TRANSPORT
254
Civil Aviation
Passenger traffic and cargo throughput at Hong Kong International Airport continued to grow during the year. A total of 29.6 million passengers passed through the terminal, which was 7.8 per cent more than the 27.4 million in 1995.
Some 1.56 million tonnes of cargo, valued at 593.8 billion, were handled, representing an increase of 2.3 per cent when compared with 1.45 million tonnes, valued at $563.8 billion, in 1995. Air transport continues to play an important role in Hong Kong's external trade in that goods carried by air account for about 22 per cent, 33 per cent and 15 per cent, in value terms, of Hong Kong's total imports, exports and re-exports, respectively. The USA remains the major market for exports and re-exports by air, accounting for 33 per cent and 23 per cent, respectively.
An increase of 5.8 per cent in aircraft movements was recorded in 1996, bringing the annual total to 158 797, of which 80 per cent were wide-bodied aircraft. The first Boeing B777 aircraft was entered into the Hong Kong register in May and at the end of the year the total number of these aircraft had risen to four.
Throughout the year, the Civil Aviation Department of Hong Kong maintained a close liaison with the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the Civil Aviation Authority of Macau to ensure a safe and efficient air traffic management in the Pearl River Delta. The air traffic control arrangements among Hong Kong, Macau, Shenzhen and Zhuhai Airports were well co-ordinated.
Preparation for the opening of the new airport at Chek Lap Kok gathered momentum in 1996. The super-structure of the Air Traffic Control Complex building was completed in May. Some 20 new items of air traffic control equipment were being installed and tested. After equipment testing and acceptance, conversion training for air traffic control staff will start in mid-1997.
Improvements to the Airport
Strong growth in air traffic put the airport at Kai Tak under tremendous pressure. Several improvement works were completed and new ones commenced in 1996 with a view to enabling the airport to handle the anticipated traffic growth during Kai Tak's remaining life.
Measures to improve the air traffic control system at Kai Tak were instituted to cope with the increase in air traffic at Kai Tak as well as overflying Hong Kong. During the year, 50 additional air traffic control staff were recruited and trained. A new roster system for controllers was implemented in January. The computers of the radar data processing and flight data processing systems were upgraded in June to increase their capacities. With these enhancements, the runway capacity was increased from 29 to 30 per hour from mid-July.
A computerised check-in counter allocation system was developed and commissioned in October to help airport management staff plan and allocate the limited number of check-in counters more efficiently.
The outsize baggage facilities were modified and expanded to provide four additional check-in counters. The arrival greeting hall was also expanded in July to relieve congestion during peak periods. The departure Immigration Hall was expanded in October to provide a more spacious environment for departing passengers.
Page 330Page 331