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Saturday, January 27, 1973
CONSULTANTS TO UNDERTAKE LONG-TERM STUDY
Of Hong Kong's Air Transport System
The Government is currently considering the appointment of a firm
of consultants to undertake a long-term planning study of Hong Kong's air
transport system.
The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council has approved in
principle about $6 million for this project, which is expected to take 15
months to complete.
A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department said that subject to
allocation of funds a contract would be signed early this year.
The firm's main concerns will be as follows:
To examine, against the background of what would be the probable unconstrained growth in air traffic and technological developments, the adequacy or otherwise of existing or planned future facilities; and
If this showed that the system would eventually become overloaded, to determine what course of action should be adopted in the best overall interests of Hong Kong.
The spokesman pointed out that studies undertaken by the Director
of Civil Aviation had shown that a number of factors would eventually limit
the ability of the air transport system to cope with the predicted traffic
demand, and that the situation would likely become critical by 1980.
As a result, the Director recommended last year that a comprehensive
investigation should be undertaken with a view to determining Hong Kong's future
needs for air services and the extent of the development of the air transport
system required to meet those needs.
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