15. The Hong Kong Government maintain, however, that the
advantages of lengthening the runway are marginal in any
consideration of Hong Kong's own narrow interest. They maintain
that the new generation of aircraft could use Hong Kong as it is,
subject to weight penalties in certain conditions and on certain
longer routes. They accept that these restrictions, together
with the reduced safety factor for such aircraft, would tend to
make Kai Tak less attractive to long range aircraft. But whereas
the Board of Trade consider that these factors would seriously
reduce trunk route operations through Hong Kong, the Hong Kong
Government takes the view that the actual effect on traffic cannot
be forecast. They anticipate that tourist traffic would be little
affected although there would probably be some reduction; most
tourists visit Hong Kong in the course of Far East tours, and
Hong Kong is probably sufficient enough attraction in itself to
ensure that they will continue to visit the Colony on regional routes
using older types of aircraft. So far as freight is concerned,
they believe that so long as air cargo is offering the aircraft
will appear to transport it. The Colony's greater reliance on
regional services would work to the advantage of the British airline
based on Hong Kong (Cathay Pacific Airways).
Possibilities of U.K. Assistance
16. The departments concerned (the Foreign and Commonwealth Office,
Board of Trade, Treasury and Ministry of Overseas Development) have
examined the following possibilities:-
(i) Use of funds already provided
ii) Aid programme
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