Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is located on the island of Chek Lap Kok, a 4.85 sq/mi mass of reclaimed land that was built up for the purpose of building the airport. HKG is often referred to as Chek Lap Kok Airport in an effort to distinguish it from its now-defunct predecessor, Kai Tak Airport. HKG has been operating commercially since 1998 – after replacing Kai Tak – and is an important shipping hub and gateway to destinations in mainland China.
The airport is a major contributor to Hong Kong’s economy, with over 65,000 employees, and more than 100 airlines operating flights to numerous cities globally.
Hong Kong International is one of the world’s busiest passenger airports. HKG also stands as the busiest cargo gateway in the world, recently surpassing Memphis International Airport to claim the title.
Did You Know? Interesting Facts About Hong Kong International Airport:
- HKG is home to one of the world’s largest passenger terminal buildings. It was the largest in the world when it opened in 1998.
- The current Hong Kong International Airport, Chek Lap Kok, was designed to replace the original international airport of Hong Kong, Kai Tak Airport, built in 1925. This was due to Kai Tak’s limited room for expansion in the face of growing air traffic.
- One of the primary advantages of building up Chek Lap Kok island as the site of the new airport was that traffic could be routed over the South China Sea to allow 24-hour operation of multiple runways.
- Conversely, the urban location of the previous airport required restriction of nighttime flights, as over 340,000 people in the surrounding area were adversely affected by engine noise.
- The reclaiming of 3.62 sq/mi of seabed to increase the size of Chek Lap Kok island added almost 1% to Hong Kong’s total land area.
- Within days of first opening the airport, a number of computer glitches and database problems turned HKG’s cargo management situation upside down. The airport was unable to handle the massive amounts of cargo traffic without computer assistance, and the resulting chaos was so dire that Hong Kong politician Lau Kang-way called the airport “a national disgrace.”
- HKG has 66 boarding gates, 66 jet-bridge gates, and 7 virtual gates (gathering points for passengers who are then bused to their airplanes on the apron.)
- In 2013, the Regal Airport Hotel at HKG was named the best airport hotel in world by Skytrax.
- While proposals have been made to build a third runway, it’s estimated that the cost of reclaiming more land to do so would amount to more than what was spent building the entire airport to date.
Hong Kong International Airport
A view from Sha Lo Wan towards Hong Kong International Airport (Chek Lap Kok).
View Hong Kong International Airport.
Hong Kong Observatory – Downtown Tsim Sha Tsui Weather Cam
A view of Tsim Sha Tsui, in the Kowloon region. This cam shows the skyline as seen looking toward the east.
View Hong Kong Observatory.
Kowloon City Cam
Take a look at the Kowloon City sky line with many skyscrapers in the foreground. A good view of the weather conditions over this region of Hong Kong.
View Kowloon City Cam.
Sai Kung Marine East Station Cam
A view towards the northeast, overlooking this area of heavy water traffic.
View Sai Kung Marine East Station Cam.
Intercontinental Hotel
View from the Intercontinental Hotel looking toward Central Victoria and overlooking the Convention and Exhibition Center. View the creative skyscraper illumination and fireworks on Chinese New Year.
View Intercontinental Hotel.
Peng Chau Cam
Hong Kong Observatory camera overlooking Disneyland and parts of Victoria Harbor.
View Peng Chau Cam.
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