Hong Kong International Airport's (HKIA) new passenger terminal,
known as Terminal 2 or T2, will begin phased opening next month,
Hong Kong Airport Authority said Friday.
Located next to the existing Terminal 1, T2 brings a range of
new facilities and services to the airport's rapidly expanding
customer base. T2 is the centerpiece of HKIA's larger development
called SkyCity which will enable Hong Kong to provide local and
overseas passengers with a dynamic and memorable airport
experience.
In February, 130 retail and catering outlets in SkyPlaza and
four entertainment zones will start opening in the
140,000-square-metre terminal. A 36-bay coach station will debut
next, while 56 airline check-in counters and customs and
immigration facilities will open afterwards.
Commercial Director Hans Bakker said T2 highlights Airport
Authority Hong Kong's commitment to creating a unique, pleasant
experience at HKIA.
"T2 is an integral part of SkyCity, a development that is
transforming HKIA from a city's airport into an airport city. Being
the centerpiece of the SkyCity, the new terminal is also an
integrated multimodal hub, where air, sea, land and rail transport
converge seamlessly," he said.
"We have invested 2.8 billion HK dollars (359 million U.S.
dollars) in Terminal 2, an automated people mover connecting T1 and
T2, and two office buildings, including HKIA Tower, which will be
the new headquarters for the Airport Authority. This investment
will allow us to better meet passenger demand and strengthen HKIA's
role as a regional and international transportation hub," he
added.
In addition to Terminal 2, other projects under the SkyCity
development include the SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course; SkyPier, a
permanent cross-boundary ferry terminal; and a second airport
hotel, the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel. The golf course is
scheduled to open in the first half of this year whereas the other
two projects are slated to open in 2008.
(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2007)