Overview
- The airport operated for roughly 73 years and closed on July 6, 1998, drawing crowds to watch the final departure.
- Its notorious Runway 13 approach required a manual 47‑degree right turn at low altitude, and airlines mandated special pilot training.
- Noise, lack of expansion room, and a night curfew led authorities to replace Kai Tak with a new airport at Chek Lap Kok off Lantau.
- The former runway now hosts the Kai Tak Cruise Terminal, credited to the architect behind London’s Gherkin, alongside new parks and housing.
- The district also features the $4 billion Kai Tak Sports Park, opened in March 2025 with a 50,000‑seat stadium, indoor arena, and a promenade along the old runway.