Faster security screening soon at Hong Kong airport

Speedy security screening at Hong Kong’s airport is about to get even faster, but this will come with higher costs – likely to be borne by airlines, which will pass them onto passengers. Hong Kong International Airport is set to unveil a dedicated security channel for premium travellers departing the city, with the service also open to those with special needs and reduced mobility, those who are pregnant, the elderly and adults with infants, according to the Airport Authority. Industry sources said that the airport will charge airlines HK$20 for just the premium passengers using the so-called “fast track” security service, to be officially launched in September.<br/>Cathay Pacific Airways, Cathay Dragon and Hong Kong Airlines will also take part in a test run of the new facilities later this month. The three airlines said they welcomed “any initiative” that boosted the experience of passengers. But a number of major international airlines said they were not interested in signing up for the new service, noting that it did not include speedy immigration checks. One prominent carrier felt it was being pressured to sign up, while another criticised the lack of details about the facility and the benefits for airlines.<br/>