Hong Kong International Airport’s expanded Terminal 2 (T2) will bring its long-awaited departure facilities into operation on 27 May, in time for the peak summer travel season and the city’s continuing aviation recovery. Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) confirmed the date during Lunar New Year celebrations at Chek Lap Kok, calling the reopening a key milestone in its multibillion-dollar capacity upgrade programme.
The rebuilt T2 is designed as a more leisure-oriented space serving 15 airlines operating short-haul and regional routes. Carriers including HK Express, Hong Kong Airlines and other Asia-focused operators are expected to relocate their check-in operations from Terminal 1 in phases once the hall opens.
Officials say the move will relieve congestion in the main terminal ahead of the busy summer period and help the airport manage rising traffic as it returns towards pre-pandemic levels.
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T2’s departure level will feature 48 traditional check-in counters alongside 30 self-service bag-drop stations and expanded biometric security lanes, aimed at speeding up processing times. Smart Departure e-gates, similar to those already used in Terminal 1, will allow eligible travellers to clear exit formalities in under half a minute, while upgraded screening lanes are expected to cut minimum connection times by up to 15 minutes for some itineraries.
The terminal is directly linked to the Airport Express station and to Terminal 1 via an air-conditioned footbridge, giving passengers step-free access between check-in, ground transport and the main concourses.
T2 was closed in late 2019 to allow major expansion works tied to Hong Kong’s three-runway system, which will ultimately lift the airport’s annual passenger capacity to around 70 million. The first stage of the terminal’s relaunch came in September last year with the opening of a large indoor coach hall consolidating tour bus and mainland coach services under one roof.
