TRANSPORT
(ATC) equipment and air navigation facilities including radar sensors, radar data processing and flight data processing systems, navigational aids and communication. systems were installed. The system integration and final acceptance testing of these equipment and facilities were completed in October.
The first landing at the new HKIA by a Government Flying Service Super King Air fixed wing aircraft on February 20, 1997 — represented a major milestone in the Airport Core Programme.
The CAD has maintained close liaison with the civil aviation authorities of the Mainland and Macau in relation to the development of flight procedures and ATC co-ordination arrangements. In June 1997, the three parties signed the 'Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Flight Procedures and Air Traffic Matters in the Pearl River Delta Area'. It basically sets out the revised flight procedures in the region upon the opening of the new airport. The MOU was confirmed at the plenary meeting of the Hong Kong and Mainland Cross-Boundary Major Infrastructure Co-ordinating Committee in October.
It was agreed at the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group (JLG) in June 1997 that from July 1, 1997, aircraft registered in Hong Kong would use 'B', the unified nationality mark of China, as their nationality mark but they could continue to use a group of three letters beginning with the letter 'H' as their registration mark. To allow time for Hong Kong airlines to amend the nationality marks on their aircraft, it was also agreed that there would be a six-month transitional period from July 1 to December 31, 1997, during which either 'B' or 'VR' could be used as the nationality marks for aircraft registered in Hong Kong on or before June 30, 1997. The change of nationality mark to 'B' was completed in early December.
Improvements to the Kai Tak Airport
Continuous improvements in the facilities for the users of the Kai Tak Airport include: two designated smoking lounges with enhanced ventilation system were provided at the airside departures area in February to cater for the need of passengers; 13 colour monitors were installed at the public departures area in the same month to display up-to-the minute information to assist passengers in locating their check-in counters; the VIP Suite was expanded in June, adding an extra of 560 sq.m. to the existing facility to meet increasing demand; and the runway capacity was increased from 30 to 31 movements per hour in October 1997.
An aircraft noise and flight track monitoring system was installed in June to help evaluate the track keeping performance and noise impact of flights operating to and from the Kai Tak Airport. In the same month, a telephone hotline service was launched for handling aircraft noise complaints and inquiries.
To enhance the security protection and access control of airport restricted areas, an integrated access control system was commissioned in September. Also, a Mobile Command Unit was provided in the same month for use in the event of airport emergencies.
Air Services
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) is home to three international airlines. Cathay Pacific Airways (CPA), the largest of the three, concentrated its expansion in 1997 by increasing frequencies on existing routes. To
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