The Hong Kong Airport Authority (AA) Friday invited Expressions of Interest from developers worldwide to build and manage a key new passenger facility, transport interchange and business center at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

The multi-purpose development, to be called SkyPlaza, will feature a variety of facilities for passengers and other airport users, but with a special emphasis on tour groups and passengers traveling to or from the mainland.

SkyPlaza will be connected to the Passenger Terminal via the Airport Express railway station. The development will be the gateway for SkyCity, the 57-hectare commercial district that will also be home to Hong Kong's second exhibition center and other airport-related businesses.

It will enjoy excellent transport connections, with Airport Express links to the city and bus connections throughout Hong Kong and into the Chinese mainland.

The lower floors of SkyPlaza will include a 30,000 square meters retail center. Directly connected to the Airport Express railway station, the podium will house tour group check-in facilities and an expanded tour coach bus station. The retail accommodation comprises shops, cafes and entertainment facilities.

Above the podium will be four eight-storey office building structures with a total gross floor area of 60,000 square meters.

( People's Daily April 19, 2002)