Hong Kong International Airport will begin using the new departure facilities at Terminal 2 on May 27, 2026, marking one of the biggest passenger-facing changes at the airport in recent years.
The reopening forms part of HKIA’s wider three-runway expansion and will bring new check-in areas, self-service facilities and a phased relocation of 15 airlines from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 by mid-June.
Terminal 2 Gets Ready For Its First Departing Passengers
For passengers, the return of Terminal 2 should make departures feel more spacious and streamlined. The new facilities include self bag drop, airline check-in counters, e-Security Gates and e-Boarding Gates. Travellers will be able to reach the terminal by Airport Express, airport bus, cross-boundary transport or private car, before continuing to the boarding gates via the Automated People Mover, the airport’s driverless train system.
The wider Terminal 2 project also includes the Terminal 2 Concourse, which brings in green building features such as photovoltaic panels, energy-efficient glazing and seawater cooling. According to the airport, the new departure facilities are expected to handle around eight million passenger trips in their first 12 months of operation.
To make sure the new setup is ready, HKIA held a full-scale trial on May 14, with more than 1,100 participants from around 30 organisations testing the passenger journey before the first departures on May 27.
Which Airlines Are Moving To Terminal 2?
The relocation will happen in stages, so passengers should check their departure terminal before travelling to the airport. Hong Kong Airlines will be the first airline to move, starting check-in at Terminal 2 on May 27. Other regional and short-haul carriers will follow in batches from May 28 to June 10.
| Effective date | Airline | Check-in aisle |
|---|---|---|
| 27 May 2026 | Hong Kong Airlines | Q |
| 28 May 2026 | AirAsia | V |
| 28 May 2026 | Batik Air Malaysia | W |
| 28 May 2026 | Hainan Airlines | V |
| 28 May 2026 | Philippines AirAsia Inc | V |
| 28 May 2026 | Thai AirAsia | V |
| 28 May 2026 | Thai Lion Air | W |
| 2 June 2026 | Cambodia Airways | W |
| 2 June 2026 | IndiGo | W |
| 2 June 2026 | VietJet Air | W |
| 3 June 2026 | Bangkok Airways | V |
| 3 June 2026 | Greater Bay Airlines | Q |
| 3 June 2026 | JEJU Air | V |
| 9 June 2026 | Cebu Pacific Air | P |
| 10 June 2026 | HK Express | U |
By mid-June, all 15 airlines are expected to complete their move, helping HKIA prepare for the busy summer travel period. Passengers flying with these airlines should check their terminal and check-in aisle before heading to the airport, as their departure process may now begin at Terminal 2 instead of Terminal 1.
Header Image Credit: Hong Kong International Airport