This conference and expo, focused on passenger and cargo terminal design, construction, and operations, showcased innovations in airport technology, sustainability, and advanced design. Photo Credit: Informa
Despite a gradual recovery in passenger numbers, global exhibitions giant Informa Markets held its inaugural Super Terminal Expo (STE) over three days in Hong Kong.
This conference and expo, focused on passenger and cargo terminal design, construction, and operations, showcased innovations in airport technology, sustainability, and advanced design as the industry races into the era of the super-facility.
The three-day expo, which took place from 5-7 November 2025, was held at AsiaWorld-Expo (AWE), which Informa Markets EVP commercial development Michael Duck sees as the ideal location for what could become the region’s premier terminal trade event.
“There are very few regional locations that have the perfect mix of airport and exhibition venue like Hong Kong,” said Duck. “Airports are built with the ‘market to come’ in mind – 10 years, 20 years – similar to exhibitions. All our mega-shows, such as Cosmoprof Asia, started life like STE, as a confex or small show. If the demand is there it will grow and grow, or splinter into separate product verticals.” AWE's location, size, nearby hotels, facilities and transport links added to its appeal.
“The airport cannot be any closer, and Hong Kong’s regionality within APAC and the Greater Bay Area is hard to beat anywhere. I have no doubt that passengers will exceed 2018 levels very soon,” Duck added.
STE’s 100 participating exhibitors included engineering giants AECOM and Arup; security systems operators Aviation Security Company Limited (AVSECO) and security hardware provider Nutech; state-owned aerospace manufacturer COMAC; technology solutions providers Harmony Tech Innovation, Lenovo PCCW Solutions and Huawei; service provider Uber for Business; interiors specialists Pat Davie, and approximately 60 airports.
The event also features 80 content sessions and seminars that focused passenger and cargo trends, sustainability, decarbonisation, and fuel alternatives, aircraft sales projections, hub strategies, streamlining and optimising baggage towing. Visiting participants came from Japan, South Korea, India, Pakistan, China, Singapore and the US.
HKIA also demonstrates many of the elements and industry best practices STE pivoted on, among them the ongoing roll-out of digitisation initiatives that improve passenger experience and speed, active carbon reduction and fostering an inclusive working environment for enhanced sustainability, and a new paperless cargo data platform to maximise transparency and efficiency. In 2023 HKIA was the world’s busiest air cargo hub.
Expo unfolds amid airport’s expansion push
STE unfolded just weeks ahead of the commissioning of Hong Kong International Airport’s Three-runway system – 3RS – scheduled to commence operations on 28 November and poised to significantly expand airport capacity. HKIA currently serves 200 destinations and there are active plans to expand the aviation network and include greater reach in ASEAN and the Middle-East, according to acting financial secretary for HKSAR Government Michael Wong Wai-lun.
Additionally, Skycity began opening in phases in anticipation of the 3RS, incorporating an Atelier K11 office complex, the 11 Skies shopping centre, and pedestrian links to hotels and the expanding HKIA Terminal 2.
“Once it’s open Hong Kong International Airport be able to handle 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo annually. For context, last year we handled 45 million passengers and 4.5 million tonnes of cargo,” Wong told delegates in the opening address. “It will make Hong Kong an even stronger aviation hub.”