HKIA chief executive Dr David Pang (third left) and commercial director Hans Bakker (first left)at the launch of Skypier airport ferry terminal which gets travellers to and from southern China in record time

The recent launch of the Skypier airport ferry terminal at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) gets travellers to and from southern China's Pearl River Delta (PRD) in record time, according to Airport Authority chief executive Dr David Pang.

The initiative will benefit overseas travellers who increasingly come to do business in the PRD, and will give outgoing PRD passengers fast access to destinations across the globe.

Dr Pang said Skypier was a significant step in bringing closer co-operation between Hong Kong and the PRD. "We are all very excited as this is a very innovative way to extend the Hong Kong market reach of seven million people to 26 million in the PRD. It makes a truly multi-modal international transport hub with land and sea transport."

Skypier gives passengers to and from the PRD fast, hassle-free connections through customs, immigration and quarantine, reducing the procedure to one step instead of previous three. Outgoing travellers can be whisked through HKIA for direct flights to 140 destinations served by 74 airlines.

High-speed ferries will shuttle passengers between Hong Kong four mainland ports initially - Shekou, Shenzhen, Macau and Humen in Dongguan - and later extending to Zhuhai, Guanghou and Zhoushan. From the ferry they will board bonded buses for the airport, bypassing further formalities, and cutting by up to half the current four hours' transit time.

Importantly, a readable auto tag system also means that passengers' luggage can be checked right through.

Business and leisure travellers alike are expected to benefit from Skypier, which aims to attract one million travellers in the first year.

Further serving the needs of PRD travellers, a dedicated Skyplaza development is due to be ready in around 2005/06. This includes construction of a coach station with airport-style TV announcements of bus schedules and connecting gates, a retail sector, and various leisure activities including an Imax theatre.

HKIA commercial director Hans Bakker described the advancement as "a breakthrough in the mindset of how to reach out to the catchment area of the PRD". "It's simple - HKIA looked at how we could position ourselves as THE airport of the PRD," Mr Bakker said. "This service means that the ferry has the same status as an airplane and now that visa requirements have been relaxed, many more people will benefit from the time savings and the easy connection
 
Peng Dong, general manager of International Airport Ferry Services Limited, operator of Skypier, said the launch could not come at a better time. "We see a strong and continuous growth in travellers, boosted by the Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement and as more cities allow individual travel."

Related link:
Hong Kong International Airport www.hkairport.com