HK airport(called Chek Lap Kok , isnt that a tongue twister?) , infact is one of the best airports I have seen so far.This new airport is strategically located ’n acts as an important transit between south east asian countries, china and west coast of US, ’n is definitely acts an asian hub(with Cathay Pacific airlines having its headquarters here) .This state of the art , sparkling modern new airport provides the transit passengers with all the facilities needed just at one’s finger tips .
This airport is built newly on a man made island , and the runway infact extends into the ocean.(I just wonder what happens if there is a typhoon/storm , which is very frequent here).All the terminal leads into a hugeY-shaped main lobby, ’n the entire terminal is cocooned in a huge white canopy ’n glass ’m metal creation.Inspite of the enormous traffic this airport handles , it has lots of space for the transit passengers to lounge comfortably ’n one cant just feel that congestion ’n buzz, which is so aparent in airports like zurich(one of the worse ) , Los Angeles ( ’n airports like Bombay is no better than a fish market).This airport has seperate smoking lounges , ’n some other mindblowing stats like 350 internet access touchscreen phones, a baggage handling system capable of 20, 000 items per hour, 102 elevators, 54 moving sidewalks and a high-speed subway to whisk passengers from one end of the terminal to the other. And lots of shopping options with whole range of designer labels, electronic goods so on.But the only problem is there r very few eatouts , ’n that too specially customised with SE Asain flavour ’n maybe better to have fast food joints, restaurants usually like in other airports where one has all kinds ranging from McDonalds, Burgerking ’n so on.
It is said to be connected with the mainland or downtown with a hi-speed rail, boats, and buses, making transportation very easy.There is also a paid tour to discover the city for those who r in transit for longer durations.(I just wished my connecting flights got delayed, but no it nver happens when one wants).
The old HK airport which this one replaced was said to be one of the most cherished one(among the locals here who were said to be in tears when it was closed down) as it was said to be located right in the middle of downtown, ’n while the plane landed it flew so low that it seemed to just scrape those skyscrapers ’n was indeed a must , sight seeing place.But even thou’ the present one doesnt have such an adventuristic descent , but the view of HK is definitely a memorable one, with those countless skyscrapers , harbour, crisscrossed flyovers ’n those scattered islands, espcially in the night to witness those riot of lights ’n those illuminated hi-rise glass marvels.
In all a model airport to be emulated , ’n no doubt is considered one of the best in the world.