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"The continued efficiency of the airport contributes to the further development of our economy and serves our community, including the travelling public, businessmen, manufacturers, as well as a large number of overseas tourists who visit the territory," he added.
Last year, more than 9.3 million visitors came to Hong Kong by air, contributing to a total visitor spending of $64 billion and creating jobs for more than 200,000 people. In 1994, a total of $448 billion worth of cargo was shipped into and out of Hong Kong by air.
Hong Kong International Airport is now the fourth busiest airport in the world in terms of international passengers.
In July this year, its annual passenger throughput reached 26.4 million, well exceeding the terminal design capacity of 24 million passengers.
At present, there are 63 airlines providing about 3,000 flights to some 100 destinations worldwide each week.
Mr Tsang said: "Efficient air links were one of the reasons why so many companies have chosen Hong Kong as their base."
During his tour of the airport, Mr Tsang visited the Air Traffic Control Tower. He agreed that more sophisticated radar equipment should be added to enable more efficient use of the airspace.
At the passenger terminal building, he inspected passenger and baggage security screening systems and the departure immigration control points.
He also saw the newly-installed Interline Baggage Sorting System and a wide- range of equipment and vehicles used for operational purposes at the airfield.
End/Friday, September 29, 1995
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