XN000022-1973-12-21 — Page 15

14

Friday, December 21, 1973

AIRLINE COMPANIES INSTRUCTED TO RESCHEDULE LATE EVENING FLIGHTS

Result of Decision To Change To Summer Time

Following the decision to change to summer time on December 30,

airline companies operating through Hong Kong International Airport have

been instructed to make any necessary re-scheduling of late evening flights

within thirty days.

Commenting on last Wednesday's announcement, the Acting Director

of Civil Aviation, Mr. Brian Keep, said that all airlines were required to

notify their plans for new late schodulez before the introduction of summer

time but because of international obligations some airlines would require

up to four weeks before rescheduling could be completed.

Mr. Keep went on to explain: "This will mean that for just over

two weeks after the change to summer time, we have to face the fact that some

aircraft movements presently taking place between 11 p.m. and midnight

local time, will operate between midnight and 1 a.. due to the advancing of

the clock.

The airlines have been urged to change their schedules at the

earliest possible date and I will ensure that a very valid reason will have

to be given for any aircraft movement that takes place after midnight," he said.

"I am very conscious that instances of noise up to 1 a.m. will cause

sone disturbance due to the change to summer time but I can assure the public

that by January 20, 1974 at the latest, we will be back to normal operations

at the airport," Mr. Keep concluded.

/15