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An advanced computerised radar data processing and display system to enhance the efficiency of the Hong Kong air-traffic control services was commissioned in April. A set of new air-traffic control simulators to match the new system was brought into use in October.
A second air cargo terminal has been under construction by the Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (HACTL) during 1989. With its completion scheduled for the middle of 1991, it will more than double the existing air cargo-handling capacity of about 720 000 annual tonnes.
In June 1989, Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) for passenger check-in was fully installed in the passenger terminal. The introduction of CUTE has improved check-in processing and provided flexibility in check-in counter utilisation.
Improved passenger facilities were provided with the opening of a new restaurant and snack bars, together with other retail facilities in the Stage V extension to the passenger terminal.
In November, a 'Disabled Aircraft Recovery System' was delivered. It comprises a series of sophisticated, self-powered trailers which will significantly enhance the ability of the Civil Aviation Department to speedily remove an aircraft disabled on the runway.
Planning work continued on major long-term improvements to the passenger terminal building. Work is expected to commence in April 1990 and will include refurbishing of the air-conditioning, check-in desks and the departure baggage system.
The latest version of the B747, the 400 series, arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport in March. The aircraft is notable by its wingspan of 211 feet, an increase of 16 feet over the standard B747.
On May 21, after the passage of Typhoon ‘Brenda', all air traffic records were broken when the arrival of the previous day's diverted and rescheduled flights, added to the normal scheduled traffic, generated 385 aircraft movements and 60 853 passengers in an 18-hour period.
Passenger throughput and cargo traffic continued to grow in 1989. There were 16.2 million passengers, representing an increase of six per cent over the total of 15.3 million in the previous year. General cargo, including manufactured goods imported, exported and re-exported by air, totalled 730 000 tonnes compared with 694 000 tonnes in 1988. The value of airborne goods totalled $234,196 million. Viewed against Hong Kong's total trade in imports, exports and re-exports, imports by air made up about 20 per cent, exports by air about 29 per cent and re-exports by air about 16 per cent in value terms. The United States remained the major market for exports and re-exports by air, accounting for 42 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.
An increase of 8.4 per cent in aircraft movements was recorded, bringing the annual total to 94 300. More than 80 per cent of the aircraft calling at Hong Kong were wide- bodied types.
The year saw the re-introduction by Air Niugini of scheduled air services between Port Moresby and Hong Kong in March, the takeover of British Caledonian Airways' services to Hong Kong by British Airways at the end of March, and the takeover of Flying Tigers in August by Federal Express.
Throughout 1989, Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA) continued to develop its frequency and capacity to major cities, commencing scheduled services to Manchester in October. To cope with the increasing scale of its operations, CPA acquired three L1011s, two B747-400s and one B747 freighter. By the end of 1989, its fleet comprised 17 L1011s, eight B747-200s, six B747-300s, two B747-400s and three B747 freighters.