Cathay Pacific has welcomed the Hong Kong government’s commitment to develop a “world-leading” integrated airport city.
The airline says capitalising on the commissioning of a three runway system, due to be completed this year, and more than doubling the airport site would further strengthen Hong Kong’s international aviation hub status.
The initiatives were outlined in the annual policy address by Hong Kong chief executive John Lee.
The airport expansion aims to boost tourism and attract international events.
“New projects will be developed to promote high‑end commercial, tourist and leisure activities,” Lee said.
These include an ecosystem for the arts industry, a yacht bay with ancillary facilities and a market for imported fresh food.
The third runway expansion will increase Hong Kong International airport’s annual capacity to 120 million passengers, representing a 50% growth.
Cathay Group chief executive Ronald Lam said: “The three-runway system is poised to open up many exciting opportunities, including tens of millions of additional passengers and millions of additional tonnes of cargo each year.
“We welcome the Hong Kong SAR Government’s plan to greatly expand the scale of the Airport City. The further expansion of the integrated airport ecosystem will create even more tourism and retail opportunities for Hong Kong, and reinforce its status as a world-leading international aviation hub.”
Lam added: “As Hong Kong’s home airline, we are eagerly looking forward to the new era of our international aviation hub that will take Hong Kong to new heights.
“We are a committed enabler of Hong Kong’s future through the connectivity we provide and within 2025 the Cathay Group will be flying passengers to 100 destinations around the world as we continue to expand our network.”