Hong Kong to reopen Cathay’s in-town airport check-in on Wednesday

HONG KONG – Cathay Pacific Airways' check-in desks in Hong Kong's central business district will reopen on Wednesday after a more than three-year shutdown sparked by Covid-19.

Cathay will be the sole airline offering in-town check-in services, and only from 6am to 3pm, Hong Kong train operator MTR said on Monday.

Airport check-in at Kowloon Station remains suspended. Prior to the pandemic, other airlines also had counters at the station and they were open for longer.

The service enables passengers to check in and drop off their luggage in central Hong Kong on the day of their flight, and the bags are then sent on to their final destination.

In-town check-in, offered in few places globally, underscored Hong Kong's reputation as a convenient and efficient world city.

Bloomberg News first reported about the resumption on june 26.

It was suspended in April 2020 as Hong Kong imposed curbs on international travel. Even though the last Covid-19 restrictions were abandoned months ago, a shortage of workers prevented MTR and the airport from restarting the bag-drop service.

Express-train services from Hong Kong Station to the airport run every 10 to 15 minutes. The journey takes 24 minutes and costs HK$110 (S$19) to HK$115 per adult.