Hong Kong International Airport's (HKIA) new passenger terminal, known as Terminal 2 or T2, will begin phased opening next month, Hong Kong Airport Authority said Friday.

Located next to the existing Terminal 1, T2 brings a range of new facilities and services to the airport's rapidly expanding customer base. T2 is the centerpiece of HKIA's larger development called SkyCity which will enable Hong Kong to provide local and overseas passengers with a dynamic and memorable airport experience.

In February, 130 retail and catering outlets in SkyPlaza and four entertainment zones will start opening in the 140,000-square-metre terminal. A 36-bay coach station will debut next, while 56 airline check-in counters and customs and immigration facilities will open afterwards.

Commercial Director Hans Bakker said T2 highlights Airport Authority Hong Kong's commitment to creating a unique, pleasant experience at HKIA.

"T2 is an integral part of SkyCity, a development that is transforming HKIA from a city's airport into an airport city. Being the centerpiece of the SkyCity, the new terminal is also an integrated multimodal hub, where air, sea, land and rail transport converge seamlessly," he said.

"We have invested 2.8 billion HK dollars (359 million U.S. dollars) in Terminal 2, an automated people mover connecting T1 and T2, and two office buildings, including HKIA Tower, which will be the new headquarters for the Airport Authority. This investment will allow us to better meet passenger demand and strengthen HKIA's role as a regional and international transportation hub," he added.

In addition to Terminal 2, other projects under the SkyCity development include the SkyCity Nine Eagles Golf Course; SkyPier, a permanent cross-boundary ferry terminal; and a second airport hotel, the Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott Hotel. The golf course is scheduled to open in the first half of this year whereas the other two projects are slated to open in 2008.

(Xinhua News Agency January 27, 2007)