In an exclusive interview with Travel And Tour World (TTW), Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) reveals its ambitious plans to drive growth, innovation, and sustainability in the aviation industry. As the airport hosts the prestigious Routes World 2025, it highlights its strategic role in expanding air connectivity, attracting global airlines, and positioning Hong Kong as a key hub for regional and long-haul travel. HKIA also shares insights into its groundbreaking projects like the Three-Runway System, the innovative SKYTOPIA development, and its commitment to sustainable practices, all aimed at enhancing passenger experience and supporting Hong Kong’s tourism recovery.

How is Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) leveraging Routes World 2025 to drive growth and innovation in the aviation industry?

Hong Kong has long been an ideal place to host international events like Routes World with our unparalleled advantages.

• Routes World was held in Hong Kong for the first time.
• Routes World is a major aviation event in the world that serves as a pivotal platform for global air network planners to explore new opportunities for closer collaborations in establishing flight routes.
• The year’s event, its 30th edition, welcomes around 2,500 delegates from about 100 countries around the world. Participants include decision makers from over 200 airlines and more than 340 airports around the world. The event presents a valuable opportunity for professionals in the global aviation industry to gain insights into the latest developments in Hong Kong and the airport itself, positioning the airport as a central hub for future growth and connectivity.
• The various initiatives featured in the event this year highlighted the importance of growth and innovation in aviation industry. Developing further in these two directions, HKIA worked with aviation partners to capture the opportunities Hong Kong presents to them, in three areas in particular: how they may leverage Hong Kong’s infrastructure, ride on our connectivity in the region, and benefit from our innovative service, so that they may extend their network, grow their business, serve more passengers, and unlock the business potential in this very promising market.
• Through HKIA’s own booth, and the presentation, discussion and networking sessions organised during the event, we engaged attendees and introduced HKIA’s latest developments, including the innovative Airport City project, called SKYTOPIA. It will take the growth of our airport to the next level by providing a diverse range of offerings, including popular concerts, retail and dining, art appreciation and trading. In the future, there will be many more reasons why your passengers will come to Hong Kong or transit here.
• Besides, we also introduced how HKIA leverage technology to offer creative solutions improve efficiency and drive down costs. These include the world’s first and the largest fleet of autonomous vehicles operating on the apron.

As international travel rebounds, how is HKIA contributing to the revival of tourism in Hong Kong?

HKIA currently connects to over 200 destinations worldwide through approximately 140 airlines, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, reinforcing its position as a leading international aviation hub.

• The passenger traffic has grown steadily this year; it is expected that HKIA will handle around 63 to 68 million passengers in 2025, while it is estimated that the passenger flow at HKIA will recover to over 70 million by the end of 2026, supporting the recovery of Hong Kong’s tourism.
• With the commissioning of the Three-runway System at the end of 2024, our passenger traffic continued to grow, and more travelers were brought to Hong Kong via HKIA.

Latest Growth in Flight Movements and Passenger Volume

• In August 2025, HKIA handled 5.68 million passengers and 34,840 flight movements, representing year-on-year growth of 15.8% and 10.2%, respectively, with passenger traffic reporting a new daily high since the pandemic. The surge in traffic was largely due to a rebound in travel to/from Japan and a continued rise in traffic to/from the Chinese Mainland and other destinations.
• On 10 August 2025, during the summer holidays, passenger traffic surpassed 200,000 and hitting another new record since the pandemic.
• Over the first eight months of 2025, passenger volume saw 15.4% growth year on year to 40.3 million, while flight movements increased by 9.9% to 260,830.
• Looking ahead, the Asia Pacific is a growth driver for the airline industry, with a significant increase in business and first-class travel. A growing middle class in markets like the Chinese Mainland, India, and Indonesia fuels this demand for more premium air travel options. We will tap into these markets and support the tourism industry to bring more visitors to Hong Kong.

Short Haul Markets

• The short-haul flight network performs strongly and continues to develop. Our major Southeast Asia traffic has seen exceptional growth since last year, especially for countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Japan. Newly added routes or increased frequencies to existing routes include Komatsu, Ishigaki, and Sendai in Japan; Da Nang and Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam; Yuncheng, Yichang, and Ningbo in the Chinese Mainland.

Layover Tours

• In September, HKIA launched a new free local tour service designed exclusively for transfer passengers to explore Hong Kong’s distinctive culture and iconic attractions, all within a single layover. Tour participants can enjoy exclusive fast-track immigration clearance upon their arrival and departure at HKIA, ensuring smooth access in and out of the restricted areas and timely boarding.

Are there any new or upcoming routes aimed at tapping into emerging leisure markets or responding to shifting traveler preferences?

With the expansion of the Three-Runway System, how will HKIA strengthen its role as a gateway to Asia-Pacific tourism and boost regional travel flows

HKIA proactively expands our air network for passengers and cargo to increase connectivity and efficiency.

Infrastructural Enhancement

• Regional/Value Airlines: With the 3RS, there will be more slots for different kinds of airlines to connect with HKIA.
  Air Network Development Programme
  To strengthen HKIA’s connectivity, we introduced the Air Network Development Programme in 2024, offering incentives for airlines to launch new routes and increase flight frequencies. The programme has been well received by industry. So far, around 30 airlines have taken part, adding 75 new destinations to HKIA’s global network.

Long-haul

• Our long-haul flight market recovered by about 80% but is limited by issues such as the Russian airspace restrictions. We believe it will fully recover in the near future and continue to grow as Hong Kong remains to be regarded by overseas long-haul carriers as a major aviation hub in Asia, and foreign airlines are interested in the intermodal connectivity in the Greater Bay Area.
• Highlight: The Middle East
  Newly added destinations or increased frequencies to existing routes include Abu Dhabi and Riyadh in the Middle East
• Etihad Airways will resume direct flights to Abu Dhabi in November of this year, bringing the total number of the Middle East’s three largest airlines (Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad Airways) operating direct flights from Hong Kong Airport.
• In addition to the Middle East, HKIA will also actively explore routes to off-the-beaten-track or exotic destinations, such as those in South America
• Other new destinations or increased frequencies involves Sydney in Australia; Vancouver in North America; and Brussels, Rome, and Munich in Europe, among others
• Delta Airlines will return to Hong Kong, operating direct flights between Hong Kong and Los Angeles by mid-next year.

Short-haul

• The short-haul flight network performs strongly and continues to develop. Our major Southeast Asia traffic has seen exceptional growth since last year, especially for countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Vietnam and Japan.
• Newly added destinations or increased frequencies to existing routes include Komatsu, Ishigaki, and Sendai in Japan; Da Nang and Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam; Yuncheng, Yichang, and Ningbo in the Chinese Mainland.
• In August last year, Chairman of Airport Authority, accompanying the Chief Executive’s delegation, signed four Memoranda of Understanding with airport operators and national airlines in the ASEAN countries of Vietnam and Cambodia.
• Additionally, we are actively expanding our aviation network with Belt and Road countries. Recently, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with airports in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan to enhance the air connectivity with the region and further expand the air network of HKIA.

What recent improvements have been made to enhance the overall passenger experience at HKIA, particularly for international tourists?

Terminal 2

• The new Terminal 2 (T2) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) commenced operations in phases starting from September 2025. The first phase kicked in on 23 September with the operation of the indoor Coach Hall, where there are 41 parking spaces for tour buses, cross-boundary coaches and limousines, and resident coaches.

Cafés in HKIA

• With the recent openings of new food and beverage outlets in the new T2 Coach Hall, there are now 40 cafes in HKIA to capture the popular trend among passengers and enhance their travel experience.

SKYTOPIA, a new landmark at HKIA

• Under the Airport City blueprint, HKIA is no longer merely a place where passengers get on or off a plane, but a new landmark with a broad range of facilities for entertainment, leisure, art appreciation and trading, yachting and water sports, retail and dining, and more. In 2025 we introduced a new brand, SKYTOPIA, for the development.
  SKYTOPIA encompasses a series of projects that leverage Hong Kong’s unique strengths and the land and marine resources surrounding HKIA. Highlights include:
• Airport Bay Marina, Hong Kong’s largest yacht facility with over 500 berths.
• Jet Fresh Market, featuring gourmet products flown in from around the world.
• AsiaWorld-Expo Phase 2, introducing Hong Kong’s largest indoor performance venue with a 20,000-seat capacity.
• An art ecosystem, integrating art creation, appreciation, and trading.
• A dedicated art storage facility, the first of its kind in the city.
• Green and smart transport systems, including automated car parks and autonomous vehicles.

We aim to transform the airport into a destination in its own right and attract more passengers to transfer at HKIA. With these innovative developments, SKYTOPIA is set to become a world-class destination, drawing visitors from Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, or GBA, and across Asia and beyond. As a result, HKIA will serve as a powerful engine driving the city’s economic growth.

How is HKIA aligning with global trends in sustainable travel, and what initiatives are in place to promote eco-friendly tourism through airport operations?

HKIA is committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon by 2050 with its key aviation-related business partners, with a midpoint target of 55% absolute emissions reduction by 2035 from a 2018 baseline.

• HKIA is planning to install 2,000 sq. m. of solar Photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof of the expanded Terminal 2, reducing Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing the overall sustainability performance of a project that has achieved a BEAM (Building Environmental Assessment Method) Plus Provisional Platinum rating under BEAM Plus New Buildings v1.2.

Airside Fleet Electrification & GSE Pooling

• In 2013, the Airside Vehicles Electrification Programme (2013) was launched
• In 2018, the Ground Services Equipment (GSE) Pooling Scheme was launched to allow ramp handling operators to rent from HKIA’s GSE, most of which are electric powered
• Plan to expand the number of electric GSE (e-GSE) units in the GSE Pooling Scheme from the existing 500 units to about 1,000 units, with at least 95% being e-GSE – making us the first international airport in the world to adopt GSE Pooling on such a large scale

Renewable Diesel

• Launched a Renewable Diesel pilot project in 2024
• HKIA is the first airport in Asia to use RD in GSE

Can you share how HKIA is using technology—like biometrics, AI, or digital wayfinding—to create a smoother, more personalized journey for travelers?

Smart Airport

• We are committed to developing Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) as a “Smart Airport” with the latest technologies and innovation, with an aim to enhance passenger experience and airport operational performance.
• HKIA is the only airport in the world where passengers are able to complete all departure procedures using their smartphones and facial recognition technology, including online check-in, travel document verification, bag drop, entering the security area, and boarding through “Flight Token”, the self-service at HKIA. Eligible and registered passengers can scan their faces in front of cameras at each checkpoint to verify their identity and complete the departure procedures. This eliminates the need to repeatedly present travel documents and boarding passes, making the entire departure and boarding process more convenient and efficient, and further enhancing security at HKIA.
• We introduced a new Smart Security Screening System at HKIA, which is the world’s first to operate smart security screening channels in the entire airport. Departing passengers using the new smart security screening channels can keep their electronic devices, including laptop computers and mobile phones, as well as liquids, aerosols, and gels in their carry-on luggage, without having to take them out for screening as required by existing protocol. For passengers who fail to clear the archway metal detector, further screening will be conducted in a new full-body scanner, replacing the existing manual search that uses a hand-held detector. The advanced imaging technology deployed in the full-body scanner can accurately locate any concealed items while reducing physical contact between passengers and security staff.
• The upgrades and enhancements at HKIA not only further enhance the airport’s efficiency but also make mandatory airport procedures more pleasant to passengers from all over the world.

World’s only autonomous vehicle fleet in live airport operations

• the first airport in the world to use fully autonomous vehicles on a major scale in a live operating environment since 2019
• HKIA introduced more than 70 autonomous vehicles, including more than 56 autonomous electric tractors, 8 patrol cars and 6 shuttle buses. They have run 2.3 million kilometers, equivalent to circumventing the earth 58 times.
• As for passenger-related service, starting from end-2025, our autonomous transport system will connect our commercial area and Terminal 2 with the HK Port of the HK-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, making it convenient for GBA visitors to reach our airport’s various facilities.

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