HONG KONG, 16 August 2026 — Hong Kong’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po has outlined a comprehensive development roadmap to reinforce and elevate the city’s status as a premier international aviation hub. In a blog post published today, Chan highlighted a three-pronged strategy of infrastructure expansion, smart technology adoption and the full development of SKYTOPIA, Hong Kong’s ambitious Airport City project.
Chan emphasised that Hong Kong’s aviation network serves as the fundamental backbone of the city’s role as Asia’s iconic “super connector” and “super value-added contributor”, linking mainland China with global markets and empowering cross-border trade, logistics, tourism, exhibition and cultural exchange sectors.
Backed by robust operational figures, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) currently hosts around 140 airlines connecting over 225 global destinations. In the first half of 2026, aircraft movements exceeded 200,000 trips, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.4%, while passenger throughput reached 32.8 million, up 11.7% annually. Visitor arrivals in the first seven months of 2026 totalled 31.22 million, a 12% year-on-year rise, demonstrating sustained momentum in Hong Kong’s tourism and aviation recovery.
To expand physical capacity, the ongoing Three-Runway System continues to unlock long-term operational potential. The expanded departure facilities at Terminal 2, officially commissioned in May 2026, have attracted 15 airline operators and are expected to handle approximately 8 million passengers in its inaugural year, effectively easing terminal congestion and improving travel efficiency.
Digital transformation remains a core priority for HKIA’s modernisation. Leveraging artificial intelligence, Internet of Things and biometric recognition technologies, the airport has widely implemented smart processing solutions. The facial recognition-based “Smart Boarding” service now covers nearly 80% of departing passengers, streamlining check-in, baggage drop, security clearance and boarding procedures to deliver a seamless and efficient travel experience.
At the centre of Hong Kong’s long-term aviation transformation is the SKYTOPIA Airport City vision, which redefines HKIA from a traditional transit hub into an integrated complex of aviation services, premium commerce, art storage and trading, world-class exhibitions and waterfront leisure facilities.
Major SKYTOPIA flagship projects are progressing on schedule:
• A dedicated Art and Valuables Storage Facility is set to commence operation in early 2027, establishing a complete industrial ecosystem for high-value art warehousing, exhibition and transactions.
• Construction of AsiaWorld-Expo Phase 2 is underway, with completion targeted for 2028, offering expanded venues for large-scale conventions, exhibitions and international performances.
• The upcoming Airport Yacht Bay will provide more than 500 berths, accommodating superyachts of up to 100 metres, alongside premium waterfront resort and recreational amenities, to be delivered in phases starting from 2028.
In terms of regional integration, Hong Kong will further deepen Greater Bay Area aviation collaboration. The government will strengthen strategic cooperation with Zhuhai Airport to jointly capture international transfer traffic, while advancing multimodal transport connectivity with Dongguan. The enhanced land, sea and air logistics network will extend HKIA’s cargo hinterland and consolidate Hong Kong’s competitive edge in global air freight.
Chan stressed that Hong Kong’s aviation upgrade goes far beyond increasing passenger and cargo capacity. Through infrastructure expansion, intelligent transformation and the SKYTOPIA urban regeneration project, Hong Kong will create a new high-value economic cluster. The city will continue to consolidate its irreplaceable position as an international aviation hub, reinforce its global connectivity advantages, and deliver stronger support for the long-term prosperity of the Greater Bay Area and Hong Kong’s sustainable development.