Airport Authority Hong Kong welcomes Chief Executive’s Policy Address

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AA) welcomed today’s 2014 Policy Address by the Chief Executive, who highlighted the urgency to expand the handling capacity of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

The AA said it shares the Government’s belief that there is an urgent need to add a new runway by 2023 in order to maintain Hong Kong’s competitiveness and its position as an aviation hub. Dr Marvin Cheung Kin-tung, Chairman of the AA, said, “In 2013, HKIA broke records with nearly 60 million passengers and 372,000 flight movements. Cargo throughput also saw healthy growth, exceeding 4.1 million tonnes. These traffic volumes are growing at faster-than-expected rates and reflect the increasingly pressing need to expand the airport into a three-runway system.”

The AA said it plans to submit the Environmental Impact Assessment report for the three-runway system to the Environmental Protection Department in the first quarter of this year.

Dr Cheung added that the AA also welcomes the Government’s plan to consider setting up a civil aviation training institute to develop human capital for both the local and regional aviation industries. “Demand for aviation services is forecast to continue experiencing healthy growth in the long term,” said Dr Cheung. “It is estimated that by 2030, HKIA will provide more than 140,000 direct jobs, which is a big jump from the current 65,000. The Government’s plan to secure the aviation industry’s future human resources needs is visionary.”

Dr Cheung also commented on the plans announced in the Policy Address to further develop Lantau Island. “We certainly welcome such initiatives, because they will turn Lantau Island into an even more attractive tourist destination and a mega transport hub, unlocking a host of economic development potential in the process,” he said. “To capture these growth opportunities, we are moving at full speed ahead to implement the first phase of development at the North Commercial District, which includes a hotel with more than 1,000 rooms.” Dr Cheung added that the AA will invite expressions of interest in the new hotel development shortly.