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I

00058

AIRWAYS THROUGH HONGKONG

GROWING DEMANDS OF CIVIL AVIATION

2 2 UUT 1946

CLAIMS OF INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC

From Our Hongkong Correspondent

Hongkong owed its pre-eminence as the practically any but typhoon weather. The distribution centre for South China before estimated cost would be about £4,000,000, the war to its geographical position and sale of the Kaitak site.

some of which might be recouped from the its operation as a free port. In the early of Japan, and this project still remains in the Over a year has elapsed since the surrender twenties it was on tonnage returns the planning stage, although the necessity of largest port in the world. Developments Furnishing Hongkong with a modern airport is preceding the spread of world war No. 2 becoming daily more urgent. It was stated to eastern Asia left little doubt that the in the Legislative Council in July that, if the colony was also destined to become the plan were sanctioned by the home Govern junction or terminus for most of the air months.

ment.

construction would require up to 30 traffic in the Far East. Imperial Airways, animate those who should be pressing for an sense of urgency appears to

the American Pan-Pacific Corporation, early decision and for a speeding up in the Chinese National Airways, and the work of construction. Eurasia line all used Hongkong as their months before the collapse of Japan, it is fait If Hongkong had surrendered, say, three terminal port, and arrangements were to assume that airstrips capable of handling the biggest Day. The same speed and dis- bombers would have been in opera- tion before

Deep

Lantan I.

"Pingshan

Sheungshui LEASED

TERRIT

KALTAK AIRFIELD

10 1 2 3 4 5 MILES

being made for French and Netherlands air-lines to operate services into Hong kong. The colony possessed only a small

regard of

of cost cannot, of course, be expected in peace-time, but if Hongkong and

Pish Government at home do not hasten E

the the establishment of suitable

new and modern airfield for en

by aircraft of transcontinental types, the colony may find itself excluded from the main air routes of the Far East. Instead of being the heart of the network of Far Eastern air services Hongkong may be relegated to a secondary status, dependent upon sub- sidiary routes from centres which can provide adequate landing, take-off, and servicing facilities.

The Kaitak airfield is already in daily use when weather permits by R.A.F. and B.O.A.C., C.N.A.C., and C.A.T.C. (successors to The Eurasia Corporation) aircraft, and copes with intermittent services to and from Manila and Japan. It is known that Pan-American Air- ways desire to

operate regular trips into or American air services would follow suit. through Hongkong,

and

it is believed that other adequate accommodation were available,

If

and, by modern standards, quite in-regular services from Australia, as well as adequate airfield at Kaitak in the Leased French and Netherlands services from Indo- Territory. Most of the larger aircraft China and the Netherlands East Indies, would that entered the colony were flying-boats. Aviation Corporation has already sought per- soon be in operation. The China National During the Japanese occupation the mission to use Hongkong as its main winter area of Kaitak airfield was approximately base.

doubled in size by the ruthless destruction

RECOVERY OF TRADE

of buildings in the neighbourhood, in- cluding the hangars and administrative The provision of a really up-to-date airfield, buildings. It was recognized even before with hangars and administrative and servicing the reoccupation of Hongkong by British Some weeks ago most of the R.A.F. planes at buildings, is a matter of increasing urgency. forces that the Kaitak airfield could never Kaitak had to be flown away to Saigon because be reconstructed or expanded in such a of the approach of a typhoon and the lack of manner as to conform to modern aviation hangar accommodation. The ensuing disrup standards. The approach (it is almost tion of services lasted for over a week, and surrounded by hills often enveloped in several planes that did not get away were mist) is always difficult and at times posi-policy continues it is not impossible that the seriously damaged. If the present laissez-faire tively dangerous for modern high-speed Chinese may attempt to meet the increased aeroplanes. Only the American pilots of demand for landing and take-off facilities by the C.N.A.C. (China National Aviation extending their Canton airfield. Such a project Corporation) who flew in and out night would have no hope of competing with after night when Chungking was largely British jurisdiction unless Hongkong delt- modern landing-ground in a free port under isolated from the outside world regarded berately threw away its geographical and other landings and take-offs at Kaitak with advantages by procrastination or indifference. equanimity. It may be doubted whether; Hongkong should, before long, recover its any aviation concern operating new and position as the main shipping centre in the fast four-engined aircraft would entertain Far East, and it would enhance this maritime the idea of regular services in and out of status by becoming the aerial hub of south- Hongkong so long as Kaitak is the only had to face staggering financial burdens as east Asia. A small colony, which has already landing-field.

CHOICE OF A SITE

a result of the Japanese occupation and the looting and destruction of a large percentage of its residential properties, it cannot assume larger airfield was authorized soon after the here is a matter of increasing importance, Preliminary work on the laying out of a the entire financial burden. The Empire, to which the construction of a modern airfield reoccupation by British forces, the first units

of which were R.A.F. construction elements might be expected to come to the colony's A site was selected in the Pingshan Valley in aid either by outright financial grants or by the Leased Territory, but work was suspended guaranteeing whatever loans may have to be when it appeared doubtful whether landing fields are not expected to pay their way for raised to pay for the project. Modern air- strips in this locality would conform to inter- national standards for civil aviation. In many years after completion, but the direct February last a mission headed

Air Com by Ar

mand indirect benefits that they bring cannot

for the Air

Visited the colony and modem sie einer m Hongkong should be reported

on the Pingshan site. regarded as an essential link in British Far Various alternatives have since heen on- Eastern communications and in the round-the- sidered, including the levelling of Stonecutters world services which will soon be operating Island, but expert opinion now favours the under British and other flags with large construction of an entirely new airport, with amounts of cargo as well as human freight. two 3,000-yard runways, in the vicinity of It has already been demonstrated that apples Deep Bay. This project would only require grown in Australia can appear on local break- the expropriation of a few farmers' families, fast tables here within 48 hours of dispatch. most of whom would probably be employed | There are numerous forms of more valuable

modore side it of the Airfield Board be calculated solely in terms of money.

42923/15

*) CT 1948

Miss Rustora

ما

1412 May 20 MR Vite) (13) MA Bigg

B116

2

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Ref.:

CO 537/1427

THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet. Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

2

Page 560Page 561

85

Tet

·OGT 1946

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1

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Ref.:

CO 537/1427 THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES

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N

restrictions. Further information is given in the enclosed Terms and Conditions of supply of National Archives' leaflet

Please note that this copy is supplied subject to the National Archives' terms and conditions and that your use of it may be subject to copyright

sta12/10

مان الله مهم

(13