On June 1, Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) commemorated the opening of Terminal 2 (T2) and the 10th anniversary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) with a series of events that included the local debut of Earth Harp, the world's longest stringed musical instrument. The Earth Harp performance was followed by a light show that bathed the exterior of T2 in a dazzling display of colour.

The Hon Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the HKSAR; Mr Gao Hongfeng, Vice-Minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China; Dr Victor Fung, Chairman of the Airport Authority (AA); Mr Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour; Mr Xie Xiaoyan, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR; and Mr Stanley Hui, Chief Executive Officer of AA, jointly turned a switch that illuminated T2's facade with 41 brilliant columns of light.

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Victor Fung said, "To meet growing passenger and cargo volumes and remain competitive, we constantly improve and expand the airport. Terminal 2 provides room for new carriers to operate and for existing airlines to grow."

Terminal 2

T2 is a multi-modal hub where sea, land and air transport converge seamlessly. Easily accessible via the Airport Express train, buses, taxis and private cars, T2 houses a 36-bay coach station serving hotel shuttles, and local and Mainland tour buses. Through the coach station, passengers enjoy seamless connections to more than 70 cities and towns in the Pearl River Delta (PRD).

T2 is designed and built to meet future demand. It includes 56 airline check-in counters, as well as customs, immigration and security screening facilities, all of which were fully tested during T2's phased opening earlier this year.

Mr Stanley Hui said, "Thai Airways International and Qatar Airways will soon join Oasis Hong Kong Airlines and Emirates, which provide check-in services at T2. Additional airlines are expected to operate from T2 in the months ahead."

The majority of T2's retail, dining and entertainment facilities are located in the non-restricted, landside area, complementing outlets in the airside section of T1. T2's interior design features the natural light, open space and high ceilings that have made T1 so popular with travellers.

Scheduled for completion in early 2009, a permanent cross-boundary ferry pier on the east side of T2 will act as conduit between the airport and the PRD. SkyPier will be linked to T1 and T2 by the automated people mover.

Hong Kong International Airport

HKIA served over 45 million passengers during the year ended 31 March 2007. About 800 flights take off and land at HKIA each day, connecting Hong Kong to 47 countries and 150 cities worldwide, including 40 Mainland destinations.

Photograph: Guests turn the switch and illuminate T2's facade. From left: Mr Stanley Hui, AA CEO; Mr Gao Hongfeng, Vice-Minister of the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China; The Hon Donald Tsang, Chief Executive of the HKSAR; Dr Victor Fung, AA Chairman; Mr Stephen Ip, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour; and Mr Xie Xiaoyan, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR.