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COMMUNICATIONS
1930's, and in 1936 a weekly mail and passenger service by Imperial Airways, between Hong Kong and Penang, connecting with the London-Singapore-Australia service, was inaugurated. Later that year services to Canton and Shanghai were introduced, and in 1937 Pan American Airways opened up the trans-Pacific route to Manila and San Francisco. The growth continued, and at the time of the outbreak of war in the Pacific which brought a temporary halt to civil air operations, five companies were operat- ing regular scheduled flights to and from the Colony.
After the war, civil air transport re-started at an increased tempo, and it soon became apparent that the advent of more modern types of aircraft had made existing facilities quite inade- quate. The generally mountainous terrain made a site for a new Airport difficult to find, and the decision was made to modernize and develop the existing Airport by very extensive reclamation. Work commenced on this project in 1956, and in a truly remark- able feat of engineering a promontory 7,800 ft. long and 800 ft. wide was reclaimed entirely from the waters of Kowloon Bay. To the south-east, a gap in the surrounding hills at Lei Yue Mun Pass makes possible direct approaches to the seaward end of the runway, and the extensive removal of hills, has provided a safe, gently curving approach from the north-west.
The new runway, 8,350 ft. long and stressed to take aircraft weighing up to 400,000 lbs, was opened in 1958. It is suitable for use by the most modern types of aircraft now flying or currently envisaged. An extensive landing area is available alongside the promontory for flying-boats. The latest navigational and approach aids have been installed, and an instrument landing system, surveillance radar, and precision approach radar contribute greatly to the safety and regularity of air services to the Colony. Modern airport and approach lighting have made safe night operations possible in spite of the surrounding hills.
The terminal apron area can accommodate eleven large aircraft, and has a hydrant refuelling system controlled from a centralized fuel farm. A converted freight building still serves as a temporary terminal, but construction of a new and modern terminal building, which is expected to come into use in July 1962, is now well advanced.