In the mid-1960s, Civil Aviation Department studies identified a probable shortfall in Hong Kong airport capacity during the 1980s. Between 1973-1975, a study of alternatives established the need for a replacement airport based on economic disbenefits of failure to meet the demand for air services. A site was selected (Chek Lap Kok), and a limited investigation concluded that the site could be developed for a new Hong Kong airport.
Government did not commit to the programme and required a more thorough investigation of its technical feasibility, implementation costs, and potential operational and/or environmental constraints.
A study was commissioned centered on an iterative consulta- tive process involving the CAD, consultants, government experts, and others to review alternative airport configu- rations and select a pilot airport concept to provide the needed data. (See broad Terms of Reference at Appendix A.)
The Consultants confirm the traffic forecasts and reaffirm the capability of the site to support a major airport. There are no impediments to safe and efficient air operations, but
expected new technology will be required to realize the full capability of the site. Civil engineering studies revealed nothing apparent to preclude an orderly construction programme, but a "test-fill" programme is urgently needed. Environmental effects are generally limited to overwater noise; other environmental effects appear to be insignificant.
A single-runway airport capable of considerably greater capacity than Kai Tak is proposed to be constructed at an accelerated pace. A second runway should follow immedi- ately, but there may be reasons to defer its construction.
Airport development costs for Phase I (single runway) are approximately HK $5.5 thousand million (mid-1979 dollars). The developed two-runway airport would cost the airport account just over HK $7.2 thousand million and would represent a total investment by the public and private sectors of about HK $9.6 thousand million.
In view of the expected shortfall in air traffic capacity, the Consultants recommend that Government proceed immedi- ately with further planning work for a new airport, specifically:
A "test-fill" programme, additional civil engi- neering investigations, and preliminary land reclamation design
Master Planning, including further financial and environmental studies
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