ENG-1981 — Page 297

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Hub of the East

Hong Kong International Airport is one of the busiest in the world: every two and a half minutes during peak periods there is an aircraft movement and some 200 pas- sengers are processed. The ultra-modern facilities now available are a far cry from the humble advent of airport operations some 50 years ago when reclaimed land in Kowloon Bay was rented as a landing field for the inauguration of air services between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. It was not until 1932 that regular international services started with 1 185 passengers recorded for the year. Today, the airport handles some seven million passengers and almost 300 000 tonnes of freight a year with 31 airlines operating 960 scheduled passenger and cargo services each week. Another 15 other airlines also operate about 35 non-scheduled weekly services to and from the airport with about 70 per cent of all aircraft calling at Hong Kong being the wide-bodied type. After a four- stage development scheme spanning the last two decades, the airport reached a new milestone in late 1981 with completion of its long-term building programme, which provides enlarged arrival and departure facilities. Information on arrivals and departures of aircraft is given on both computerised display boards and closed circuit television.

Previous page: The airport apron has been enlarged to accommodate up to 33 aircraft at any one time. Left: Each airline has its own liquor and tobacco supplies kept in bondage at the airport; more than 9000 various items are taken on board each flight for passenger enjoyment; computers are used to service airlines with upwards of 20 000 meals daily for outgoing flights.