Your fast track to the PRD (hktdc.com)


	An artist’s impression shows the new-look SkyPier, which will further enhance the fast track to China via Hong Kong

Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) is investing HK$1 billion (US$129 million) to build a permanent cross-boundary ferry terminal linking the airport with the Pearl River Delta (PRD).

This latest initiative to streamline access into the Chinese mainland coincides with a MasterCard survey that confirms China remains the most frequently visited destination for business travellers worldwide.

The HKIA project involves an enhancement of its award-winning SkyPier, a concept launched in 2003 to provide transit passengers with a seamless and comfortable journey, in the shortest possible time. The initiative benefits overseas travellers who increasingly come to do business in the PRD, and gives outgoing PRD passengers fast access to destinations across the globe.

SkyPier enables mainland-bound travellers to fly into Hong Kong, where Customs, Immigration and Quarantine procedures are handled for both countries without leaving the airport. They then board a high-speed ferry linking with to five sea ports in the PRD region - Shenzhen Shekou, Shenzhen Fuyong, Macau, Zhongshan and Humen in Dongguan - almost halving the original travelling time.

World first

SkyPier also introduced the world's first cross-boundary upstream check-in service at Shekou port of Shenzhen, allowing passengers to obtain their Hong Kong boarding passes and check in their luggage at the PRD port.

The existing SkyPier has served 3.7 million transit passengers since its opening in September 2003. In 2006, passenger numbers reached 1.5 million, up more than 40 per cent over the year before. The annual passenger volume is expected to reach 3 million in five years' time. "When the permanent SkyPier begins its service in 2008, the passenger handling capacity will be further enhanced helping HKIA maintain its international hub status," Airport Authority Chief Executive Officer Dr David J Pang said.

In 2006, SkyPier won a top award for passenger transport excellence, commended by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport for its ingenuity and outstanding customer service.

Extra connections

Whether travelling by air or sea, Hong Kong remains the most efficient route to China. A Chinese Mainland-Hong Kong Air Services Arrangement announced last year boosted the number of mainland cities with direct air services to Hong Kong, taking the total to 56. The merger between Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific Airways and China’s Dragonair has also made transit travel quicker and easier, resulting in an extra 451 connections each week between Hong Kong and the mainland.

HKIA, meanwhile, continues to attract record business. For the 12 months ended October 31, 2006, passenger volume grew 8.7 per cent to 43.8 million, while cargo throughput and aircraft movement rose 5.9 per cent and 8 per cent, to 3.5 million tones and 279,000 respectively.

Airport Management Director Howard Eng said that origin, destination and transfer traffic continued to experience healthy growth, fuelled by buoyant regional demand. "The persistent growth gives us a strong base for another record-breaking year."

For four years in a row, HKIA has been voted "best airport" in a survey of travel professionals, who cited the airport’s excellent facilities, user-friendliness and efficiency of immigration and baggage claim, well-designed floor layout and convenient ground accessibility.