After more than three years, Hong Kong is set to restore the in-town airport check-in services in the city's heart again, signaling a resumption of the once-convenient system for travelers. According to insiders, check-in counters at Hong Kong Station will resume operations on July 5, where passengers can drop off their luggage downtown throughout the day of their flight and collect it at their final destination, easing their travel experience. A decision has yet to be made on check-in services at Kowloon and Tsing Yi stations. Insiders requested anonymity since the discussions are private, but they are certain that the restart of the in-town check-in services will take place soon.
With Covid-19 restrictions in Hong Kong's travel industry in full force over the past year, in-town check-in services were suspended, including the mandatory quarantine in designated facilities for international travelers. Although Hong Kong lifted its pandemic restrictions, the shortage of labor has prevented train operator MTR and the airport from resuming the in-town check-in service, until now. MTR, Airport Authority Hong Kong, and Cathay Pacific Airways are yet to respond to inquiries about the situation.
Hong Kong is among the world's few places that offer in-town check-in services, alongside Taipei and Kuala Lumpur. Its resumption will eliminate one of the last reminders of pandemic times, which significantly impacted the city's identity as a freewheeling, easy-to-navigate financial hub. However, the travel sector is still grappling with a significant reduction in visitor numbers, with Hong Kong's primary airline, Cathay, forecasting a rebound to pre-pandemic passenger capacity levels not until the end of 2022.
Express train services connecting Hong Kong Station to the airport remained in operation throughout the pandemic, despite reduced frequencies and served as a crucial link between the airport and the city center. However, the resumption of in-town check-in services will certainly ease the traveler's experience, starting July 5.