Airport Authority launches exhibition to update progress on the EIA of the planned three-runway system

The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) today launched a four-day exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre to update the public on progress with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the planned three-runway system at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

“The EIA process has reached an advanced stage. Although the findings and mitigation measures are yet to be finalised, we deem it timely to provide an update and engage the public on the latest developments,” said John Chai Sung-veng, Executive Director, Projects, AA.

Mr Chai said AA hopes that the public will support this important project, which will make a significant contribution to the future of Hong Kong.

Stanley Hui Hon-chung, Chief Executive Officer of AA, said, “We need to implement the project as quickly as we can as air traffic continues to grow at a rapid pace. The latest forecasts show that by the year 2030 the traffic demand will reach 102.3 million passenger trips, 8.9 million tonnes of cargo and 607,000 aircraft movements a year. This not only far exceeds the capacity of the existing two-runway system but also means that the need to expand HKIA into a three-runway system is becoming ever more pressing.”

In 2012, the airport handled 56.5 million passengers, 4.03 million tonnes of cargo and 352,000 landings and take-offs. HKIA is the busiest cargo gateway worldwide and one of the busiest passenger airports in the world.

Mr Chai said, “It is important that AA secures the necessary environmental permit to build the three-runway system on time. As always, we are dedicated to carrying out environmental impact assessment for the purpose of expanding the airport into a three-runway system in a highly prudent, transparent and professional manner. HKIA and the aviation industry is an important part of the Hong Kong economy.”

The informative exhibition is organised to provide an update on the latest developments in the expansion project, to introduce the scope and methodologies of the environmental impact assessment, as well as outlining some preliminary findings related to the 12 environmental aspects set out in the EIA study brief. The display also highlights the medium-term development plans for HKIA, and details the measures taken to turn HKIA into the world’s greenest airport.

In addition to the exhibition, there will be two open forums on 3 and 4 August for the public and EIA consultants to exchange views on the environmental impact assessment process. Members of the public who were successful in registering for the forum have already been notified.

Mr Chai said, “We have been working closely with our team of international and local experts to study carefully the potential impact of the development to the 12 environmental aspects specified in the Study Brief. The experts will join us in the public forum to provide updates of the EIA study in the five aspects that draw most public attention, namely the Chinese White Dolphins, marine ecology and fisheries, noise, air quality and health impact assessments.

“We sincerely hope that the exhibition and forums, together with our other ongoing stakeholder engagement activities, will allow us to gauge the views of the wider community and give them an insight into the current status of the EIA process.”

The AA also provides all the latest information on its dedicated project website www.threerunwaysystem.com covering the progress of the EIA, videos from the exhibition and the most recent issue of the “3RS Bulletin” newsletter. Members of the public can also submit their opinions about HKIA’s future development via the website.

To offset the carbon generated by this event, we have worked with Carboncare Asia to support the afforestation and reforestation projects on degraded lands in Northwest Sichuan.