Hong Kong's government has approved a third runway for the city’s international airport.
Expected to open by 2023, it will help the island maintain its status as the world’s busiest air cargo hub and help Hong Kong maintain its position against other Asian rivals in China and Singapore.
The HK$141.5bn (US$18.2bn) scheme will be funded from internal funds, borrowings and user fees, including a HK$180 (US$23.20) additional passenger fee.
The new runway would be to the north of the airport and will be for landings only. It is expected to boost the airports capacity from 68 flights an hour to 102.
The news was welcomed by local carriers. Cathay Pacific chief executive Ivan Chu said his airline “reiterated its unequivocal support for the development of a third runway which it believes is necessary to maintain the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong as a premier aviation hub".
Chu said the announcement was “a remarkable milestone" in the third runway project and welcomed the endorsement by the Executive Council.
He added: "Building third runway is the only viable way for our airport to keep pace with future growth and to continue to support Hong Kong’s pillar industries in tourism, international trade, logistics, and finance and professional services.”
Joe Ng, vice chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives in Hong Kong, which represents 76 airlines, said he believed the third runway would “strengthen Hong Kong’s status as one of Asia’s premier aviation hubs.”
He added: “Aviation is an industry that contributes some eight per cent to Hong Kong’s GDP and accounts for eight per cent of employment in the city; the third runway is urgently needed to maintain the airport’s competitive strength and to ensure continued growth for the benefit of Hong Kong.”
Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/hong-kong-will-be-a-three-runway-airport-by-2023.html
Expected to open by 2023, it will help the island maintain its status as the world’s busiest air cargo hub and help Hong Kong maintain its position against other Asian rivals in China and Singapore.
The HK$141.5bn (US$18.2bn) scheme will be funded from internal funds, borrowings and user fees, including a HK$180 (US$23.20) additional passenger fee.
The new runway would be to the north of the airport and will be for landings only. It is expected to boost the airports capacity from 68 flights an hour to 102.
The news was welcomed by local carriers. Cathay Pacific chief executive Ivan Chu said his airline “reiterated its unequivocal support for the development of a third runway which it believes is necessary to maintain the long-term competitiveness of Hong Kong as a premier aviation hub".
Chu said the announcement was “a remarkable milestone" in the third runway project and welcomed the endorsement by the Executive Council.
He added: "Building third runway is the only viable way for our airport to keep pace with future growth and to continue to support Hong Kong’s pillar industries in tourism, international trade, logistics, and finance and professional services.”
Joe Ng, vice chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives in Hong Kong, which represents 76 airlines, said he believed the third runway would “strengthen Hong Kong’s status as one of Asia’s premier aviation hubs.”
He added: “Aviation is an industry that contributes some eight per cent to Hong Kong’s GDP and accounts for eight per cent of employment in the city; the third runway is urgently needed to maintain the airport’s competitive strength and to ensure continued growth for the benefit of Hong Kong.”
Source : http://www.aircargonews.net/news/single-view/news/hong-kong-will-be-a-three-runway-airport-by-2023.html
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