Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (HKBAC), recently named the World's Leading FBO Terminal at the World Travel Awards, has completed its five-year in-situ expansion project. With Phase Two now in operation, the expanded terminal is fully operational, strengthening Hong Kong's position as an international aviation and financial centre.

The project marks a major milestone for Hong Kong's business aviation sector and a proactive response to the Chinese National 15th Five-Year Plan. It enhances Hong Kong's competitiveness in premium travel, finance and mega events, while reinforcing the city's role as an international aviation and financial centre.

Guests joining the celebration included Captain Victor Liu, director-general of civil aviation; Mr. Fred Lam, chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong; Mr. Raymond Kwok, chairman and managing director of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SHKP); Mr. Christopher Kwok, executive director of SHKP; and The Honourable Sir Michael Kadoorie and Mr. Philip Kadoorie, both directors of Sir Elly Kadoorie & Sons Limited.

Fred Lam, chairman of the Airport Authority Hong Kong, says: “Business aviation is an essential part of Hong Kong International Airport's success as Asia's leading aviation hub. With the additional capacity brought by the three-runway system and the rising demand for business aviation, HKBAC will serve as a seamless gateway for high-net-worth travellers, linking private aviation directly with our Airport City Skytopia's various premium attractions.”

Raymond Kwok, chairman and managing director of SHKP, adds: “During the highly uncertain time of the COVID period, we decided to invest in HKBAC's terminal expansion as a strong vote of confidence in Hong Kong's long-term future. Leveraging Hong Kong's unique strength of being backed by the Mainland and connected to the world, HKBAC will further strengthen its role as a gateway and reinforce the city's position as an international business aviation hub.”

The Honourable Sir Michael Kadoorie, director of Sir Elly Kadoorie & Sons Limited and director of HKBAC, states: “Since the Kai Tak era, Hong Kong has served as an important gateway connecting the world. Today, the new HKBAC carries forward that role. It not only reflects Hong Kong's rising international standing, but also demonstrates the city's strength and determination to keep moving forward and reach new heights.”

HKBAC launched its in-situ expansion plan in 2021, despite the pandemic, to further enhance the privacy, efficiency and luxury of business aviation. The new terminal in phase one expansion opened last September and was quickly recognised as the World's Leading FBO Terminal at the 32nd World Travel Awards. In the first quarter of this year, business jet movements and passenger traffic both rose by more than 10 per cent compared to the same period last year, reflecting and facilitating Hong Kong's strong economic momentum and draw as a destination.

With the expansion complete, HKBAC is well positioned to meet emerging demand in premium travel, including pet travel, family and group charters, and services for major sports and financial events. Cross-boundary helicopter services will also be progressively enhanced. Last year, the number of pets handled by HKBAC rose by more than 40 per cent year on year. The new facility can host up to 300 guests, while the exclusive ‘Premier Direct’ service enables travellers to complete immigration and customs in just three minutes under the FBO's ‘Sky Canopy’.

HKBAC is a key enabler of Hong Kong's premium travel, financial and mega-event economy. Hong Kong ranked first globally for IPO fundraising in both the last year and first quarter of this year, and HKBAC handled hundreds of listing-related flights annually across those periods. Half of Hong Kong's top 30 listed companies use business aviation as a primary mode of travel, while the number of family offices in Hong Kong has risen by 25 per cent over the past two years. Last year, HKBAC also handled more than 330 flights linked to major financial, sports and entertainment events.

With its world-class terminal now fully operational and a network spanning 429 airports worldwide, HKBAC is well positioned to strengthen Hong Kong's role as an international aviation centre. The expansion project reflects HKBAC's commitment to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan and deeper collaboration across the Greater Bay Area, helping reinforce the city's role as a ‘super connector’ and value-adder.