Airport Authority Hong Kong strengthens Greater Bay Area connectivity with smart parking services

The Authority has embodied technology and policy innovation with its Park & Fly and Park & Visit services.

As travel across the Greater Bay Area (GBA) continues to grow, connectivity between cities and major transport hubs has become increasingly important. This growth served as an opportunity for Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to find new ways to make Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) more accessible to the region’s growing population of travellers.

Serving a region of more than 86 million people, HKIA has introduced Park & Fly and Park & Visit services, which have simplified airport access for travellers driving from the GBA. With Park & Fly service, eligible travellers can drive directly to HKIA, park their vehicles, and continue their journeys without going through Hong Kong immigration. Park & Fly is designed for GBA travellers connecting to flights departing from HKIA without the need to enter Hong Kong, whilst Park & Visit extends the same self-drive parking experience to leisure and business travellers entering Hong Kong.

According to Horace Chan, General Manager, Landside, AAHK, the services provide greater convenience for self-driving passengers and, at the same time, strengthen HKIA’s role as a gateway to the wider GBA.

Making cross-boundary travel more accessible

One of the key challenges in improving connectivity to HKIA was ensuring that the service could reach a broad segment of GBA motorists.

Previously, access to HKIA was limited for GBA vehicle owners without dual-plate registration or a Hong Kong driving licence. This excluded a significant number of potential travellers who could otherwise benefit from a direct-drive option.

To address these regulatory barriers, AAHK worked closely with authorities in Guangdong, Macao, and Hong Kong and came up with a policy breakthrough that exempted registered users from these requirements.

For AAHK, this policy innovation was just as important as the technology behind the services. By removing regulatory obstacles and introducing automated facilities, the airport could offer a more practical cross-boundary travel experience. “By pairing technological innovation and policy innovation, we address real stakeholders’ needs,” Chan said.

The approach also reflects a broader shift in how airports can use technology. It serves as a trailblazer that fosters not only the automation of individual processes but the solution to practical challenges faced by cross-border travellers.

Building an automated airport parking experience

Behind the convenience of Park & Fly and Park & Visit services is a complex digital and operational infrastructure. The services represent Hong Kong’s first fully automated parking facilities, with 1,800 parking spaces supported by end-to-end digital processes. But building and integrating these systems presented AAHK with both operational and regulatory challenges.

On the technology side, AAHK had to ensure that multiple processes could work together seamlessly, from online booking and licence plate recognition to parking operations and self-service payment. Moreover, the facilities had to maintain reliable 24-hour, seven-day operations, including during peak travel periods.

At the same time, the project required coordination in different jurisdictions, with regulatory and policy considerations spanning the Chinese Mainland, Macao, and Hong Kong.

To overcome these obstacles, AAHK worked with relevant authorities and stakeholders and aligned these requirements whilst developing the technology and operational processes needed to support the services. AAHK came up with a system that provides a smooth experience from the moment travellers make their booking to when they arrive at the airport.

The project stands as a testament to how digital transformation can extend beyond individual technologies. For AAHK, the value lies in bringing systems, infrastructure, policies, and stakeholders together to solve a real transportation challenge.

The Authority’s approach was recognised at Hong Kong Business Technology Excellence Awards 2026 with the Smart Technology - Aviation award, which Chan said validates AAHK’s digital transformation strategy and commitment to innovation.

“Our services are not just about automation. It demonstrates how we ensure seamless cross-boundary mobility and strengthen connectivity within the Greater Bay Area,” Chan said.

“This award encourages us to continue pushing boundaries, and we affirm HKIA's commitment to technology development and aviation leadership. Park and Fly, connecting the GBA, one journey at a time,” he added.

As the region becomes increasingly connected, AAHK continues to work towards removing barriers between travellers and their destinations through technology and innovation.