Hong Kong airport’s three-runway system ready by year-end, amid talk of ‘new aviation hinterland’

Hong Kong international airport’s (HKIA) Three-Runway System is expected to be commissioned by the end of the year, allowing the airport to tap into what it calls “a new aviation hinterland”. Announcing his government’s annual budget, Hong Kong financial secretary Paul Chan says countries that are part of Chinese supreme leader Xi Jinping’s ‘Belt-and-Road’ global infrastructure investment initiative will be a key focus in the near-term, with HKIA looking into “strengthening aviation services between Hong Kong and related countries”. HKIA’s Three-Runway System expansion project comprises the construction of a third runway, as well as a second passenger terminal. Chan, speaking on 28 February, underscores Hong Kong’s importance as an aviation hub, especially for the Greater Bay Area (short for Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area). “[Our] vision is to transform HKIA into an Airport City integrating commerce, conventions and exhibitions, tourism, lifestyle, logistics and more, shaping it into a world-class landmark,” says Chan. HKIA will look into opportunities in the Greater Bay Area for cargo and logistics. For instance, Hong Kong is working to develop a sea-air intermodel cargo shipment mode with the Chinese city of Dongguan, where the HKIA Logistics Park is sited. <br/>