Macau-Hong Kong airport buses eye overnight service amid rising demand

Macau-Hong Kong airport buses could soon operate longer hours and offer overnight services as operators study options to meet summer demand.

The Macau-Hong Kong Airport Direct bus service, which provides restricted-zone coach connections between Macau and Hong Kong International Airport, has increased its number of one-way regular departures from 18 to 22 per day since the beginning of this month, with service hours remaining unchanged from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

According to a report by public broadcaster TDM, the bus operator is exploring the possibility of extending its operating hours and launching overnight routes, driven by sustained passenger growth.

Annual ridership reached 245,000 last year, up nearly 23% from 2024, while international passenger numbers have been climbing steadily – totaling approximately 70,000 for the full year and already exceeding that figure in the first six months of this year. The operator cited the summer tourism peak as a key factor behind the proposal.

The airport bus operator said overnight routes were under consideration to serve early and late flights, but stressed that the move would depend on demand.

The company has unveiled a new luxury limousine service catering to high-end business and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) travelers, with the aim of offering a complete transport solution alongside its regular coach services. Acknowledging the competitive market landscape, the company said it would assess the summer season’s performance before deciding on possible ticket promotions.

Meanwhile, a tourism industry insider previously noted a growing trend among travel agencies to choose airports in neighboring cities as departure hubs, attributing the shift to the higher incidence of flight cancellations at Macau’s airport this year.