HKIA enters the Cyber Era

(HONG KONG, 08 November 2000) - The Airport Authority (AA) plans a unique cyber-theme retailing and entertainment centre in the Northwest Concourse Departures Level of the passenger terminal at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Announcing the opening of the first five outlets today, AA Chief Executive Officer Billy Lam said this new innovation is a unique feature for HKIA and that it will complement existing retail outlets and make visiting the airport more entertaining and rewarding. "It is in keeping with our plans to make Hong Kong SkyMart a destination in its own right and give travellers from all walks of life a more rewarding experience," he said.

There are five shops offering a wide range of services and products with a unified "Cyber Zone" theme. They are Cyber Trip, Cyber Play, 9 Dragons, 24/7 Cyber Sun and Cyber Break cafe. The Cyber Zone will definitely impress travellers with its innovative approach to shop design and layout. An "open sell concept" is also adopted to allow customers to touch and interact with a wide variety of the innovative products.

Other special features and attractions include free internet access at the Cyber Break cafe with magazines and newspapers available to all travellers, and a children's play area with advanced play-stations. Videos of popular travel destinations are also available for viewing in Cyber Trip the zone's travel accessories shop.

Other merchandise include a wide range of computer accessories and electronics, as well as travel aids and gadgets, watches, sunglasses, exclusive 3D vision polarized lenses and other special eyewear, destination oriented souvenirs, medicines and packaged foods.

The Cyber Zone has a total net area of 1,158 sq m, bringing the total retail gross area in SkyMart to about 31,000 sq m.

Mr Lam said the Cyber Zone would be a drawcard for shoppers, passengers and transit passengers in particular. "The cyber theme is a creative departure from traditional airport retailing," he said. "It redefines SkyMart's role in the changing environment of airport retailing, benefits our retailers as well as further enhances HKIA's appeal as an international hub."

The unique cyber-theme retailing and entertainment centre is operated by Duty Free Shoppers Hong Kong Limited. The licence period is for 48 months.

Opening shortly will be a Multi-Media Lounge offering high-speed broadband Internet access, unrestricted access to the worldwide web, e-mail and real time news and financial news. This will be followed by wireless Internet access whereby passengers can access the Internet via their personal laptops anywhere in the passenger terminal.

Ref. PR-539