HKIA T2 to open in May 27, 2026
Feb 16, 2026 | 9:12 pm
#1
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HKIA T2 to open in May 27, 2026
Hong Kong airport's second terminal to fully open, serve 15 airlines from May 27
So HX, UO and HB will use T2. Which other airlines are to transfer to T2?
So HX, UO and HB will use T2. Which other airlines are to transfer to T2?
Feb 17, 2026 | 12:33 am
#2
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Far be it from me to disagree with the storied SCMP, who were no doubt at HKIA when this announcement was made, but when I received the press release this morning it didn't make any mention of the terminal being "fully open" on May 27, nor that it would "serve 15 airlines from May 27"
Here's the actual press release from https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/m...e/2026/pr_1852
In short: "passenger departure facilities" will open on May 27, and while T2 will be "served by some 15 airlines... the airlines will move to T2 in phases."
I've gone back to HKIA PR asking for clarification on this, but no reply as yet...
Here's the actual press release from https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/m...e/2026/pr_1852
(Hong Kong, 17 February 2026, 1100hrs) The new passenger departure facilities at Terminal 2 (T2) of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) are scheduled to commence operations on 27 May 2026.
The announcement was made by Fred Lam, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, during the Chinese New Year celebrations at HKIA today.
The passenger facilities of the expanded T2 are commissioned in phases as planned to align with passenger traffic demand. Launching the T2 departure facilities in May will enable HKIA to meet the anticipated surge in passengers during the summer peak season, providing a new and pleasant travel experience for passengers.
Seamlessly connected to the Airport Express platform and Terminal 1, the expanded T2 will offer a new generation of smart check-in facilities. T2 is designed to be a trendy and vibrant space for leisure travellers, served by some 15 airlines which mainly operate short-haul and regional routes. The airlines will move to T2 in phases.
AAHK has been working closely with relevant government departments, airlines, passenger handling agents and other stakeholders to prepare for the commissioning of T2s departure facilities, with a robust and comprehensive programme of familiarisation activities, training sessions, drills, and exercises already underway.
The Coach Hall at T2 commenced operations on 23 September 2025 as the first phase launch of the new terminal. The Coach Hall provides 41 parking bays for tour buses, cross-boundary coaches, limousines, crew and resident coaches, as well as ticketing counters for cross-boundary transport connecting with more than 110 destinations in the Greater Bay Area.
The announcement was made by Fred Lam, Chairman of Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and Mable Chan, Secretary for Transport and Logistics, during the Chinese New Year celebrations at HKIA today.
The passenger facilities of the expanded T2 are commissioned in phases as planned to align with passenger traffic demand. Launching the T2 departure facilities in May will enable HKIA to meet the anticipated surge in passengers during the summer peak season, providing a new and pleasant travel experience for passengers.
Seamlessly connected to the Airport Express platform and Terminal 1, the expanded T2 will offer a new generation of smart check-in facilities. T2 is designed to be a trendy and vibrant space for leisure travellers, served by some 15 airlines which mainly operate short-haul and regional routes. The airlines will move to T2 in phases.
AAHK has been working closely with relevant government departments, airlines, passenger handling agents and other stakeholders to prepare for the commissioning of T2s departure facilities, with a robust and comprehensive programme of familiarisation activities, training sessions, drills, and exercises already underway.
The Coach Hall at T2 commenced operations on 23 September 2025 as the first phase launch of the new terminal. The Coach Hall provides 41 parking bays for tour buses, cross-boundary coaches, limousines, crew and resident coaches, as well as ticketing counters for cross-boundary transport connecting with more than 110 destinations in the Greater Bay Area.
I've gone back to HKIA PR asking for clarification on this, but no reply as yet...
Last edited by djsflynn; Feb 17, 2026 at 12:40 am
Feb 17, 2026 | 8:43 am
#4
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Far be it from me to disagree with the storied SCMP, who were no doubt at HKIA when this announcement was made, but when I received the press release this morning it didn't make any mention of the terminal being "fully open" on May 27, nor that it would "serve 15 airlines from May 27"
Here's the actual press release from https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/m...e/2026/pr_1852
In short: "passenger departure facilities" will open on May 27, and while T2 will be "served by some 15 airlines... the airlines will move to T2 in phases."
I've gone back to HKIA PR asking for clarification on this, but no reply as yet...
Here's the actual press release from https://www.hongkongairport.com/en/m...e/2026/pr_1852
In short: "passenger departure facilities" will open on May 27, and while T2 will be "served by some 15 airlines... the airlines will move to T2 in phases."
I've gone back to HKIA PR asking for clarification on this, but no reply as yet...
Feb 17, 2026 | 3:08 pm
#5
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Feb 17, 2026 | 9:20 pm
#6
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Update: HKIA just got back to me and confirmed that, as suspected, May 27 sees check-in at T2 for just three airlines (Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, and Greater Bay Airlines) but their flights will continue to depart from T1 (connection via APM). So, definitely not "fully open" nor "serving 15 airlines" as per Bloomberg.
Feb 17, 2026 | 10:09 pm
#7
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Update: HKIA just got back to me and confirmed that, as suspected, May 27 sees check-in at T2 for just three airlines (Hong Kong Airlines, HK Express, and Greater Bay Airlines) but their flights will continue to depart from T1 (connection via APM). So, definitely not "fully open" nor "serving 15 airlines" as per Bloomberg.
Feb 17, 2026 | 10:21 pm
#8
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In a way, we are getting back to the "old" T2 operations before covid when traffic was higher than now. You checked in at T2 but took the train to the T1 gates. At the time, there were more airlines with check-in at T2 including some full-service airlines like Thai airways.
Yes, funny, isn't it? And interesting to see HKIA describe T2 as being "served by some 15 airlines which mainly operate short-haul and regional routes", while medium- to long-haul will remain at T1. This implies that while some carriers like Thai and Singapore Airlines could relate to T2, perhaps also Air China and EVA, their long-haul Star Alliance siblings such as LH and LX would remain at T1. Wonder what that means (if anything) for the prospects of a Star Alliance-branded lounge at T1 or T2?
Feb 18, 2026 | 1:51 am
#9
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Yes, funny, isn't it? And interesting to see HKIA describe T2 as being "served by some 15 airlines which mainly operate short-haul and regional routes", while medium- to long-haul will remain at T1. This implies that while some carriers like Thai and Singapore Airlines could relate to T2, perhaps also Air China and EVA, their long-haul Star Alliance siblings such as LH and LX would remain at T1. Wonder what that means (if anything) for the prospects of a Star Alliance-branded lounge at T1 or T2?
T1 will still be the more premium experience.
a testament to Foster and Partners and the pre 1997 government.
Shocking considering almost all other airport terminals on earth that opened in 1997 are outdated.
Feb 18, 2026 | 6:25 am
#11
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I don't think it's a testament to F+P per se (I mean, Foster's concept for the Wing was looking sorely outdated to Crawford's one already prior to refurb), but more that if T2 requires an APM to get from check-in to concourse (which it does), it's never going to be a more premium experience compared to T1 anyway.
Feb 18, 2026 | 8:53 pm
#12
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Yes, funny, isn't it? And interesting to see HKIA describe T2 as being "served by some 15 airlines which mainly operate short-haul and regional routes", while medium- to long-haul will remain at T1. This implies that while some carriers like Thai and Singapore Airlines could relate to T2, perhaps also Air China and EVA, their long-haul Star Alliance siblings such as LH and LX would remain at T1. Wonder what that means (if anything) for the prospects of a Star Alliance-branded lounge at T1 or T2?
The issue is whether HKIA can force or simply induce airlines to move to T2.
For the old T2, the motivation was cheaper costs to operate check-in at T2. Airlines like TG seized the opportunity as they were in bad financial state.
Until T2 fully opens with gates, etc.. (2027,2028?), I doubt that a premium airline like SQ would want to move.
Any longhaul airline flying to/from HK would wish their connecting regional flights of the same alliance to be in the same terminal. I don't buy the "seamless" transit between the 2 terminals. Not forgetting about the T1 Midfield concourse and the long walk to the satellite concourse.
Besides the past and current delay (moved from Q1 to Q2 2026), I believe that the situation is sitll fluid.
Feb 18, 2026 | 11:19 pm
#13
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Until T2 fully opens with gates, etc.. (2027,2028?), I doubt that a premium airline like SQ would want to move.
Any longhaul airline flying to/from HK would wish their connecting regional flights of the same alliance to be in the same terminal.
Given SkyTeam's relatively Asia-heavy membership roster, and those being regional flights, perhaps most SkyTeam airlines will move to T2 and SkyTeam will open its own lounge at T2. Anyway, all speculation and so much can and will change over the next 12-18 months...
Feb 19, 2026 | 1:50 am
#14
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But unless pax can go back and forth between T1 and T2 departure level (seems "no" based on previous discussion on FT), CX's current practice allowing members and connecting F/J guests access to CX lounge before a CX*/UO flight would be short-lived?
Feb 19, 2026 | 12:43 pm
#15
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As far as I know, passenger will be able to travel easily back and forth between T1 and T2C.