Hong Kong International Airport is set for an A$900 million upgrade to handle a dramatic growth in both passengers and aircraft at what is already one of the world’s busiest and most highly-regarded airports.
Slated to begin later this year and due for completion by the end of 2015, the program’s centrepiece is a new ‘midfield’ passenger concourse located between the airport’s two runways – the last piece of land on the reclaimed island available for large-scale development.
The five-story structure will sport 20 aircraft parking stands. Three of these will be wide enough to serve the Airbus A380, and represent a 50% increase to the airport’s capacity for handling the superjumbo.
Passengers will reach the concourse through an extension of the current underground ‘automated people mover’ – a driverless train system which serves Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and the SkyPier ferry terminal which provides a ferry service to mainland China. The new facility is expected to boost airport capacity by 10 million passengers per year above the current 50.9 million passengers recorded in 2010.
Consideration is also being given to a third runway, according to HKIA operator Airport Authority Hong Kong, with public comment on the potential economic and environmental impact being sought by mid-year.
In the mandatory push for eco-cred the concourse’s green initiatives will include a glazed floor-to-ceiling facade which will reflect over 40% of solar heat to reduce the use of air conditioning, which in turn fire through water-cooled chillers contained recycled water. North-facing skylights will maximise natural lighting in the centre of the building, while low-energy lighting with daylight sensors will reduce overall energy consumption.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
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