Lunar New Year boom in new test for third runway

Cheng Wong

The airport's three-runway system is now fully operational and delivering immediate results.

On top of that, Airport Authority chairman Fred Lam Tin-fuk said, it has enabled additional flights during the upcoming Lunar New Year.

Lam said yesterday that the airport had previously faced capacity challenges during peak periods.

However, since the third runway became operational in November, flight frequencies have significantly increased.

During the Lunar New Year, 75 pairs of flights will connect with 13 cities in Japan daily, averaging one flight arriving or departing every 15 minutes.

Lam said the three-runway system has expanded capacity, which benefits economic development, enhances the airport's competitiveness and contributes to lower ticket prices due to the increase in flights.

He added that flight frequencies had returned to prepandemic levels by Christmas and anticipates a favorable increase in flights for the upcoming holiday.

Also, Lam expects the Airport City, also known as Skytopia, to emerge as a major travel destination, attracting layover visitors to Hong Kong.

The use of driverless vehicles in airport-restricted areas is well established, positioning Hong Kong as a global leader in this technology, with regions like Singapore looking to us for insights. Lam said that this long-planned project aims to transform the region into a travel hub, drawing more visitors and encouraging longer stays, ultimately boosting the local economy.

He also mentioned the potential of the Airport Bay Marina, which could become the city's largest yacht bay, offering over 500 berths and targeting affluent, yacht-friendly travelers from the Greater Bay Area and Asia.

Regarding the jet fresh market in the airport's blueprint, he said that it could surpass Japan's Tsukiji Outer Market.

The future fresh market in Hong Kong will not only feature exceptional seafood but also offer a variety of fresh fruits and meats.