Airport Opens Fast-Track Green Corridor for Perishable Cargo
New sustainable logistics lane reduces carbon emissions while accelerating pharmaceutical and fresh produce supply chains across Asia-Pacific region
HONG KONG – October 15, 2025 – Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) today officially opened its dedicated Air-Land Green Corridor, a pioneering fast-track system that enables temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, and seafood to reach the Greater Bay Area within three hours of landing—representing a 60% reduction in traditional delivery times.
The initiative, developed in partnership with Hong Kong Customs and the Airport Authority, establishes Asia’s first fully integrated, environmentally sustainable perishables corridor, directly addressing the region’s $133.97 billion cold chain logistics market projected by 2027. The corridor leverages the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to create seamless air-to-land transfers, eliminating conventional border delays that have historically compromised cargo integrity.
Operational efficiency was a key focus from the outset. Asia Airfreight Terminal (AAT), HKIA’s primary cold chain operator, introduced a fully automated handling system for palletised cargo, secured direct airside access, and implemented dedicated truck docks with prioritised handling procedures to significantly reduce transfer times . The facility’s green design reflects long-term sustainability goals, utilizing non-ozone-depleting refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP), double doors, air curtains, speed doors, and thermal insulation panels to minimise heat loss and save energy.
“The Air-Land Green Corridor represents a fundamental shift in how we handle time-critical, temperature-sensitive cargo,” said Mike Chew, CEO of Asia Airfreight Terminal. “Through collaboration with technology partners, regulators, and airlines, we transformed traditional logistical challenges into competitive advantages. Our COOLPORT facility maintains end-to-end temperature control from air-conditioned truck docks through breakdown, weighing, X-ray screening, and palletising—ensuring shipments are never exposed to Hong Kong’s humid climate.”
The corridor addresses critical market demands driven by evolving consumer expectations and pharmaceutical innovation. The global perishable goods transportation market reached $13.4 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a 9.66% compound annual growth rate through 2033, fueled by expanding e-commerce grocery sales that hit $11.2 billion in August 2025 alone. Cross-border e-commerce from China is expected to reach $230 billion by 2026, with perishable commodities representing the fastest-growing segment.
HKIA’s facility includes 15,000 square meters of temperature-controlled space, including an ultra-deep freeze chamber capable of maintaining -28°C for specialized pharmaceutical requirements. The corridor has achieved multiple international certifications: CEIV Pharma, GDP Pharma, CEIV Fresh, ISO 22000:2018, and HACCP, reflecting compliance with the highest safety and quality standards. Automated guided vehicles and AI-driven warehouse management systems achieve 99.5% scheduling accuracy while reducing manual handling errors.
Sustainability metrics demonstrate measurable environmental impact. The green corridor’s design cuts CO2 emissions by 10,000 tonnes annually compared to traditional multi-facility operations by eliminating 50,000 miles of redundant road transport. Solar panels generate 3,600 megawatt-hours of clean energy per year, while electric vehicle charging stations and geothermal storage systems support the airport’s net-zero carbon ambition by 2030. Real-time IoT monitoring across all touchpoints provides continuous temperature visibility, reducing spoilage rates by an estimated 40%.
The initiative strengthens Hong Kong’s position as the world’s busiest cargo airport, reinforcing its role as the preferred gateway for high-growth sectors including biotech, vaccines, and premium food logistics. By seamlessly integrating HKIA’s global air cargo network with the Greater Bay Area’s $1.7 trillion economy, the corridor creates a bidirectional trade lane that serves 86 million consumers. Fresh seafood from New Zealand, Japanese wagyu beef, and European pharmaceuticals can now reach mainland distributors before traditional shipments clear customs.
About Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong International Airport has been ranked the world’s busiest cargo airport 14 times since 2010 and was the first airport worldwide to achieve full IATA CEIV Fresh certification for special cargo handling. The airport operates Asia’s largest fleet of refrigerated trailers and offers 45,000 square meters of dedicated cold storage capacity across its cargo terminals. HKIA’s $9 billion infrastructure investment program includes the Vertically Integrated Cargo Community, a four-storey sustainable facility designed to increase cargo capacity by 50% while achieving LEED Silver certification.
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Sarha Al-Mansoori
Director of Corporate Communications
G42
Email: media@g42.ai
Phone: +971 2555 0100
Website: www.g42.ai
