XN000022-1983-03-13 — Page 2

SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1983

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HONG KONG AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT PLAN STUDIED

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THE CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT IS SPEEDING UP ITS STUDIES TO DEFINE FURTHER THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF THE EXPANSION AND

IMPROVEMENT WORK ON THE FACILITIES AT THE HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY.

IN THE LIGHT OF THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT THAT NO FURTHER CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN IN THE NEAR FUTURE TO A REPLACEMENT AIRPORT AT CHEK LAP KOK, IT IS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THAT THE AIRPORT WILL HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ACCOMMODATE THE EXPECTED TRAFFIC DURING THE NEXT TEN YEARS, HE SAID.

THE CONCEPTUAL PLAN IN HAND IS TO INCREASE THE PASSENGER HANDLING CAPACITY FROM 10 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR TO ABOUT 18 MILLION PASSENGERS A YEAR.

THE PLAN CALLS FOR FURTHER EXPANSION (STAGE V) OF THE TERMINAL BUILDING -- A TWO-LEVEL EXTENSION TO THE EAST INCORPORATING NEW DEPARTURES CHECK-IN FACILITIES ON THE FIRST FLOOR AND EXPANDED ARRIVALS AND GROUP HANDLING AREAS ON THE GROUND LEVEL.

IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE EXTENSION TO THE TERMINAL WILL

TIE IN DIRECTLY WITH THE EXISTING BUILDING.

ON THE FIRST-FLOOR DEPARTURES LEVEL, THE ELEVATED ROAD ACCESS WILL BE EXTENDED TO SERVE THE ENTIRE FRONTAGE OF THE EXTENDED BUILDING.

TWO NEW CHECK-IN ISLANDS WILL BE SPACED FURTHER AWAY FROM THE EXISTING ISLANDS SO THAT A SIMPLIFIED DEPARTURES BAGGAGE HANDLING SYSTEM CAN BE INCORPORATED ON THE GROUND LEVEL OF THE NEW BUILDING. CURRENTLY, DEPARTURES BAGGAGE IS PROCESSED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE EXISTING TERMINAL WHICH HAS ALREADY BECOME CONGESTED.

THE DEPARTURES LEVEL EXTENSION WILL ALSO PROVIDE SPACE FOR NEW SHOPS, SEATING AREAS, TOILETS AND OFFICES.

EXPANSION OF OUTWARDS IMMIGRATION FACILITIES IS PLANNED TO CATER FOR THE INCREASED PASSENGER FLOW, AND THE AIRSIDE LOUNGE AREA ADJACENT TO THE AIRCRAFT GATES WILL BE INCREASED.

NO ADDITIONAL INNER-BAY AIRCRAFT PARKING POSITIONS SERVED BY AEROBRIDGES CAN BE ACCOMMODATED DUE TO LACK OF SPACE, BUT NEW HOLDING AREAS/BUS DOCKS FOR ACCESS TO AND FROM AIRCRAFT PARKED ON THE OUTER BAYS WILL BE PROVIDED.

IN THE GROUND-FLOOR ARRIVALS AREA, MORE BAGGAGE RECLAIM LOOPS WILL BE PROVIDED, IN ADDITION TO EXPANDED IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS CHECKING FACILITIES.

THE EXISTING GROUP HANDLING AND COACH LOADING AREA WILL BE RELOCATED FURTHER TO THE EAST AS A RESULT OF THIS EXPANSION, AND SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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