Customer comfort focus of facilities upgrade at HKIA

The Airport Authority (AA) today announced a major upgrade of terminal facilities and services, with an emphasis on relaxation and comfort for passengers.

Starting this summer, coffee counters, showers and napping area, mini-cinema and massage facilities will be just some of the new attractions aimed at creating a uniquely enjoyable airport experience for passengers and other airport users.

AA Commercial Director Hans Bakker said the travelling public could look forward to a total of 8,300 sqm of new shops, restaurants, cafes and other attractions being added to the terminal over the next three years.

To begin with, five new specialty coffee counters - three Starbucks and two Pacific Coffee counters -- will open this summer, along with eight shower rooms with a napping area, six television viewing areas catering to different nationalities, a games zone complete with 3-D mini-cinema, and photo developing service.

Starbucks is an internationally renowned brandname that will appeal to international passengers. Its three counters will be located after the Immigration area. Pacific Coffee is a successful local brand and its two counters will be located before the Immigration area on the Departures level.

The photo developing service will allow passengers to drop off films before immigration and collect their prints before boarding their flights.

The AA will also launch various web-based passenger services, including personalised flight information via email; advanced orders for retail merchandise; and restaurant reservations.

"Our customers are our best consultants," Mr Bakker said. "We listen to them and work hard to satisfy their needs. We hope these new facilities and services will provide passengers with a more pleasurable and enjoyable airport experience."