TRANSPORT
scheduled all-cargo services between Milan and Hong Kong. Royal Air Cambodge also suspended its scheduled passenger services to Hong Kong in October.
Air Traffic Control
The overall air traffic control (ATC) equipment system continued to perform in a stable and reliable manner during the year. At present, the system has a capacity to cope with 50 runway movements per hour. With more than three years of working experience, a number of major ATC equipment systems will be enhanced for better operational efficiency and higher data processing capabilities so as to handle effectively the projected increase in air traffic movements in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta area. Funds amounting to $50.7 million were approved by the Legislative Council's Finance Committee in February. The enhancements are being carried out in phases and targeted for completion in early 2003.
Meanwhile, the existing Route Surveillance Radar (RSR) at Mount Parker, a long- range primary radar, has been in use for more than 22 years and is approaching the end of its operational life. Approval was also obtained from the Legislative Council's Finance Committee in February to replace the RSR at a cost of $104.7 million. Tender evaluation is under way with contract award targeted in early 2002. The replacement RSR is scheduled to be commissioned by end-2003.
Under the auspices of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), an agreement was reached between China and Vietnam in respect of the reorganisation of airspace over the South China Sea. On November 1, the air route structure over the South China Sea area was revised. New direct air traffic services routes were implemented to replace some of the previous routes for increased air traffic management efficiency and capacity. Simultaneously, a new Sanya Area of Responsibility (AOR) was established to take over the provision of air traffic services. within portions of the Hong Kong Flight Information Region and Area of Responsibility. As a result, the overall quality of service as well as the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations in the South China Sea area were enhanced with the provision of radar service and Very High Frequency communication services in the Sanya AOR. Throughout the planning and implementation process, the CAD maintained close co-ordination and a good working relationship with neighbouring aviation authorities and international aviation agencies, including the ICAO and the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
To follow up the recommendations of the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority (UKCAA) which was invited to review the ATC system in Hong Kong in 2000, the CAD continued to refine the management and organisation of the Air Traffic Management Division (ATMD), the ATC incident investigation procedures, and ATC staff training and operations. Improvement measures taken include stepping up the monitoring of front-line operations by introducing additional supervisory staff, refining the ATC incident investigation procedures so that staff involved can be reinstated to operational duties in a shorter time frame, implementing a Safety Management System (SMS) to ensure the highest safety standard can be maintained in the face of increased traffic and complexity.
To ensure the provision of efficient ATC services in the Pearl River Delta area, the CAD continued to maintain close liaison with the civil aviation authorities of the Mainland and Macau. In 2001, a series of tripartite meetings on ATC operations was held to refine the flight procedures of airports in the area, including Hong Kong,
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