub.

John Lee said the Airport Authority will gradually introduce "Smartlane" next year to make the screening process faster and more convenient so that passengers can avoid taking out items such as liquids and electronic devices from hand baggage during security checks.

However, passengers will still not be able to carry liquids exceeding 100 milliliters in their cabin luggage.

Government sources said the "Smartlane" system is an advanced screening equipment that can detect the type of liquid stored in the baggage.

Lee also said the airport will introduce the "Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong" passenger service, allowing "seamless travel" between the mainland and other places in the world via Zhuhai and Hong Kong in an "air-land-air" mode using the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Passengers can go through the security check at the airport before heading to Zhuhai airport via land transport - and will not be required to go through security screening again before boarding their flight at Zhuhai airport, sources said.

On tourism, Lee said the administration will consult with the sector and formulate the "Development Blueprint for Hong Kong's Tourism Industry 2.0" to complement tourism development, with the updated version to be published next year.

Authorities will also announce an action plan for the development of the cruise tourism economy in the first half of next year.

Additionally, Lee said the administration will inject HK$4.3 billion to the Film Development Fund and the CreateSmart Initiative.

Create Hong Kong, an office set up in June 2009 dedicated to spearheading the development of creative industries, will be restructured as the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, to proactively promote arts and creative sectors, Lee said.

The SAR will launch a signature performing arts program offering a subsidy of up to HK$10 million and an additional HK$5 million fund to match private sector funding to nurture performing arts productions that are representative of Hong Kong.

"This will support representative and large-scale local signature performing arts productions to be staged as long-run performances, attracting more audiences from other places," Lee added.

To promote sports, Lee said the Leisure and Cultural Services Department will consider opening its sports facilities for free on specific festive occasions every year.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com