Passengers flying from Hong Kong International Airport can expect a brand new scenic spot at the airport with its new Sky Bridge set to begin operation in mid-2020.

The 200-metre long weatherproof Sky Bridge will connect Terminal 1 and the North Satellite Concourse. The airport said this will minimise the travelling time between the two buildings, as passengers will be able to walk between the two buildings in about five to 10 minutes and they will no longer need to shuttle by buses.

According to the airport, Sky Bridge will be the world’s longest airside bridge. At a height of 28 metres above ground and with a span of over 130 metres, it will allow the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380, to taxi underneath.

What’s more, Sky Bridge will feature an observation deck, dining outlets and other passenger facilities. With glass floor installed at both sides of the bridge, passengers using the Sky Bridge will be able to enjoy views of the apron as well as aircraft passing underneath.

Construction of Sky Bridge started in 2018. According to the airport, the bridge, a steel structure, was prefabricated in Zhongshan in Guangdong province in order to minimise impact on the airport’s daily operations.

The bridge was then divided into three precast segments, which were transported to the assembly yard in the midfield area of the airport between September and October last year. After that, the segments were assembled to form the main structure of the bridge.

On January 9 this year, the main structure of Sky Bridge, which weighs over 5,000 tonnes, was transported over three kilometres on the airport’s apron from the assembly yard to its final position. The land delivery was carried out during the closure of a runway for maintenance at night time in three nights, according to the airport.

The main structure of the bridge was then erected on the bridge towers on the following day. So far, the prefabrication phase of the construction programme has been concluded.

According to the airport, installation of facilities and renovation works will begin with the main structure of Sky Bridge now in place. Sky Bridge is expected to begin operation in mid-2020.

Sky Bridge is one of Hong Kong Airport’s enhancement projects at Terminal 1 to increase capacity and provide new travel experience for passengers.

Last November, Hong Kong Airport temporarily closed its Terminal 2 for expansion work as part of its three-runway system project.

hongkongairport.com