ACI supports third runway at Hong Kong International Airport

Airports Council International (ACI) supports Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) to build a third runway in Hong Kong to cope with the tremendous traffic growth in the region.

ACI supports the building of the third runway at the HKIA. According to ACI Traffic Forecast for 2009 – 2029, global passenger traffic will reach 11 billion in 2029 and passenger traffic will grow by 4.1% per annum over the next 20 years. Total passenger traffic in Asia and Pacific region is expected to nearly quadruple from 1.2 billion passengers in 2009 to over 4 billion in 2029. Asia and Pacific region will generate nearly 50% of all new global passenger demand over the next 20 years. The expected traffic growth will pose a direct challenge to the airports in the region.

Mrs. Patti Chau, ACI Asia-Pacific Regional Director said, “It is crucial that airports in the region act promptly in response to the expected increase in traffic demand. The airports need to review its development plan with its local authorities and stakeholders to ensure there is enough capacity in its facilities to meet future demands.”

Airport development requires long lead time and in dealing with the capacity issues, authorities will need a vision and a long-term view.

“If you look back to 1990 when Hong Kong was planning for a new airport, it was forecasted by 2010 HKIA will handle 45 million passengers but in reality HKIA handled 50 million passengers in 2010. It is therefore important for authorities to have a long-term view in mapping out airport development projects,” Mrs. Chau continued.

Commenting on the recommendation for a three-runway system made by the Board of Airport Authority Hong Kong to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government, Mrs. Chau concluded, “An airport is vital to the local economy that it serves. To set out a future airport development plan is therefore critical for Hong Kong. Hence, we are pleased to see the strong and favorable community support to build a third runway at HKIA according to the research conducted by the Social Sciences Research Centre of the University of Hong Kong.”