It was announced on January 13 that the new airport would open on July 6. The date was chosen as the government considered it important to have the commissioning of the new airport and AR in tandem to ensure that the airport would be supported by efficient land transport links on day one.

The lead-up to full operation of the new airport involved intensive planning by the AA, its contractors, service providers, airlines, commercial tenants and government departments. This major team effort was co-ordinated by the AA within the framework of an integrated programme which aimed to achieve a smooth transition from construction, testing and commissioning of facilities and systems to full airport operation. Within this overall programme, the Airport Operational Readiness (AOR) Programme identified and monitored the progress of those activities critical to airport opening, such as staff recruitment and training, the development of operational policies and procedures, and airport user charges.

          The AOR Programme also encompassed five airport trials during January to June, including a full-scale 'dress rehearsal' trial held on June 14 involving some 12 000 volunteers plus AA staff, 35 airlines, new airport business communities and government departments concerned. The feedback gathered during these airport trials enabled the AA to continue fine-tuning in preparation for airport operations.

The mobilisation and relocation of plant, equipment and personnel from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok were carried out over a 60-day period before the airport opened on July 6. The relocation exercise was conducted in five phases starting from May 6 with the critical Night Move phase held from 5.30 p.m. on Sunday, July 5, to 6.30 a.m. on Monday, July 6.

          The Night Move involved 808 vehicle movements, eight barge trips and the relocation of 29 aircraft carrying a wide range of items belonging to government departments and private firms from Kai Tak to Chek Lap Kok in a matter of 13 hours. During this critical window, operations at Kai Tak ceased after the last passenger flight departed at 0.02 a.m. on July 6. By dawn, the Night Move had been completed smoothly. The first incoming flight landed at the new airport at 6:27 a.m. and the first outgoing flight left shortly after 7 a.m. on July 6. The final phase of the relocation exercise, from July 6 to August 5, involved the moving of items that were not essential for 'Day One' operations at the new airport. The relocation proceeded in line with a Mobilisation and Move Plan developed by the AA in consultation with NAPCO, the Civil Aviation Department and other key agencies, including the Police, Transport Department, Marine Department, Highways Department and Hong Kong Observatory, and the AA's many business partners.

The new airport, which cost an estimated $70.3 billion (excluding the second runway) in money-of-the-day values, began operations on July 6 and is able to handle 35 million passengers and three million tonnes of cargo a year. Its facilities will be expanded and it is forecast to be able to handle up to 87 million passengers and nine million tonnes of cargo each year.