The new city terminal at the JEN Shenzhen Qianhai Hotel. Photos by Lin Jianping

The official opening of Hong Kong International Airport's (HKIA) first premium city terminal in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) today marked a major milestone. The facility is located at the JEN Shenzhen Qianhai Hotel.

The new facility, HKIA's 31st city terminal in the GBA and the 8th in Shenzhen, provides seamless multi-modal connectivity between the two cities. Positioned in a key transport hub, the terminal features self-service check-in counters, exclusive lounge areas, and tailored services for high-end travelers, enabling a "doorstep-to-boarding gate" international travel experience.

Vivian Cheung, CEO of Airport Authority Hong Kong, called the launch "a significant achievement in expanding HKIA's city terminal network across the GBA and a fresh attempt at premium service models."

She added that the facility will "enhance comfort and efficiency for frequent business and international travelers, while deepening integration of multi-modal services between Shenzhen and Hong Kong."

A passenger prints out a boarding pass at the self-check-in and bag-tag printing machine.

The new terminal will roll out pre-check and baggage drop-off services gradually. This will allow passengers to complete check-in and luggage handling in Shenzhen before heading to HKIA, thereby reducing time spent at the airport. Starting in October, passengers using cross-border transport from the terminal to the Hong Kong airport will be eligible for a HK$200 (US$26) departure tax refund.

In parallel, HKIA will open a new indoor Coach Hall at Terminal 2 on Sept. 23. Operating 24/7, the facility, with 41 parking spaces for tour buses, cross-boundary coaches, limousines, and local shuttles, will provide shuttle services to the airport's Terminal 1 and GBA cities. 

Chapman Fong, director of the Hub Development at the Airport Authority Hong Kong, highlighted the significance of Qianhai as "a frontier of Shenzhen–Hong Kong cooperation and home to many financial, commercial, and tech enterprises." He said the JEN Shenzhen Qianhai Hotel city terminal is designed specifically to cater to high-end travelers frequenting HKIA from this area.

James Wong, CEO of Kwoon Chung Bus Holdings Ltd., which is partnering in the project, called the opening "an important milestone in extending our cross-boundary services and advancing transportation integration in the GBA." He emphasized the company's commitment to passenger-first service and regional connectivity.

With dedicated check-in facilities and cross-boundary shuttle services, the new city terminal allows passengers to complete boarding formalities in Qianhai and travel directly to HKIA's restricted area without repeated immigration checks — significantly reducing overall travel time.

As one of the world's busiest international hubs, HKIA serves over 140 airlines and 220 destinations worldwide. By expanding its sea–land–air multi-modal transport network, HKIA is strengthening its role as the "dual gateway" connecting the GBA and the Chinese mainland with the rest of the world.