Hong Kong International Airport - About Us

On 18 March 1911, an open, single engine Farman Biplane named "Spirit of Sha Tin" took off from a makeshift airstrip in Sha Tin. Flown by Belgian pilot Charles Van den Born, it was the first powered flight in Hong Kong.
(Photo credit: Ir James Ng)

The site of Hong Kong's former civilian airport at Kai Tak was originally planned for an estate project but was terminated due to economic difficulties. The Hong Kong Government bought the Kai Tak site in 1927 and started building an aerodrome.
(Photo credit: Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department)

Kai Tak Airport officially opened its doors in 1930.

Kai Tak Airport welcomed its first commercial flight, operated by Britain’s Imperial Airways, which flew from Penang, Malaysia to Hong Kong on 24 March 1936.
(Photo credit: Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department)

During World War II, a new 1,371-metre north-south runway was built, and the existing 457-metre east-west runway was extended to the same length.
(Photo credit: Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department)

The Hong Kong Government approved the master plan for a major expansion of Kai Tak Airport, including construction of a new runway and a passenger terminal building.
(Photo credit: Dragages Hong Kong Limited)

Construction of the 13/31 Runway - heading northwest/southeast and stretching 2,529 metres - was completed in 1958, and the two old runways were closed. That same year, Kai Tak Airport officially adopted the name Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
(Photo credit: Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department)

In 1975, the runway was further extended to 3,390 metres to meet long haul flight requirements. The 13/31 Runway was considered one of the world's most challenging runways at the time.
(Photo credit: South China Morning Post)

Air traffic at Kai Tak Airport was growing rapidly. Catering for the long-term development of the airport and Hong Kong's economy, the Hong Kong Government announced its plan to construct a new airport at Chek Lap Kok.
(Photo credit: South China Morning Post)

Construction work of the Airport Core Programme began in 1991. Apart from building a new airport at Chek Lap Kok, the programme covered 9 other projects, such as a high-speed airport railway system, a third cross-harbour tunnel between Hong Kong and Kowloon, and the new town of Tung Chung, etc.

In 1996, Kai Tak was the third busiest passenger airport in the world and the first in terms of international cargo throughput - handling 29.5 million passengers and 1.56 million tonnes of freight during the year. It was operating beyond its design capacity.

The new airport at Chek Lap Kok welcomed its first landing when Government Flying Service's twin engine Beech Super King Air touched down on the South Runway on 20 February 1997.

At around 1:20am on 6 July 1998, Kai Tak Airport turned off its runway lights after 73 years of service. HKIA was relocated from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok overnight. At 6:27 am on the same day, the new airport at Chek Lap Kok saw the landing of its first commercial flight.
(Photo credit: Ir James Ng)

At the time of its opening, the new airport at Chek Lap Kok operated from a single runway, but this was increased to two in May 1999. Both runways are 3,800 metres long and 60 metres wide.

SkyPier and related cross-boundary ferry service commenced operation, enhancing HKIA's connectivity with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

DHL launched its Central Asia Hub at HKIA, strengthening the airport's status as the express cargo hub of Asia.

HKIA's North Satellite Concourse commenced operation.

Surpassing Memphis International Airport, HKIA became the world’s busiest cargo airport.

The Airport Authority Hong Kong published the HKIA Master Plan 2030 and conducted a three-month public consultation. 73% of respondents supported the proposal to expand HKIA into a three-runway system.

Cathay Pacific Cargo Terminal commenced operation, increasing HKIA’s annual cargo capacity by 50%. The same year, HKIA was inducted into TTG's Travel Hall of Fame after winning its "Best Airport" Award 10 times.

The Midfield Concourse commenced operation.

The airport's passenger throughput reached the 70-million mark. Construction of HKIA's three-runway system kicked off on 1 August 2016 and the SKYCITY project was unveiled, introducing a 25-hectare retail, dining and entertainment development located next to HKIA.

In 2017, the total cargo and airmail throughput of HKIA exceeded the mark of 5 million tonnes, making it the first airport in the world to have ever handled over 5 million tonnes of cargo and air mail in a year.
The Hong Kong International Aviation Academy opened the door in April. It was established to attract and nurture aviation talent.

In March 2018, HKIA was recognised as a Partner Airport of IATA's CEIV Pharma, in recognition of the airport's competency and preparedness in handling pharmaceuticals at a globally assured standard.
The tenders for the integrated retail, dining and entertainment development in SKYCITY, and a new premium logistics centre in the airport's South Cargo Precinct were awarded in May and June 2018 respectively.
In September 2018, the Airport Authority acquired the rights and equity interest in AsiaWorld-Expo.

Terminal 1 extension commenced operation, adding the new Aisle L with 48 check-in counters. In the same year, HKIA was recognised by the IATA as a Partner Airport of its Centre of Excellence for Perishable Logistics (CEIV Fresh). HKIA is the first airport community in the world to receive the CEIV Fresh Certification.

In 2020, the Airport Authority reveals progress of the Airport City development, a blueprint entailing an investment of over HK$40 billion in the next 10 years to enhance the airport's capacity and functionality.

The Third Runway pavement works were completed in September 2021, a significant milestone in the three-runway system project. In the same year, AAHK unveiled its target and strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions at HKIA by 2050, with a midpoint target of 55% reduction of absolute emissions by 2035 from a 2018 baseline.

Connecting Terminal 1 and T1 Satellite Concourse, Sky Bridge was opened in November 2022 as a new landmark of HKIA. The third runway was officially commissioned in the same month.