The Airport City at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) will be transformed into a new, world-class landmark that integrates commercial activities, popular culture, art trading, entertainment and leisure under an expanded development blueprint spearheaded by the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), with the aim of driving further economic development of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
First unveiled in 2019, the Airport City blueprint combines the airport’s core functions with related business segments to create strong synergy, fully leveraging the airport’s geographical location with a view to seizing the opportunities brought by various new infrastructures. AAHK has since proactively taken forward several projects, including a new hotel and three Grade-A office towers, both already opened for business; as well as 11 Skies, a complex integrating retail, dining and entertainment facilities scheduled to open in phases from the second half of 2025.
The expanded Airport City blueprint is underpinned by land resources on the Hong Kong Port Island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the bay area between the airport island and Tung Chung, more than doubling the scale of development.
New projects include an ecosystem for the art industry, AsiaWorld-Expo Phase 2 development, a marina with ancillary facilities, a fresh food market, and more. These new projects will promote high-end commercial, tourism and leisure activities, and are expected to be completed from 2026 to 2031.
A variety of new facilities
AAHK is formulating plans to create an art ecosystem at HKIA, and is also taking forward the Phase 2 development of AsiaWorld-Expo. The latter will consist of Hong Kong’s largest multi-purpose indoor arena with a seating capacity of over 20,000 people, and more convention and exhibition facilities.
In addition, AAHK will fully utilise the water resources adjacent to the airport island to introduce Hong Kong’s biggest marina and ancillary facilities, providing around 600 berths. This will enable the Airport City to become a new yacht tourism destination in Asia, especially in the Greater Bay Area, featuring a diverse range of water leisure and recreational facilities.
Different kinds of indoor and outdoor leisure, cultural, and entertainment facilities will be developed along the coastlines of the airport island and the Hong Kong Port Island, with hotel development and promenades of distinct characteristics.
Also on the Hong Kong Port Island, AAHK is making plans for a brand-new sportainment complex that will combine novel indoor and outdoor sports concepts for adventure, exploration, sports and entertainment; plus a ‘Jet Fresh Market’ to consolidate the city’s position as the hub of high-end fresh foods from around the world.
“HKIA is a leading international aviation hub in Asia. With the three-runway system fully operating by the end of this year, we are in a position to press full steam ahead with innovative projects in different market segments,” said Fred Lam, chairman of AAHK.
“The expansion of the development blueprint will focus on leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages and creating synergy among various projects to transform the Airport City into a new landmark of Asia. It will be a distinct tourist hotspot for visitors from Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and all over the world, especially premium visitors, injecting impetus into the economic growth of Hong Kong and the region.”
All images: AAHK
