Switched on: (from L to R) Airport Authority CEO Stanley Hui, General Administration of Civil Aviation of China Vice-Minister Gao Hongfeng, Chief Executive Donald Tsang, Airport Authority Chairman Victor Fung, Secretary for Economic Development & Labour Stephen Ip and Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR Xie Xiaoyan kick off the light show.

Hong Kong International Airport has officially opened Terminal 2, designed to meet growing passenger and cargo volumes. Chief Executive Donald Tsang says the opening is "a telling sign of where we see potential for further growth and co-operation."

Speaking at the launch today, Mr Tsang congratulated Airport Authority officials for their efforts to maintain the airport as the world's No 1.

"The multi-modal transport interchange - with road, rail and sea connections - will greatly enhance the attractiveness of our airport as the major international passenger and air cargo hub serving the Pearl River Delta. Hong Kong's global connectivity - and our location at the heart of Asia - is a major factor for international businesses looking for a regional base. We want to ensure that it is also a major asset for Chinese companies in the PRD region and beyond which are looking to take their products and services to the rest of the world," he said. 

To mark the opening and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officials unveiled the Earth Harp, the world's longest stringed musical instrument. A light show then bathed the new terminal in a spectacular display of colour.

Room to grow

Airport Authority Chairman Victor Fung noted the terminal provides room for new carriers to operate and for existing airlines to grow. It houses a 36-bay coach station serving hotel shuttles, and local and Mainland tour buses. It includes 56 airline check-in counters, as well as customs, immigration and security screening facilities.

A permanent cross-boundary ferry pier on the terminal's east side is scheduled for completion in 2009, to act as a conduit between the airport and the delta region.

To mark its opening and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, officials unveiled the Earth Harp, the world's longest stringed musical instrument. A light show then bathed the new terminal in a spectacular display of colour.