Hong Kong International Airport introduces smart technology

Tuesday, March 12, 2024

In a significant development aimed at augmenting air cargo capacity, the Cainiao Smart Gateway logistics center, situated at the airport, is poised to increase capacity by an impressive 1.7 million tonnes annually. This expansion is set to fortify Hong Kong’s position as a pivotal cross-border e-commerce hub.

The initiative, backed by an HK$12 billion investment, culminated last year with the completion of the gateway, encompassing a vast area of 380,000 square meters. This strategic move is anticipated to boost the airport’s cargo handling efficiency while minimizing the reliance on human labor.

The gateway, a sophisticated logistics center, emerges as the city’s third-largest warehouse. Its establishment was spearheaded by Cainiao, the logistics branch of the Alibaba Group, in collaboration with China National Aviation and YTO Express, marking a significant milestone in the city’s logistics infrastructure development.

Hong Kong International Airport is intensifying efforts to realize its ambition of transforming the city into a central hub for e-commerce and trade, especially serving as a critical gateway for the Greater Bay Area’s international goods transportation.

Cissy Chan, the Executive Director of Commercial at HKIA, highlighted that over 75% of the Greater Bay Area’s air cargo currently transits through Hong Kong International Airport. She referenced the 14th five-year development plan, which envisions the airport as a global aviation hub, with the Greater Bay Area Outline Development Plan underscoring the goal to establish a world-class airport cluster. In addition, she mentioned collaboration with Dongguan city to enhance air-sea transport links, aiming to create intelligent logistics networks.

The airport also aspires to lead in the management of special cargo by implementing more sophisticated temperature monitoring systems for specific goods. Looking ahead to 2024, Chan is optimistic about the city’s aviation recovery, noting a 20% increase in air cargo volumes in the initial months of the year, partly attributed to a rebound from the previous year’s low base. Tim Wong, Cathay Pacific’s General Manager Cargo Service Delivery, reported that the city’s flagship carrier had restored 85% of its pre-Covid cargo capacity, transporting 1.4 million tonnes last year, signaling a positive trajectory for Hong Kong’s travel and tourism industry through enhanced logistics and e-commerce capabilities.

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