One of the world’s best airports reveals £13.9billion renovation – with new runway launching next month

A NEW three-runway system will be going into service this November at an airport recently crowned best in Asia.

Hong Kong International Airport is known for its innovative technologies and systems and was recently crowned leading airport in Asia in the 2024 World Travel Awards.

It’s the second year in a row the airport has taken home the prestigious title.

Cathay Pacific offers the only direct flights between London and Hong Kong – and the airport revealed in July it had experienced a post-pandemic peak in passenger traffic.

Recently, the airport announced it would be introducing a new security screening system allowing travellers to keep electronic devices and liquids in their hand-carry luggage when going through security checks.

Now, the government has said the airport’s three-runway system will be going into service next month – a project that will increase the airport’s capacity for passengers and cargo. 

There will be a northern runway for landings, central runway for takeoffs, and a southern runway for both.

The system will come into effect after the Airport Authority acquires the needed licences and completes the final round of tests.

Transport and Logistics Bureau officials have also said they would expand Hong Kong’s aviation network to fill new capacity arising from the system, revealing that eight airlines would launch 11 new routes under a subsidy scheme managed by the Airport Authority.

Authority executive director Steven Yiu Siu-chung told lawmakers the final crucial task was to designate the third-runway system as a restricted zone and obtain the licence from the Civil Aviation Department.

“Obtaining the licence is like taking an exam with 900 aspects to pass, including meeting the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

“We need to provide blueprints, test records and conduct on-site coordination with the Civil Aviation Department and then obtain the licences hopefully in mid-November.

“We then need to test the Civil Aviation Department’s landing system using an aircraft, stimulating taxiing on the taxiway or runway.”

The airport’s expansion project cost HK$141.5 billion (£13.9 billion) and includes a new 3.8km (2.3 mile) third runway, a second terminal building opposite the existing one and new concourse.

The main primary construction of the terminal building was finished with all glass curtain walls in place, ensuring weather protection, and evaluation of power generation procedures are under way.

The 650-hectare (1,606-acre) project is expected to increase the airport’s capacity by 50 percent to accommodate 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually.

The airport has many unique features, including The Journey of Discovery, a multimedia experience that includes three installations – Crystal Elevator, Waterfall Gardens, and Totems of Joy.

The Crystal Elevator welcomes travellers with digital images and videos about Hong Kong.

The Waterfall Gardens features waterfall, ponds, creeks, and lush plant life, and visitors can interact with the digital elements, including the waterfall, pebbles, water lilies, turtles, and frogs.

And Totems of Joy are photo-friendly stations that feature a series of video clips that change over time. 

The video clips include a toy crane machine with cartoon characters, aerial views of the world, and fireflies illuminating plants.

Alongside plenty of dining and shopping opportunities, the airport has an open-air terrace called Sky Garden, with plant boxes and metallic silhouette art pieces like goldfish, birds, butterflies and leaves, where passengers can go to relax before their flight.

The airport’s also home to the world’s first airport IMAX theatre, in case you want to squeeze in watching the latest blockbuster prior to boarding your plane.

Or for golf enthusiasts, there’s even a golf course called SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course.

The world’s best airport has direct flights from the UK too – as its found in Europe.

And we’ve rounded up five new mega airports set to open in Europe.