XN000022-1985-06-16 — Page 3

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SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 1985

AIRPORT EXPANSION KEEPS PACE WITH GROWING TRAFFIC ******

A VITAL $273-MILLION PROGRAMME FOR IMPROVING AND UPGRADING FACILITIES AT HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TO COPE WITH THE DEMAND OF THE NEXT DECADE IS STEADILY GATHERING MOMENTUM.

TO DATE ALMOST $30-MILLION HAS BEEN SPENT ON REPROVISIONING WORK AND ON A TRANSPORT TERMINUS, WHICH IS VIRTUALLY COMPLETE. THE MAIN CONTRACT OF THE STAGE 5 EXPANSION PROGRAMME WILL BEGIN IN SEPTEMBER WITH THE TARGET DATE FOR COMPLETION SET FOR EARLY 1988.

SENIOR ARCHITECT OF THE BUILDING DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. MR ROGER MATTHEWS, WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROJECT SAID THAT IN ORDER TO MINIMISE CONGESTION THAT MIGHT DEVELOP AT PEAK PERIODS, CERTAIN PARTS OF THE EXPANSION SCHEME WOULD BÈ COMMISSIONED EARLIER.

+WE HAVE PHASED WORK IN SUCH A WAY THAT SOME FACILITIES COULD BE MADE USABLE BEFORE THE COMPLETION OF THE MAIN TERMINAL DEVELOPMENT, HE SAID.

THE RECENTLY COMPLETED $8 MILLION TRANSPORT TERMINUS REPLACING THE OLD WESTERN CAR PARK, FOR EXAMPLE, IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN FOR USE NEXT MONTH, HE SAID.

THIS WILL PROVIDE ARRIVING PASSENGERS WITH A COVERED AREA FOR TAXIS, LIMOUSINES AND AIRPORT BUSES AND RELIEVE THE PRESSURE ON THE EXISTING ARRIVALS KERB.

MR MATTHEWS SAID THE TERMINAL BUILDING WILL BE EXTENDED EASTWARD, OVER THE EXISTING TOURIST COACH PARK, INTO THE AREA NOW OCCUPIED BY THE AIRPORT STORES BUILDING WHICH IS BEING REPROVISIONED ELSEWHERE AT THE AIRPORT.

AT THE DEPARTURES LEVEL ON THE FIRST FLOOR TWO NEW CHECK-IN ISLANDS WILL BE PROVIDED, INCREASING BY ABOUT 50 PER CENT TO 176 THE NUMBER OF CHECK-IN COUNTERS IN THE ENTIRE BUILDING,

THE NUMBER OF IMMIGRATION DESKS FOR OUTGOING PASSENGERS WILL BE INCREASED TO MATCH TRAFFIC FLOWS, AND THE LOUNGE AREA WILL ALSO BE EXPANDED.

ADDITIONAL PREMISES FOR SHOPS, CAFES, MONEY CHANGERS AND OTHER FACILITIES WILL ALSO BE EXPANDED.

/AT THE