Hong Kong International airport-based FBO The Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (HKBAC) has broken ground on its $51 million in-situ expansion. The project is scheduled to complete in tandem with the airport's three-runway system development and will contribute to enhancing Hong Kong's ability to provide world class business aviation services underlining the city's international aviation hub status.

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) chairman Jack So Chak-kwong says: “Business aviation plays an important role in strengthening Hong Kong's status as a global financial centre and Hong Kong International airport's position as an international aviation hub. It provides business travellers with enhanced flexibility and efficiency, which are advantages in our modern commercial world. Upon completion of the expansion in 2025, Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre will double its handling capacity for business jet movements, tying in with our three-runway system and the Airport City developments.”

Secretary for transport & logistics Lam Sai-hung says: “HKBAC will, by virtue of this expansion project, be well-positioned to stay on top of the competition, improve the travel experience for passengers and tap into the rapid growth of business aviation demand in the Greater Bay Area and beyond, thereby helping Hong Kong to maintain its status as a premier international aviation hub.”

Referring to the impact of the Covid pandemic over the last nearly three years, Sun Hung Kai Properties chairman and MD Raymond Kwok adds: “There are always new challenges and with that the need for new solutions. Originally, most of our clients were business owners, banking executives and high net-worth individuals. Now our clients have become more broad-based and group charters had begun to figure more prominently. We want to re-think how best to meet their differing requirements. The three-runway system is coming on line and the Greater Bay Area beckons. Hong Kong's traditional gateway role will resume as soon as the door swings open. Like New York and London, Hong Kong plays a key role in servicing the needs of international capital. HKBAC's role is to serve the needs of those at the centre of these investment decisions for whom time is money, speed essential and freedom of movement vital.”

Long time aviation advocate and director of both Sir Elly Kadoorie & Sons and HKBAC the Hon Sir Michael D Kadoorie says: “We've always embraced a long-term view for aviation and Hong Kong. We believe in connectivity and Hong Kong's unique competitive edge as a world city known for the highest standards and best services, in addition to the plentiful development opportunities just across the boundary in the Greater Bay Area. Business aviation, with the option of cross-boundary helicopter commercial services, presents a seamless way to go from and to Hong Kong within the GBA and will help drive and raise integration momentum to benefit Hong Kong and the GBA. Despite the impact of the pandemic, I strongly believe, as my late father said likening it to a bouncing ball, the further it drops, the higher it will come back in future.”

In response to rising demand and the changing demand landscape, HKBAC's expansion plan will proceed in two parts: the first includes the refurbishment and expansion of the existing executive terminal building (ETB) with an upgrade on the co-located customs, immigration and quarantine (CIQ), plus a new all-weather canopy stretching from the ETB to shield and serve both aircraft and passengers. The second part features a new support terminal with enlarged facilities to cope with emerging demands from chartered flights and group travel flights, plus additional offices for fellow business aviation stakeholders, both to be launched in 2025.

Sun Hung Kai Properties executive director Robert Chan, project director of the expansion project, says: “It is one of the most exciting projects that needs to cater to customer's demands, emphasising higher efficiency, greater flexibility and better privacy. Together with the existing HKBAC facilities, the in-situ expansion will deliver an area five times that of the existing ones and the number of car-parking bays will double the existing provision. The new HKBAC will include designated and exclusive drop off and fast track check-in for ultimate privacy access when required by the customer. The new terminal building will include VIP lounge and suites for individuals, families and groups, providing world class services. The thoughtfully designed CIQ will allow fast-track departure and arrival. Pilot and crew lounges are also enhanced to provide well-equipped spaces for them to work on their flight plans or simply to rest. The new HKBAC will also be a good place for aviation-related business events and shows. As an iconic feature of the new terminal building, the canopy is the first of its kind in Asia and commands a span of over 26 metres. It is designed to cover a private jet and to serve and protect its customers from different weather conditions. Various green and smart features including solar panels, EV chargers and a smart building management system are also provided in the new HKBAC with various green labels.”

The expansion is expected to not only enhance customer service capacity and experience, but also provide the opportunity for digitalisation and continuous innovation.

HKBAC has been offering round-the-clock professional aircraft and ground support services for general aviation aircraft, including business jets, diplomatic and emergency flights. The majority of flights it handles are business flights: an economic study in recent years found that at least 65 of the top 100 Hong Kong listed companies utilised business aviation. HKBAC has recorded a peak of 9,000 flights for over 40,000 passengers in 2019.