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TRANSPORT
of approximately 11 000 active seafarers on board some 850 ships of many flags. Considerable attention has been given to providing more comprehensive training for Hong Kong seafarers and, in this respect, the temporary seamen's training centre at Little Sai Wan provides additional in-service training to comply with the requirements of the International Convention on Training and Certification of Seafarers 1978 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation. Construction of permanent premises for the Seamen's Training Centre is expected to commence in 1986.
The Examination Centre conducts a wide range of examinations for candidates wishing to prove their competency in the operation of various sizes and types of vessels sailing world-wide or plying within local waters. In addition, the centre inspects, supervises, and monitors all aspects of training at approved establishments for the acquisition of various maritime qualifications recognised by the Hong Kong Government.
The Mariners' Clubs in Kowloon and Kwai Chung provide recreation and welfare facilities of a high standard to visiting seamen of all nationalities.
Civil Aviation
A steady growth in air travel was recorded during the year following the previous year's significant rise. Passenger traffic rose by 3.1 per cent, compared with 7.8 per cent in 1984.
A total of 9.8 million passengers passed through Hong Kong International Airport, an increase of about 293 000 over 1984. General cargo including manufactured goods imported, exported and re-exported by air amounted to 415 800 tonnes. The value of goods transported by air amounted to $94,480 million. Viewed against Hong Kong's total trade in import, export and re-export in terms of value, imports by air made up about 20
per cent, exports about 25 per cent and re-exports about 16 per cent. The United States remained the major market for exports and re-exports by air, taking about 55 per cent and 22 per cent of the trade respectively.
The number of airlines using Hong Kong International Airport and the frequency of their operations remained steady. Throughout the year, 32 airlines operated each week about 1 000 scheduled flights to and from some 75 cities. The air services network covered the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Canada, China, South Africa, India, the Middle East, Australasia and Asia. Several other airlines operated an average of 25 non-scheduled services each week into and out of Hong Kong.
An increase of 4.2 per cent in aircraft movements was recorded during the year, bringing the total to 59 420. More than 80 per cent of the aircraft calling at Hong Kong were of the wide-bodied type. At the end of January, the twice weekly Hong Kong/Port Moresby/Auckland service operated by Air Nuigini in a pool arrangement with Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific Airways was terminated.
In July, Cathay Pacific Airways reintroduced one of its Hong Kong/London services as a non-stop service in both directions. At the same time, the airline introduced non-stop services to and from Frankfurt. In November, British Airways started twice weekly services between Hong Kong and Manchester.
During the year, several local and overseas companies showed an interest in operating scheduled and non-scheduled air services to and from Hong Kong or to set up airlines. In July, Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited, after receiving its air operator's certificate, began non-scheduled services.
The aeronautical authorities of China and the United Kingdom met in Peking in September and in London in November to discuss air services under the arrangements provided in the Civil Air Transport Agreement signed in London in 1979. The talks