Hong Kong's Airport Authority Publishes Annual Report 2021/2022

(07 July 2022, 11:13 +07)  On Wednesday, Hong Kong's Airport Authority (AAHK) published its annual report 2021/22, for the fiscal year ended 31 March 2022.

Passenger traffic and flight movements at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) remained significantly below pre-pandemic levels at 1.4 million and 144,505 respectively, representing year-on-year increases of 70.4% and 13.1%.

Cargo throughput rebounded to pre-pandemic level, increasing by 7.1% to 4.9 million tonnes. HKIA was again the world’s busiest cargo airport in 2021.

Despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic, AAHK continued to progress various development projects under the Airport City blueprint:

Premier Seaview Suite at the Regala Skycity Hotel

- The Three-Runway System project reached another major milestone as the Third Runway was on schedule for commissioning in 2022.

- SKYCITY, the centrepiece of Airport City, continued to make progress.

- The Regala Skycity Hotel opened in December 2021.

- Adjacent to the new hotel is 11 SKIES, Hong Kong’s largest retail, dining and entertainment complex.

- The three grade A office towers of 11 SKIES opened in July 2022.

- AAHK has also continued to plan AsiaWorld-Expo’s (AWE) phase 2 development, which will feature Hong Kong’s largest indoor multipurpose entertainment arena and new facilities for conventions and exhibitions. During the year, AAHK became AWE’s sole shareholder after the Hong Kong Government transferred all of its interest in AWE to AAHK.

In parallel, AAHK is actively preparing for passenger traffic recovery through continuous enhancement in airport facilities and services, including renovation of boarding gates and the East Hall luxury shopping zone, adding new retail and F&B options, among others.

Technology plays a key role in the brand-new airport experience. Flight Token has been launched this year to enable departing passengers to use their face as identification – from check-in, bag drop to security checks and aircraft boarding – without having to present their travel document and boarding pass at every checkpoint. 5G mobile service has also been extended to the entire Terminal 1, and this will be expanded to cover the airfield and other outdoor areas in the coming year.

On cargo development, construction of a premium logistics centre and the expansion of DHL’s Central Asia Hub have been making good progress. Together with the Logistics Park in Dongguan developed by AAHK, these facilities will consolidate Hong Kong’s role as the international cargo gateway of the Greater Bay Area.

AAHK and its major business partners have also pledged to achieve net zero carbon at the airport by 2050, with a midpoint target of a 55% reduction of absolute emissions by 2035, from a 2018 baseline.

To achieve that target, AAHK is taking forward different measures to reduce direct emissions, including electrification of airside vehicles and ground services equipment, as well as energy-efficient installations and innovative energy management systems.

"The past year presented many challenges for HKIA, but we have achieved satisfactory progress in all areas that will secure the airport’s long-term success," said Jack So Chak-kwong, Chairman. "I would like to thank our Board Members for their support and would also like to recognise every member of the HKIA community for their commitment and hard work in the face of adversity. Hong Kong has a proven track record of overcoming challenges. I am confident we will soon get over the pandemic and once again welcome millions of passengers to the airport."

You can download the full, 168-page, 5.98 MB report in .pdf format here.

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