SINGAPORE: It’s been known as the hub wars. As Hong Kong Worldwide Airport (HKG) launched its Terminal 2 on Wednesday (Could 27), the town is broadly understood to have began a bid for supremacy within the area, difficult Singapore’s Changi Airport, which has persistently topped greatest airport lists not just for Asia however all throughout the globe.
Not that HKG has been a poor performer in that class. It’s at the moment ranked on Skytrax’s World’s Prime 100 Airports 2026 record, which is topped by Changi Airport, a distinction it has held 14 occasions. The highest 10 is dominated by Asian airports, with the highest 5 going to Changi, Seoul Incheon, Tokyo Haneda, Hong Kong, and Tokyo Narita, so as.
Each Singapore and Hong Kong have unexpectedly benefited from the battle within the Center East, with quite a few flights suspended because the conflict widened, in addition to vacationers selecting Asian airports over these in Gulf states for long-haul routes.
Hong Kong goes hi-tech
Hong Kong Terminal 2 is a whopping 300,000 sq. metres, and is designated for each arriving and departing vacationers. It has eight check-in aisles, 58 sensible check-in kiosks, 68 categorical self-bag drop counters, and 108 hybrid check-in counters
You guessed it, the brand new terminal’s largest draw is how technologically superior it’s, as it’s closely run on synthetic intelligence, robotics, and facial recognition.
Lest that description makes it sound just like the ambiance in Terminal 2 is chilly or too modernistic, the halls of the terminal function quite a few massive LED screens that function floating fish and ocean waves.
“We have now a variety of LED, animation, and new designs emphasising expertise, and now we have our in-house design for a self-check-in system, which solely requires 45 seconds to undergo your complete course of. We need to assist the airways emigrate to a full-automation course of, which is able to really assist passengers have higher experiences and in addition scale back the labour wants,” mentioned Vivian Cheung, Chief Govt Officer of Airport Authority Hong Kong.
On the departure corridor, eight catering shops serve passengers, half of that are open 24 hours a day. Apparently, the Philippine quick meals chain Jollibee has opened an outlet in Terminal 2, in step with the airport’s thrust to cater to youthful vacationers.
FB screengrab/ Jollibee
Will it beat Changi Airport?
Maybe it’s too early to inform, although HKG already gained World’s Greatest Airport on the World Journey Awards final 12 months, and has additionally held the award for greatest airport washrooms. Moreover, with AI turning into an increasing number of part of every day life, Hong Kong’s ahead considering might place it a step forward of Singapore. Maybe most significantly, HKG has the benefit of entry to China’s hinterland.
In the meantime, Singapore can, and will take delight in the great thing about Jewel Changi, in addition to the retail, leisure, and eating choices throughout its 4 airport terminals. It has additionally gained accolades for being family-friendly and for greatest workers service. /TISG
Learn additionally: Singapore’s Changi Airport is ranked 1st—and 2nd—greatest airport on the planet by travellers
