One of the world’s best airports reveals £13.9billion renovation – with new runway launching next month --[Reported by Umva mag]

A NEW three-runway system will be going into service this November at an airport recently crowned best in Asia. Hong Kong International Airport is known for its innovative technologies and systems and was recently crowned leading airport in Asia in the 2024 World Travel Awards. AlamyHong Kong International Airport will launch its new three-runway system next month[/caption] AlamyThe airport was recently crowned the best in Asia in the 2024 World Travel Awards[/caption] Courtesy of Kai Tak Sky GardenAmong the airport’s facilities are a rooftop garden called Sky Garden, where passengers can relax before their flight[/caption] It’s the second year in a row the airport has taken home the prestigious title. Cathay Pacific offers the only direct flights between London and Hong Kong – and the airport revealed in July it had experienced a post-pandemic peak in passenger traffic. Recently, the airport announced it would be introducing a new security screening system allowing travellers to keep electronic devices and liquids in their hand-carry luggage when going through security checks. Now, the government has said the airport’s three-runway system will be going into service next month – a project that will increase the airport’s capacity for passengers and cargo. There will be a northern runway for landings, central runway for takeoffs, and a southern runway for both. The system will come into effect after the Airport Authority acquires the needed licences and completes the final round of tests. Transport and Logistics Bureau officials have also said they would expand Hong Kong’s aviation network to fill new capacity arising from the system, revealing that eight airlines would launch 11 new routes under a subsidy scheme managed by the Airport Authority. Authority executive director Steven Yiu Siu-chung told lawmakers the final crucial task was to designate the third-runway system as a restricted zone and obtain the licence from the Civil Aviation Department. “Obtaining the licence is like taking an exam with 900 aspects to pass, including meeting the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. “We need to provide blueprints, test records and conduct on-site coordination with the Civil Aviation Department and then obtain the licences hopefully in mid-November. “We then need to test the Civil Aviation Department’s landing system using an aircraft, stimulating taxiing on the taxiway or runway.” The airport’s expansion project cost HK$141.5 billion (£13.9 billion) and includes a new 3.8km (2.3 mile) third runway, a second terminal building opposite the existing one and new concourse. The main primary construction of the terminal building was finished with all glass curtain walls in place, ensuring weather protection, and evaluation of power generation procedures are under way. The 650-hectare (1,606-acre) project is expected to increase the airport’s capacity by 50 percent to accommodate 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually. The airport has many unique features, including The Journey of Discovery, a multimedia experience that includes three installations – Crystal Elevator, Waterfall Gardens, and Totems of Joy. The Crystal Elevator welcomes travellers with digital images and videos about Hong Kong. Hong Kong AirportThe Journey of Discovery at the airport is a multimedia experience that includes three installations – one of which is Waterfall Gardens[/caption] AlamyThere’s also a wide choice of restaurants, bars and shopping at the airport[/caption] The Waterfall Gardens features waterfall, ponds, creeks, and lush plant life, and visitors can interact with the digital elements, including the waterfall, pebbles, water lilies, turtles, and frogs. And Totems of Joy are photo-friendly stations that feature a series of video clips that change over time. The video clips include a toy crane machine with cartoon characters, aerial views of the world, and fireflies illuminating plants. Alongside plenty of dining and shopping opportunities, the airport has an open-air terrace called Sky Garden, with plant boxes and metallic silhouette art pieces like goldfish, birds, butterflies and leaves, where passengers can go to relax before their flight. The airport’s also home to the world’s first airport IMAX theatre, in case you want to squeeze in watching the latest blockbuster prior to boarding your plane. Or for golf enthusiasts, there’s even a golf course called SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course. World's Leading Airports 2024 - World Travel Awards Asia – Hong Kong International Airport, China Caribbean – Sangster International Airport, Jamaica Central America – General Juan N. Álvarez International Airport, Acapulco, Mexico Europe – Zurich Airpor

Oct 11, 2024 - 15:25

One of the world’s best airports reveals £13.9billion renovation – with new runway launching next month --[Reported by Umva mag]

A NEW three-runway system will be going into service this November at an airport recently crowned best in Asia.

Hong Kong International Airport is known for its innovative technologies and systems and was recently crowned leading airport in Asia in the 2024 World Travel Awards.

an aerial view of an airport with planes on the runways

Hong Kong International Airport will launch its new three-runway system next month[/caption]

people are sitting in a waiting area at an airport

The airport was recently crowned the best in Asia in the 2024 World Travel Awards[/caption]

a walkway with green and white plants along the side

Among the airport’s facilities are a rooftop garden called Sky Garden, where passengers can relax before their flight[/caption]

It’s the second year in a row the airport has taken home the prestigious title.

Cathay Pacific offers the only direct flights between London and Hong Kong – and the airport revealed in July it had experienced a post-pandemic peak in passenger traffic.

Recently, the airport announced it would be introducing a new security screening system allowing travellers to keep electronic devices and liquids in their hand-carry luggage when going through security checks.

Now, the government has said the airport’s three-runway system will be going into service next month – a project that will increase the airport’s capacity for passengers and cargo.

There will be a northern runway for landings, central runway for takeoffs, and a southern runway for both.

The system will come into effect after the Airport Authority acquires the needed licences and completes the final round of tests.

Transport and Logistics Bureau officials have also said they would expand Hong Kong’s aviation network to fill new capacity arising from the system, revealing that eight airlines would launch 11 new routes under a subsidy scheme managed by the Airport Authority.

Authority executive director Steven Yiu Siu-chung told lawmakers the final crucial task was to designate the third-runway system as a restricted zone and obtain the licence from the Civil Aviation Department.

“Obtaining the licence is like taking an exam with 900 aspects to pass, including meeting the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

“We need to provide blueprints, test records and conduct on-site coordination with the Civil Aviation Department and then obtain the licences hopefully in mid-November.

“We then need to test the Civil Aviation Department’s landing system using an aircraft, stimulating taxiing on the taxiway or runway.”

The airport’s expansion project cost HK$141.5 billion (£13.9 billion) and includes a new 3.8km (2.3 mile) third runway, a second terminal building opposite the existing one and new concourse.

The main primary construction of the terminal building was finished with all glass curtain walls in place, ensuring weather protection, and evaluation of power generation procedures are under way.

The 650-hectare (1,606-acre) project is expected to increase the airport’s capacity by 50 percent to accommodate 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually.

The airport has many unique features, including The Journey of Discovery, a multimedia experience that includes three installations – Crystal Elevator, Waterfall Gardens, and Totems of Joy.

The Crystal Elevator welcomes travellers with digital images and videos about Hong Kong.

a group of people are sitting in front of a waterfall in a building .

The Journey of Discovery at the airport is a multimedia experience that includes three installations – one of which is Waterfall Gardens[/caption]

a busy shopping mall with a restaurant called putten

There’s also a wide choice of restaurants, bars and shopping at the airport[/caption]

The Waterfall Gardens features waterfall, ponds, creeks, and lush plant life, and visitors can interact with the digital elements, including the waterfall, pebbles, water lilies, turtles, and frogs.

And Totems of Joy are photo-friendly stations that feature a series of video clips that change over time.

The video clips include a toy crane machine with cartoon characters, aerial views of the world, and fireflies illuminating plants.

Alongside plenty of dining and shopping opportunities, the airport has an open-air terrace called Sky Garden, with plant boxes and metallic silhouette art pieces like goldfish, birds, butterflies and leaves, where passengers can go to relax before their flight.

The airport’s also home to the world’s first airport IMAX theatre, in case you want to squeeze in watching the latest blockbuster prior to boarding your plane.

Or for golf enthusiasts, there’s even a golf course called SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course.

World's Leading Airports 2024 - World Travel Awards

Asia – Hong Kong International Airport, China

Caribbean – Sangster International Airport, Jamaica

Central America – General Juan N. Álvarez International Airport, Acapulco, Mexico

Europe – Zurich Airport, Switzerland

Indian Ocean – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, Mauritius

Middle East – Dubai International Airport

North America – Orlando International Airport, USA

Oceania – Sydney Airport, Australia

South America – Aeropuerto Internacional El Dorado, Bogotá, Colombia

The world’s best airport has direct flights from the UK too – as its found in Europe.

And we’ve rounded up five new mega airports set to open in Europe.

a plane flying over a body of water with mountains in the background

The airport’s new runway system will be followed by eight airlines launching 11 new routes[/caption]

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