Hong Kong International Airport’s second terminal, set to fully open in May, is projected to serve 15 million travellers by the end of this year, with a midterm goal of increasing capacity to 30 million.
The target was revealed by Rock Chen Chung-nin, lawmaker and board member of the Airport Authority, who said on Friday that the 15 airlines scheduled to operate from the terminal would primarily be budget and newer carriers flying short-haul routes.
The carriers would include Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express and Greater Bay Airlines, along with several others that mainly fly routes to Southeast Asia, Chen said.
“The counters of these airlines in Terminal 1 will be vacated, potentially making room for more long-haul flights or business travellers,” he said.
Chen added that the revamped terminal would feature a higher level of technology and more self-service kiosks compared with the first terminal.
“Terminal 2 caters to younger travellers who are more technologically advanced,” he told a radio programme. “If we operate more long-haul flights or cater to business travellers, they will be operating in Terminal 1.”
With fewer counters, passengers at the revamped Terminal 2 would be able to check in and drop off their luggage themselves, making the process more flexible, Chen said.
