HKIA's Third Runway - The Key for Enhancing Hong Kongs Aviation Position Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) has been gaining excellent reputation from the aviation industry and travellers worldwide since its early days of operation. In recent years, Hong Kongs air transport industry benefited directly from the rapid growth of the Asia-Pacific and Chinese markets. Despite such strong growth, Hong Kong has encountered fierce competition from its regional neighbours and even within the same catchment area (the Pearl River Delta Region, PRD). Airspace and ground congestions have become more serious over time. To cope with the increasing air traffic demand and competition, the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has published a report on HKIA 2025 in December 2006: a master plan outlining the airport potential plan to meet the future demand. The AAHK has suggested constructing a third parallel runway with around 1km separation from the current north runway. However, mixed views have been received from both the industry and the public about the proposal. HKIA 2025 also proposed a HK$ 4.5 billion investment programme which would include an injection of HK$1.5 billion to enhance the Passenger Terminal Building. The remainder would be invested in the airfield including the construction of a new satellite concourse for smaller aircraft. The AAHK will work with the Civil Aviation Department to maximize the capacity of the existing two runways, assess the feasibility of the third runway and support the co-ordinated development within the PRD airports network system. |
According to The Basic Law (Chapter 5 Economy, Section 4 Civil Aviation, Article 128), it has clearly stated that The Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall provide conditions and take measures for maintenance of the status of Hong Kong as the centre of international and regional aviation [HKSAR, 2007]. Thus, HKIA and the HKSAR Government must address capacity constraints both on the ground and in the air in the short term and long term, in order to sustain Hong Kongs position as an international aviation hub. The current capacity of the two runways is around 54 movements per hour, which is still below the ultimate capacity estimated by the government [HKSAR, 2007]. The third runway will be costly and require another major landfill at HKIA. Given the curent atmosphere in Hong Kong, costing and environmental issues will likely be under much public scrutiny and the process will be lengthy. Some industry experts also suggested that building the third runway would be pointless, unless the PRD airspace issue have been resolved.
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