Hong Kong needs third runway – IATA
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) called on the authorities in Hong Kong to move forward with plans for a third runway at Hong Kong International Airport.
“Hong Kong outperforms its population size on the world stage because of its connectivity. That drives the economy and creates jobs. To protect the airport’s competitiveness, sufficient capacity is needed to support growth. The $900 million midfield terminal project will provide the passenger handling capability. But the current two runways are near saturation. I am here to make a strong plea to move forward with a third runway,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s Director General and CEO in an address to the Aerospace Forum Asia in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong International Airport was planned in 1992 to handle 87 million passengers and 9 million tonnes of cargo. Growth has been faster than anyone could have predicted. At the same time, the 60 movement per hour cap on aircraft movements limits capacity to much less than this. Even raising runway movements to 68 per hour as proposed by the Civil Aviation Department, capacity will only be 55 million passengers. In 2010, the airport handled 51 million passengers so it is already operating at about 90% of capacity. In April, public consultations on the Airport Master Plan 2030 will open with a third runway being a big consideration.
“The phenomenal growth of air transport in Hong Kong has outpaced all projections taken in the early 90’s. If Hong Kong wants to continue to gain the economic benefits of a growing aviation industry a third runway will be needed. You may disagree if it will be needed in 2015 or 2020, or some other date. But it will be needed and the time to start planning is now,” said Bisignani.
Bisignani noted that aviation employs 250,000 people and supports 8% of Hong Kong’s GDP. Moreover, Hong Kong is home to 1,300 regional offices employing 140,000 people who are dependant on efficient air links.
Bisignani also commented on air traffic management in the Pearl River Delta region.
“The Pearl River Delta ranks among the top three global Air Traffic Control problems that need to be fixed
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