AIR TRANSPORT SURVEY

Wednesday, April 4, 1973

A multi-million-dollar contract for a long-term planning study of

Hong Kong's air transport system was signed in the office of the Director

of Civil Aviation this (Wednesday) morning.

A firm of consultants, the Ralph M. Paasons Company of Los Angeles,

will undertake this $3.7 million study.

At the signing ceremony today were Mr. T.R. Thomson, Director

of Civil Aviation, representing the Government, and Mr. J.N. Fehrer,

the company's Contract Manager.

The consultante' main concerns will be to provide:

(a) a forecast of the future demand for air

transport services in Hong Kong, together

with an assessment of the impact and likelihood of external events which could modify that demand;

(b) a thorough assessment of the ultimate capacity of

the present airport and an understanding of the consequences of demand reaching that capacity;

(c) an identification of all viable alternatives to

the present airport in providing facilities for air services and an analysis of the impact of each; and

(a) the formulation of several alternative courses

of action and an analysis and measured prediction of the economic and social costs and benefits to Hong Kong associated with each course of action.

The survey, which will begin this month, is expected to take about

15 months to complete.

A spokesman for the Civil Aviation Department said: "The firm will

be required to submit to the Director of Civil Aviation periodical interim

reports and a final report at the conclusion of the study.

"It is hoped that these reports would then provide the essential

information and analysis necessary to enable the Director to draw up an

overall policy for the future of civil aviation in Hong Kong."

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