Michael Shum
The Airport Authority plans to raise its investment to HK$100 billion to more than double the scale of Airport City and promote high-end commercial, tourist and leisure activities.
The authority also plans to roll out new projects, including a fresh food market, an ecosystem for the art industry, a second phase of AsiaWorld-Expo and a marina for yachts with ancillary facilities.
”These new projects will promote high-end commercial, tourism and leisure activities and are expected to be completed from 2026 to 2031,” said acting AA chief executive Vivian Cheung Kar-fay.
”The expanded Airport City blueprint is underpinned by land resources on the port island of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the bay area between the airport island and Tung Chung, more than doubling the scale of development.”
One highlight is called the “Jet Fresh Market,” which will offer high-end fresh foods from around the world.
”The Hong Kong International Airport leads the world in air cargo, with supplies of fresh and high-end food products from around the globe,” Cheung said.
”To fully leverage our strengths, the Airport Authority is planning to develop ‘Jet Fresh Market’ on Hong Kong Port Island to consolidate Hong Kong’s position as the hub of high-end fresh foods from around the world.”
The authority is also formulating plans to create an art ecosystem, which puts art creation, appreciation and trade under one roof alongside a bespoke large-scale storage facility for artwork, Cheung said.
It will push forward the phase 2 development of AsiaWorld-Expo, which will include Hong Kong’s largest multipurpose indoor arena with a seating capacity of over 20,000, and more convention and exhibition facilities, she added. It will fully utilize water resources adjacent to the airport island to introduce Hong Kong’s biggest marina and ancillary facilities, providing around 600 berths, enabling Airport City to become a yacht tourism destination in Asia, especially in the Greater Bay Area, according to Cheung.
The authority’s chairman, Fred Lam Tin-fuk, said the expansion will focus on leveraging Hong Kong’s unique advantages and creating synergy among various projects to transform Airport City into a new landmark in Asia.
The Transport and Logistics Bureau said the administration supports the expanded blueprint, while all details including land and financial arrangements are still under discussion.
”Airport City is spearheaded and constructed by the Airport Authority – the government does not need to bear any funds,” the bureau said. “The authority is expected to formulate a development framework by the first half of next year.”
michael.shum@singtaonewscorp.com
