ENG-1960 — Page 281

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COMMUNICATIONS

aviation in the years since the war, and of the Colony's determina- tion to maintain its position as the focal point of trade and air routes in the western Pacific. It is thirty six years since flying began from a small grass airfield situated at the northern extremity of Kowloon Bay. This first aerodrome was extended by reclamation in 1927, but it was not until some three years later that civil air services to the Colony first opened, and the Air Services Depart- ment was formed. From that time until the outbreak of war the emphasis was mainly on the expansion of flying boat facilities.

During the Japanese occupation, the airfield was extended by additional reclamation and by the demolition of buildings and hills, and two concrete runways were constructed. After the war, civil air services resumed, and it soon became apparent that with the arrival of more modern types of aircraft, the existing facilities were quite inadequate. A search for an alternative site was fruitless, and a plan was therefore made for the development and-modern- ization of the existing Airport by extensive reclamation. Work on this scheme involved the creation of a promontory 7,800 feet long and 800 feet wide, to be reclaimed entirely from the waters of Kowloon Bay. It began in 1956 and the new runway, 8,350 feet long and stressed to take aircraft weighing up to 400,000 lbs, came into use in September 1958. This allowed the use of the Airport by the most modern jet and prop-jet aircraft now flying on the Pacific routes. The Airport is suitable for both land and sea operations, although at the moment there is no operational need for a base where civil flying boats can alight. An instrument landing system, and other radio and radar navigation and approach aids, have contributed greatly to the safety and regularity of air services to the Colony, and modern airport and approach lighting systems, designed to international standards, have made safe night operations possible in spite of the surrounding hills. Hours of operation are at present limited to eighteen per day, but will be extended to twenty four when the necessary skilled staff can be recruited.

The new terminal apron area can accommodate eleven large aircraft, and has a hydrant refuelling system controlled from a centralized fuel farm. Intensive planning continued during 1960 to ensure that the new terminal building, which is now scheduled for completion in early 1962, will be capable of speedy handling