Hong Kong International Airport celebrates milestone Terminal 2 opening : Moodie Davitt Report – Charm

by Martin Moodie at Hong Kong International Airport |
24 May 2026May 24, 2026

**As Hong Kong’s tourism sector continues its welcome renaissance, Terminal 2 will play a critical role in streamlining the Special Administrative Region’s aviation gateway {Photo: Martin Moodie)**

HONG KONG, CHINA. Airport Authority Hong Kong celebrated the imminent opening of Hong Kong International Airport’s reconfigured Terminal 2 with a media tour on Friday afternoon followed by an opening ceremony at that evening attended by 1,500 guests.

The Moodie Davitt was the sole travel retail title present, touring a sleek facility notable for its spectacular architecture, state-of-the-art operational efficiency, advanced technology, digital splendour and diverse retail and food & beverage offer.

Power-packed presence: Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) Chairman Fred Lam; HKSAR Government Acting Financial Secretary Michael Wong; Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR Deputy Director Zhang Yong; Department of General Affairs, the Commissioner Office of China’s Foreign Ministry in the HKSAR Deputy Director-General Zhu Xiufeng; Secretary for Transport and Logistics Mable Chan; Secretary for Labour and Welfare Chris Sun; and AAHK Chief Executive Officer Vivian Cheung officiated at the event {Photo: Airport Authority Hong Kong}

**Entering a dazzling digital wonderland {Photo: Airport Authority Hong Kong}**

Terminal 2 served as a check-in and entertainment facility from 2007 until it was closed in November 2019 as part of a or a massive multi-year expansion as part of the HK$141.5 billion (US$18.1 billion) Three-Runway System.

Fifteen airlines will relocate their check-in services to T2 on a phased basis starting with Hong Kong Airlines on 27 May when the departure facilities of T2 are commissioned.

**Smart technology is the name of the game at Terminal 2 {Photo: Airport Authority Hong Kong}**

Spanning 300,000 square metres, T2 is designed and equipped to serve departing and arriving passengers. On 27 May the departure facilities will be commissioned, with the arrival facilities expected to commence operations next year, in line with traffic demand.

**Easing passenger time and mental pressures is the premise underlying the widespread deployment of new technology {Photo: Airport Authority Hong Kong}**

Fred Lam told guests, “The opening of T2 is another milestone of HKIA’s development.

“Positioned as a terminal for leisure travel, T2’s design prioritises efficiency and passenger comfort. We attend to every detail, leveraging technology extensively to enable efficient self check-in, self bag drop and smooth immigration clearance.

**Click here to read Martin Moodie’s impressions of Terminal 2 in The Moodie Blog**

“We believe T2 would be popular among passengers, in particular young travellers. The airy interiors, the clean and floating lines of its streamline design make T2 a timeless architecture, while the dynamic and 3D contents on the LED panels around T2 create a vibe that generates a sense of excitement as passengers embark on their journeys.”

Terminal 2 Snapshot

Eight check-in aisles with 68 express self-bag drop counters.
58 smart check-in kiosks and 108 hybrid check-in counters.
All self bag-drop counters and hybrid counters feature an ultra-low platform design that enables passengers to put their bags onto the conveyor belt with ease.
The 20 e-Security Gates at the entrances to the restricted area are embedded with facial recognition technology. From 27 May, the minimum age for using facial recognition at e-Security Gates will be lowered from 11 to 7 in both T1 and T2.
Inside the restricted area, all 15 smart security screening channels allow passengers to keep their laptops and bottled liquid under 100ml in their carry-on luggage while undergoing screening.
The Immigration Department has set up 35 e-Channels and 60 counters for departing passengers.
Passengers move by automated people mover to their Terminal 1 boarding gates.

Michael Wong added, “The remarkable achievements of HKIA have been hard-earned, and we will continue to strive in the future.

“The government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to strengthen HKIA’s position as an international aviation hub, including accelerating the expansion of the aviation network, enhancing intermodal connectivity with the Greater Bay Area, and advancing the development of the Airport City.

“In particular, we will proactively align with and work on the National 15th Five-Year Plan and fully support Hong Kong’s role as an international aviation hub.”

**The vibrant T2 signage beckons passengers inside the gleaming terminal {Photo: Airport Authority Hong Kong}**

Large LED displays of varying shapes and sizes are installed at different levels of T2, with 3D contents and ocean-themed videos creating a vibrant and alluring atmosphere.

The departures hall food court serves passengers with eight catering outlets, four of which operate around the clock, while 12 shops offer a variety of products, including travel essentials and souvenirs.

The opening ceremony was held alongside the HKIA Reception 2026, at which AAHK and 40 business partners including airlines, cargo terminals, and ground handling agents, among others, showcased their latest developments and innovations in different experience zones and booths.

After the opening ceremony and reception, on 23 and 24 May the experience zones and booths will be transformed into HKIA Expo & Career Fair 2026, recruiting for more than 4,400 job vacancies at the airport. ✈