The authority managing Hong Kong International Airport has taken over the retail operations of 11 Skies from New World Development ahead of the opening of Terminal 2, the South China Morning Post has learned.
Multiple sources said the Airport Authority had assumed control of key components of the 2.66 million sq ft retail and dining space, representing 70 per cent of the entire project.
But it remains unclear whether the authority has also taken over the rest of 570,000 sq ft of experiential entertainment space and 570,000 sq ft of grade A offices.
The move marks a significantly reduced role for New World, which in 2018 won the rights to design, build and operate the HK$20 billion (US$2.5 billion) project.
During an SCMP reporter’s visit to 11 Skies on Wednesday, a five-minute walk from the AsiaWorld-Expo station on the Airport Express MTR line, only two restaurants were operating, including one coffee shop.
The restaurants served mainly staff working at offices upstairs.