Dongguan Air Cargo Centre targets 2027 launch
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Hong Kong International Airport’s Dongguan air cargo centre is moving ahead with a long-term expansion plan that aims to shift more cargo processing into the Greater Bay Area hinterland before goods reach Hong Kong. The permanent facilities are expected to start trial operations in April 2027 and formally begin service in June 2027. Airport Authority Hong Kong says the project is designed to serve the Greater Bay Area by extending Hong Kong airport’s cargo and business aviation services inland, while cutting time and costs through pre-clearance, security screening and palletisation in Dongguan. When the long-term plan is fully operational, the centre’s annual cargo handling capacity is expected to exceed one million tonnes
Key Points
- Airport Authority Hong Kong cargo executive Kwok Hung-ning said the permanent Dongguan facilities should begin trial runs in April 2027 and full operations in June 2027.
- The first-phase site area is planned to expand to 380,000 square metres, with smart quay cranes, autonomous cargo vehicles and automated shelving systems.
- The long-term project involves about HK$6 billion in investment and more than 550,000 square metres of gross floor area
- Planned facilities include an automated terminal, intelligent air cargo station, value-added logistics centre, international express warehouse and a six-storey integrated freight forwarding warehouse
- Since operations began in 2023, cumulative cargo value handled has exceeded HK$80 billion, while this year’s total had reached RMB29.1 billion by August 20, up about onefold year on year.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong, the project strengthens the airport’s role as an international cargo hub by moving key handling steps closer to manufacturers in the Greater Bay Area while keeping Hong Kong as the aviation gateway. The arrangement also supports faster cargo flows because shipments screened in Dongguan are recognised by Hong Kong Customs and do not require a second security check after arriving in Hong Kong