Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has announced that passengers will be able to access the departure facilities of its new Terminal 2 from May 27, 2026, marking another major milestone in the airport’s long-term expansion and modernisation programme.
According to the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK), 15 airlines will begin relocating their check-in services to Terminal 2 starting from the commissioning of the new departure facilities.
The opening ceremony on May 22, 2026, was officiated by Fred Lam, Chairman of AAHK; Michael Wong, Acting Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics; Chris Sun, Secretary for Labour and Welfare; and Vivian Cheung, Chief Executive Officer of AAHK, alongside other senior officials.
Fred Lam, Chairman of AAHK, said, “The opening of T2 is another milestone of HKIA’s development. Positioned as a terminal for leisure travel, T2’s design prioritises efficiency and passenger comfort. We attend to every detail, leveraging technology extensively to enable efficient self-check-in, self-bag drop and smooth immigration clearance. We believe T2 would be popular among passengers, in particular young travellers. The airy interiors, the clean and floating lines of its streamline design make T2 a timeless architecture, while the dynamic and 3D contents on the LED panels around T2 create a vibe that generates a sense of excitement as passengers embark on their journeys.”
Michael Wong, Acting Financial Secretary, said, “The remarkable achievements of HKIA have been hard-earned, and we will continue to strive in the future. The government will continue to adopt a multi-pronged approach to strengthen HKIA’s position as an international aviation hub, including accelerating the expansion of the aviation network, enhancing intermodal connectivity with the Greater Bay Area, and advancing the development of the Airport City. In particular, we will proactively align with and work on the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and fully support Hong Kong’s role as an international aviation hub.”
Spanning 300,000 square metres, Terminal 2 has been designed to accommodate both departures and arrivals, with arrival operations expected to commence next year in line with passenger traffic demand.
The departures hall features eight check-in aisles, designated P to W, alongside 68 express self bag-drop counters, 58 smart check-in kiosks and 108 hybrid check-in counters.
The self-bag-drop and hybrid counters incorporate ultra-low platform designs to make baggage handling easier for passengers.
The terminal also introduces 20 e-Security Gates equipped with facial recognition technology. In tandem with the opening of Terminal 2, the minimum age requirement for using facial recognition e-Security Gates across both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 will be reduced from 11 years to seven years.
Inside the restricted area, all 15 smart security screening channels will allow passengers to keep laptops and bottled liquids under 100ml inside their carry-on luggage during screening procedures.
The Immigration Department has also established 35 e-Channels and 60 immigration counters for departing travellers.
Large LED installations featuring 3D visuals and ocean-themed content have been integrated across different levels of the terminal to create a vibrant and immersive atmosphere.
The terminal’s departures hall also includes a food court with eight dining outlets, four of which will operate 24 hours a day, along with 12 retail stores offering travel essentials, souvenirs and other products.
