HKIA Deepens GBA Integration and Pushes Cargo Capacity Growth

(HONG KONG) Hong Kong International Airport is accelerating plans to knit itself more tightly into the Greater Bay Area through new cross-boundary passenger and cargo links, while pushing ahead with major infrastructure to support long‑term growth. The airport, which remains the world’s busiest for cargo, is deepening its partnership with Zhuhai and building a permanent sea‑air logistics base in Dongguan.

At the same time, the Hong Kong government is studying new rail connections and possible co-location immigration arrangements at the airport, though no decisions have been made. Together, these moves aim to keep Hong Kong International Airport at the center of a region with more than 87 million people and a GDP near $2 trillion.

Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong: A visible shift in connectivity

The most visible sign of the shift is the “Fly-Via-Zhuhai-Hong Kong” service. Hong Kong International Airport acquired a 35% stake in Zhuhai Airport and launched this transfer option to let mainland travelers:

• Take a domestic flight to Zhuhai
• Cross the Hong Kong‑Zhuhai‑Macao Bridge by land
• Connect at Hong Kong International Airport to worldwide destinations

This offers a simple way for passengers in the western Pearl River Delta to reach long‑haul routes without new immigration processes at Zhuhai. Airport leaders say the service links Zhuhai’s domestic network to Hong Kong’s global reach in a single journey.

Cargo remains the backbone

Cargo continues to be central to HKIA’s role in the region.

• About 70% of the Greater Bay Area’s international freight moves through Hong Kong International Airport.
• Cargo volumes rose 1.9% year‑on‑year in the first half of 2025, despite slower flows in some markets.
• Growth in Australasia, Europe, and the Middle East helped offset weaker shipments to North America.

Industry analysts warn that policy shifts—such as new US tariff measures and changes to e‑commerce duty exemptions—could affect future demand. Still, the airport’s current performance shows steady resilience.

Deeper ties between HKIA and Zhuhai

The partnership with Zhuhai is framed as a blueprint for cooperative growth across the Greater Bay Area rather than direct competition. The model:

• Gives airlines and travelers more routing options without duplicating international capacity at smaller airports.
• Relies on the Hong Kong‑Zhuhai‑Macao Bridge for smooth land transfer and coordinated handling on both sides.

For passengers, the main benefits are shorter paths to global flights and wider choices—especially useful when long‑haul frequencies tighten during peak seasons. Analysis by VisaVerge.com places these integrated services within a broader regional trend: linking domestic and international networks through shared infrastructure rather than building parallel hubs.

Capacity upgrades and passenger impacts

The airport’s long‑term capacity upgrade supports these ties. Key facts:

• The three‑runway system, completed in December 2024, provides headroom to target 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually within the next decade.
• Regional airlines, including Greater Bay Airlines, have begun adding routes and adjusting schedules to use the new runway and cross‑boundary links.

Practical benefits extend beyond airlines: added frequencies help families and students reach education centers and time trips to school calendars, a real‑world advantage often overshadowed by fleet and slot discussions.

Cargo push and the Dongguan sea‑air corridor

On the freight side, HKIA is expanding sea‑air intermodal flows that begin inside Mainland China.

• The sea‑air transshipment service with Dongguan Logistics Park handled cargo valued at RMB 30 billion ($4 billion) between April 2023 and June 2025.
• The route allows goods to clear certain steps closer to origin, then move by water to the airport for uplift—reducing airside handling pressure and speeding turnaround for high‑value shipments.

Construction of a permanent facility at Dongguan Logistics Park began in July 2025. Phase one is due to open in the first half of 2027.

Planned site features and targets:

• Use of autonomous guided vehicles and customized containers for fast sea‑to‑air handover
• Aim to cut handling costs by 50%
• Reduce processing time by one‑third

For e‑commerce sellers and manufacturers across the Greater Bay Area, these savings can determine inventory staging and airport choice. For small businesses, the reduced time and cost help meet tight delivery promises and retain customers.

Regional infrastructure and policy context

The broader regional picture is changing with coordinated upgrades:

• New rail spurs
• Enhanced bridge links
• Upgraded airport facilities

These fit the Outline Development Plan’s goal of a world‑class airport cluster where each facility plays to its strengths and shares flows across borders. For an official overview of the policy framework, consult the Hong Kong SAR Government’s portal: Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Outline Development Plan.

Rail links, “super aviation hub,” and co-location studies

The Hong Kong government is studying several rail connections to tie HKIA more closely to Qianhai, Shenzhen Bay, and Shenzhen Airport. Proposed links include:

• Hong Kong Island West–Hung Shui Kiu Rail Link
• Hong Kong–Shenzhen Western Rail Link

Officials envision a “Hong Kong–Shenzhen super aviation hub” where travelers and cargo move between airports with minimal friction and coordinated schedules. However, details remain under review.

One option under consideration is co‑location at Hong Kong International Airport, where immigration and customs for both Hong Kong and Mainland China would be processed at the same site. The government emphasizes careful study to assess impacts on transfer times and passenger flows.

• Important: No final decision or implementation timeline has been announced as of September 2025.
• Key issues to resolve include staffing, security zones, data exchange, and passenger wayfinding.

Practical implications for travelers and shippers

Policy choices affect real people and businesses:

• Students and families want clear, quick transfers at the border.
• Logistics managers need predictable cut‑off times and assurance that trucks, barges, and aircraft synchronize.
• Small‑to‑medium shippers rely on reduced handling time and lower costs to stay competitive.

If the Dongguan facility delivers the promised improvements, HKIA could secure a larger share of e‑commerce fulfillment from Pearl River Delta factories and warehouses. This would support airlines operating widebody freighters and bellyhold services, encouraging carriers to add frequencies or upgauge aircraft on key lanes.

Industry response and risk factors

How the market is adapting:

• Greater Bay Area carriers are adjusting networks to feed the “Fly‑Via‑Zhuhai‑Hong Kong” service.
• Ground handlers are investing in equipment compatible with new container systems planned for Dongguan.
• Freight forwarders are building bundled services that include inland pre‑clearance and quick transfer across the bridge or by barge.

Risks that could affect outcomes:

• Changes in global trade policy and tariff regimes
• Adjustments to duty‑free thresholds for small parcels, shifting e‑commerce flows
• Fuel price and currency volatility squeezing margins

Analysts highlight HKIA’s strength in adapting quickly—reallocating labor, equipment, and schedules to match demand—while anchoring those moves with long‑term projects like the third runway and the Dongguan base.

Key takeaway: The success of integration efforts will depend on delivering clear, reliable service—faster transfers, more route choices, and stable handling—even as markets shift.

Next milestones and outlook

Near‑term milestones to watch:

1. Opening of Dongguan Logistics Park phase one in the first half of 2027
2. Continued growth of “Fly‑Via‑Zhuhai‑Hong Kong”
3. Ongoing expansion and utilization of the three‑runway system

Airport officials and local leaders frame these steps as a long game: the objective is a connected system where people and products move smoothly within the Greater Bay Area and beyond. If studies on rail links and co‑location yield workable solutions, the region could see a substantial jump in convenience and throughput. If not, the current model—using bridges, barges, and a strong airside operation in Hong Kong—remains a solid foundation.

What matters most to both travelers and shippers is clear, reliable service. By pairing infrastructure projects with careful policy work, Hong Kong International Airport aims to deliver faster transfers, broader route choice, and dependable handling as markets evolve.