Collection: Old Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport

Hong Kong's Kai Tak International Airport: A Bygone Era

Hong Kong's Kai Tak International Airport, located in the Kowloon District, operated for 73 years, from January 25, 1925, until its closure at approximately 1:20 AM on July 6, 1998. On the same day, at 6:27 AM, Chek Lap Kok Airport (now Hong Kong International Airport) officially opened and took over its operations.

During its active years, Kai Tak was one of the busiest international airports globally, ranking third in passenger volume and first in cargo volume. It was famously challenging for pilots due to being surrounded by high-density buildings and having narrow airspace, leading to its reputation as one of the "World's Top Ten Dangerous Airports." Considering safety and increasing demand, the Hong Kong government announced in 1989 the decision to build a new airport at Chek Lap Kok, located northwest of Lantau Island.