Ready to soar

Wallis Wang

Hong Kong International Airport's three-runway system will start operation on November 28, making the city a stronger aviation hub, says Deputy Financial Secretary Michael Wong Wai-lun.

The system is expected to increase the runway capacity by 50 percent - from the current 68 flights per hour to 102.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Super Terminal Expo at AsiaWorld-Expo yesterday, Wong said having a three-runway system was first proposed in 2011, adding it took 13 years and "the hard work of countless people" to turn the idea into reality.

"With the three-runway system, our beloved Hong Kong International Airport will eventually be able to handle 120 million passengers and 10 million tonnes of cargo every year," Wong said. He added that over the last fiscal year, with the existing runway system, the airport received 45 million passengers and handled 4.5 million tonnes of cargo.

"[The new system] will make Hong Kong an even stronger aviation hub and allow us to serve the region and beyond even better," Wong said.

He said the system will also provide aviation and logistics companies with a lot of business and profit opportunities.

Currently, the Hong Kong airport connects to nearly 200 destinations around the world and the government is working on the expansion of the aviation network by approaching countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative to establish new partnerships, he said.

Wong said the Airport Authority will also cooperate with Dongguan and build a logistics park there so that cargo in the Greater Bay Area can be more effectively transferred to Hong Kong using the city's aviation network.

The first batch of facilities in the park - which will be able to handle one million tonnes of cargo per year - is expected to be completed by late next year, he said.

The Airport Authority said the three-runway system is pending an aerodrome license from the government, which will cover the three runways and their supporting facilities.

"The authority targets to obtain the aerodrome license [this month], covering the operation of the existing South Runway and North Runway, the reconfigured Centre Runway, the associated taxiways and supporting facilities," it said.

The authority said it will also start gearing up with business partners with a view to commissioning the expanded Terminal 2 in phases from the end of next year.

"Preparatory work includes the on-site preparation for various passenger services and leasing of retail and service outlets, among others," the authority said.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said on Facebook that the launch of the three-runway system "marks a new milestone" in the airport's development as it will significantly enhance the airport's capacity and create more job positions.

The airport will improve services of its major routes while the government will work with the authority to further expand the city's aviation network, it said.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com