TRANSPORT
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Air transport continues to play an important part in Hong Kong's external trade. Goods carried by air accounted for about 26.3 per cent, 33 per cent and 20.5 per cent, in value terms, of Hong Kong's total imports, exports and re-exports respectively in 1999. The United States remained the major market for exports and re-exports by air, accounting for 35.7 per cent and 25.1 per cent respectively.
Hong Kong International Airport and the Airport Authority
The Airport Authority (AA) continues to make efforts to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of the HKIA, both in preparation for the challenges of the new millennium and to fulfil the airport's role as key infrastructure for the economic well-being of Hong Kong.
A new Board of the Airport Authority was appointed on June 1, with Dr Victor Fung Kwok-king as the Chairman. A restructuring of the AA management was also implemented.
Recognising the competition from other airports in the region, the Government and the AA have taken steps to improve the financial position of the Authority. These included the removal of the requirement for the AA to pay the cost of the Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting Service and the reduction of operating costs as well as identification of new sources of commercial revenue by the AA. As a result, the AA will reduce aircraft landing and parking charges by 15 per cent with effect from January 1, 2000. This provides scope for airlines to improve or expand services to and from Hong Kong.
The AA has also adopted a package of measures to further increase the competitive edge of the HKIA and to strengthen its position as the premier aviation hub. In particular, the AA has invited expressions of interest for the operation of a marine cargo terminal for direct access to and from the Pearl River Delta and development of logistics centres on the airport island.
In 1999, on average 470 aircraft landed at or departed from the HKIA daily. The airport demonstrated its remarkable capability when it served 122 000 passengers and handled 7 900 tonnes of cargo without difficulty on September 17, the day after Hong Kong was hit by Typhoon York with resultant disruption to air traffic.
The Second Runway
The second runway, i.e. the North Runway, was brought into operation during the year. It marked a major milestone in the development of Hong Kong's civil aviation. The second runway was declared open for contingency use from April 12. By May 26, it was available for daily operations during the peak traffic period from 10 am to 4 pm. By August 30, it was opened for 24-hour operation. It was rated Instrument Landing System Category III, as a result of which aircraft equipped with appropriate instrumentation and piloted by appropriately rated flight crews can land on the runway in virtually all weather conditions.
The second runway has added extra capacity and flexibility to airport operations. With dual runway operation in place, the runway capacity increased from 37 to 40 movements per hour with effect from October. Both runways are designed to cater for the new generation Ultra Large Aircraft. Initially the second runway is used mainly for landings and the first runway (i.e. South Runway) for departures. In the