By the 1840s, Hong Kong emerged as one of the busiest international centers for passengers and cargoes. For civil as well as military purposes, Hong Kong houses quite a few airports, heliports and helipads. Every year, thousands of people come to Hong Kong for a variety of purposes. There are a number of tourist attractions in Hong Kong, and many business travelers too come to Hong Kong for business purposes. The major Airports in Hong Kong that are presently in operation are Hong Kong International Airport located in Chek Lap Kok and Shek Kong Airfield located in Shek Kong. The three former Hong Kong Airports are Kai Tak Airport, Sha Tin Airfield and RAF Kai Tak. In the present there are three heliports at Sheung Wan, Chek Lap Kok and Kowloon Station. Airports in Hong Kong form an integral part of Asia Airports.
Among the Airports in Hong Kong, Hong Kong International Airport is the major one. Locally, it is called Chek Lap Kok Airport as it was constructed on the island of Chek Lap Kok through the process of land reclamation. In the year 1998, this airport was opened for commercial functioning. This airport also serves as the gateway for many destinations in East Asia, China and Southeast Asia. Despite being in operations for only a few years, this airports has won a number of prestigious awards and honors. From the aspect of cargo movement and passenger traffic, HKIA is one of the busiest international airport in the entire world. For instance, in the year 2006, HKIA managed 3.6 million tonnes of cargo and 44 million passengers. This airport acts as the major hub for airlines such as Dragonair, Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines, Hong Kong Express, Air Hong Kong and Oasis Hong Kong Airlines.
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Operated by the Airport Authority, the airport has an elevation of 28ft/ 9m. It also boasts of the largest terminal building in the world, the terminal 1. Some of the international airlines that operate via HKIA are Bangkok Airways, East Star Airlines, Emirates Airlines, Jetstar Asia Airways, Philippine Airlines, South African Airways, Siem Reap Airways, Uni Air and Thai Airways International. The new SkyPlaza is located within the terminal 2 of the airport. The Hong Kong Business Aviation Centre (BAC) is situated within the premises of the airport. It provides a host of facilities and services to executive and business class passengers. Undoubtedly, it is the premier one among the Airports in Hong Kong.
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