AIR TRANSPORT AND HONG KONG
The paradox in the relationship between Hong Kong and its air transport system must be evident to Government leadership the Consultants quickly discerned it. That Hong Kong has become highly dependent on air commerce cannot be denied. The dominance of Hong Kong, and the continued improvement in the quality of life for its citizens, is due in some degree to the excellent air service availability. However, air services are so intimately tied to tourism that growth of one demands growth of the other, and many cannot accept tourism as a valuable contributor to Hong Kong life. The paradox is that the enrichment of life for Hong Kong citizenry is dependent in part on a sector that may be proceeding away from that goal.
It was apparent from the outset of the study that a total view of Hong Kong was necessary. Internal and external factors needed to be studied; merely to project the demands and to investigate the methods of accommodating them would not suffice. Economic, environmental, and social benefits or penalties were therefore studied, as were those items related solely to the safety and efficiency of the air transport system. The study therefore embraced a wide range of disciplines.
The CAD initially identified several independent investigations that would not only assess the demand for air services, but would evaluate the necessity for meeting that demand. The course of study expanded these tasks and produced the following contributions:
(1)
(2)
Forecasts of demand for passenger and cargo services. Validation of the forecasts; comparisons with studies made for other regional points, with more mature air centers; various reasonableness tests, such as the likelihood of supply of tourism facilities in sufficient quantity to meet demand.
(3) Forecasts of technology in air vehicles; investigation of probable fleets serving the Hong Kong demand; assessment of the impact of air vehicle supply on the demand, both to determine probable operational volumes and to assess future reductions in facility requirements.
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