ENG-1956 — Page 274

COMMUNICATIONS

223

administrative and operational facilities provided are under the control of the Director of Civil Aviation, who has a small staff of specialist officers experienced in all facets of Civil Aviation. Approximately 93% of the total staff of the depart- ment is locally recruited, training facilities being available for all officers to enable them to keep abreast with modern developments in aviation.

Civil Aviation Services provided at Hong Kong Airport include :-Air Traffic Control; Air Sea Rescue, Fire and Crash Services; Aeronautical Information; Air Registration Board Surveys; Aeronautical Meteorological Information; Aeronautical Engineering, repairs, overhauls and mainte- nance (by the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Co. Ltd.); and Primary Flying Training and Aeronautical Engineering and Electronics Training (by the Far East Flying Training School).

Plans and work, as may be seen from the illustrations elsewhere in the Report, are well advanced on the develop- ment of a new airport which will permit 24 hours operation and use by the new jet aircraft expected to be flying on the world major air routes by 1958. It is also hoped to complete the installation of modern navigational aids to coincide with the opening of the new runway in August 1958. On the construction and financial side of the new airport the Govern- ment is advised by a firm of Consulting Engineers, a firm of Consulting Electricians, an Airport Terminal Building Committee and an Airport Progress Committee. It has now been decided that the new runway should be 8,340 feet in length instead of the 7,200 feet originally planned.

All air services to Hong Kong Airport are of an inter- national character, and 15 airlines, including two local air- lines, operate air services connecting Hong Kong with principal world air routes, at a frequency of 134 flights to and from Hong Kong per week.