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COMMUNICATIONS
CIVIL AVIATION
Hong Kong Kai Tak International Airport today is one of the major international airports in the world and forms an important link on the main air routes of the Far East. More than 250 scheduled services to all parts of the world are provided each week by 24 international airlines, in addition to many charter and non-scheduled flights, and some 1,229,235 passengers passed through the terminal building during the year. The importance of the airport to the Colony is high-lighted by the fact that tourism is now the Colony's second largest industry and more than 90 per cent of visitors travel by air.
The runway, 8,350 feet long, is suitable for use by the most modern types of aircraft. The latest navigational and approach aids have been installed and an instrument landing system, surveillance radar, precision approach radar and a pattern of radio beacons contribute greatly to the safety and regularity of air services. Modern airport and approach lighting provides for safe night operations in spite of the surrounding hills.
The terminal building was extended in 1964 to meet the require- ments of increasing air traffic. It operates on a 'two level' system. Arriving and departing passengers are dealt with on different floors. The building includes shops, bars, a restaurant and a spacious ob- servation platform. In front of the terminal an extensive apron provides parking, complete with hydrant refuelling, for 11 large aircraft. Work on an extension to the apron is now nearing com- pletion and will provide space for an additional five aircraft of up to the size of the Boeing 747.
The dramatic growth of air traffic requires further development of passenger and cargo terminal buildings, parking aprons and air traffic control and communications facilities. Also, the increased weight of aircraft requires an extension to the runway and planning continued in all these fields during the year.
Responsibility for the supervision of all aspects of civil aviation in the Colony rests with the Director of Civil Aviation. Full operational services are provided, including air traffic control, telecommunications, air sea rescue, airport fire service, aeronautical