The Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD) has been crowned the winner of the 2025 Skytrax Award for Best Airport Immigration Service, marking the fifth time the department has received this prestigious honor since 2015. The recognition comes from Skytrax's annual World Passenger Survey, the aviation industry's most comprehensive customer satisfaction evaluation.
ImmD Director Benson Kwok accepted the award at a ceremony in Madrid today, calling it "a tremendous honor that reflects our officers' unwavering commitment to service excellence." The survey, conducted from August 2024 to February 2025, collected over 13 million evaluations from travelers of more than 100 nationalities across 600 airports worldwide.
"This repeated recognition from international travelers motivates us to further enhance our services through technological innovation and process optimization," Kwok stated. "We remain dedicated to maintaining Hong Kong's position as a world-class aviation hub while supporting the city's overall development."
During his European visit, Director Kwok strengthened international cooperation through high-level meetings. At the Chinese Embassy in Spain, he thanked Chargé d'Affaires Qu Xun for consular support to Hong Kong residents. His discussions with Spanish Interior Ministry officials, including Director-General for International Relations Elena Garzón Otamendi, focused on shared challenges in border management and the application of smart technologies in immigration control.
The ImmD has consistently ranked among the world's top immigration services, with its signature combination of efficiency and hospitality. The department processes over 70 million passengers annually at Hong Kong International Airport, maintaining an average clearance time of under 15 seconds for Hong Kong residents and 45 seconds for visitors.
Skytrax CEO Edward Plaisted noted: "Hong Kong's immigration service continues to set the global benchmark, particularly in balancing security with passenger experience. Their five wins in this category demonstrate remarkable consistency in service delivery."
The department plans to introduce additional smart clearance channels and automated border control systems later this year, building on its existing biometric systems that currently serve 95% of eligible travelers.
Related News:
Govt to raise airport departure tax to HK$200 in October, exemption proposed for transit passengers
Direct daily flights between HK and Dalian to launch this Sunday with fares starting at RMB 900
Comment