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COMMUNICATIONS
shops, bars, a restaurant and a spacious observation platform offering a clear view of arriving and departing aircraft. Immediately in front of the terminal building is a parking apron for 11 large aircraft. Work has been started on an extension to the apron which will bring the total number of parking bays to 16. The apron hydrant refuelling system is controlled from a centralized fuel farm. Work on an extension to the freight building was started in January 1965, and was completed during the year. The additional storage space created will greatly facilitate the handling of air freight which is increasing significantly year by year.
The Director of Civil Aviation supervises all aspects of civil aviation in the Colony and co-ordinates plans for its development. Full operational services are provided, including air traffic control, telecommunications, air sea rescue, airport fire service, aeronautical information service, aircraft registration and certification of air- worthiness, personnel licensing and, in conjunction with the Royal Observatory, an aeronautical meteorological service.
Although opportunities for private flying are somewhat limited, two flying clubs have good memberships. The Hong Kong Flying Club uses a Beechcraft Musketeer aircraft and the Aero Club of Hong Kong has an Auster Aiglet, a Cessna 172E and a Stinson L5. The Far East Flying Training School, established in 1934, offers full- time courses of training in aeronautical engineering and electronics. The Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company Limited provides maintenance, overhaul and repair facilities at the airport for a wide range of aircraft, including the latest jet airliners. Their two hangars can accommodate the largest, aircraft likely to operate into Hong Kong within the next decade.
The Colony's own airline, Cathay Pacific Airways, offers services to India, Japan, Malaysia, Sabah, Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Korea, using Convair 880 and Lockheed Electra aircraft. Some 180 scheduled services arrive each week at Hong Kong Airport, operated by 20 international airlines, in addition to numerous charter and non- scheduled flights. On average some 2,500 passengers pass through the airport every day.
The volume of air traffic continued to increase during the year and passenger, freight and mail figures showed increases of 14.2 per cent, 38.5 per cent and 12.4 per cent respectively over the preceding year.